As the centerpiece of a revitalized town center, FTS’ redesign of Castro Street has been a catalyst for redevelopment in downtown Mountain View. The main street was reconfigured from a 4-lane arterial to a 3-lane pedestrian-oriented street with special “flexible zones.” These zones, which can be used on demand either as patio space for an outdoor café or as curbside parking, give a distinct identity to the district.

Before

Castro Street was wide and auto-oriented prior to reconstruction.

• 2/3-mile long, 4 lane street with parallel parking within 80’ and 90’ right-of-ways
• Low rents and numerous business vacancies
• Area was desolate after dark

Assignment

• Create a unique pedestrian-oriented environment to support the downtown economy.
• Improve scale and lighting to create a memorable “public living room” for Mountain View.
• “Heal” the proportions of the street to encourage drivers to slow down.

Outcomes

• Converted unneeded traffic lanes into flexible zones that can accommodate outdoor dining space, curbside parking, or other uses. These zones help support downtown restaurants - the key generators of downtown economic activity.
• Redesign has allowed the creation of over a dozen outdoor cafés where none were previously possible.
• The project was recognized in a 1993 San Francisco Chapter AIA Honor Award for Downtown Mountain View’s revitalization.
• Profiled in Great Streets by Allan B. Jacobs.

In collaboration with:

Mark Thomas & Co., Inc., Andrea Cochran, Cathy Ashley, Sugimura Associates, DKS Engineering, The Engineering Enterprise