Welcome to Pomona: The Future Home of Sky-High Dreams and Low-Key Living
Pomona has a grand vision for downtown that includes buildings soaring to a head-turning 12 stories, live-work spaces for artists, and parklets that invite you to dine in nature, because who doesn’t want a side of fresh air with their avocado toast?
This isn’t just downtown; it’s a pop-up restaurant paradise ready to unleash art into the public spaces. Honestly, who needs privacy when you can sip your latte next to a sculpture titled “Existential Crisis”? Well, folks, this delightful update comes courtesy of Pomona’s Downtown Specific Plan— a 167-page manifesto of urban dreams, which is presumably written with enough legalese to make your eyes glaze over.
The document, released with no shortage of fanfare, will dictate design choices so that developers can sprint through the approval maze—if their projects align with the city’s wishes, that is. In this spirit of cooperation, just remember: “no new uses or density increases” is not an acceptable answer if you want your project to stand taller than your neighbor’s garage.
Mapping the Future: ‘Zoning Joy’ Edition
Covering a staggering territory from Mission Boulevard to Center Street, and from Towne Avenue to White Avenue, this draft document is like a DIY map to the urban future that nobody asked for but everyone might end up using. Ata Khan, Pomona’s senior planner, puts it succinctly: “This initiative reflects the whims of trends and market demands,” because apparently those things can be whimsically consulted to shape the future.
Among the many gems proposed, small-scale manufacturers could make their grand debut downtown. Think the Blue Bottle Coffee shop—coffee in front, artisanal coffee-making wizardry in back! Why brew your average cup of joe at home when you can enjoy it alongside a riveting industrial soundtrack?
Time to Pop Up or Shut Up
Say goodbye to outdated temporary use regulations that haven’t seen a proper update since the dawn of the ‘Mad Men’ era. The proposed plan suggests a marvelous 60-day pop-up permit for retail or restaurants. Because let’s face it, what’s the point of having empty storefronts when you can let tenants moonlight like star performers desperate for applause?
This initiative aims to activate those vacant deer-in-headlights spaces landlords are hoping will eventually turn into something other than urban legends. Why not give your fledgling eatery a 60-day stage? Who knows—maybe avocado toast will finally reach the third act!
Districting: Not Just for Geography Nerds Anymore
Ah, district-based zoning! The plan introduces four distinct areas, each tailored to specific uses—think of them as delightful dioramas of what urban fantasy could become. The central business district, for example, will be overrun with 12-story buildings, where retail and dense housing frolic together like a couple of carefree bunnies looking for a plot twist.
Does your heart yearn for history? The institutional district will reportedly play nice with Western University officials and their ever-ambitious long-term dreams. Apparently, the goal is to attract students who prefer to caffeinate within city limits. After all, why settle for studying in a friendly local coffee shop when you can have a fully functional commercial village tailored just for you?
Housing: The Great Artist Rescue Mission
Now, for those sensitive souls who’ve devoted their lives to art: Pomona is taking baby steps toward affordable housing specifically for you. George Cuttress, a business advocate in downtown, insists that “affordable arts housing is critical.” Because, naturally, a culture of creativity can survive only when artists aren’t evicted for wanting to live near their own canvases. The battle for affordable artist lofts has begun; grab your popcorn!
Ed Tessier of Arteco Partners took center stage at a workshop to plead the case for a “mix” of low-to-moderate income housing. His message? “Downtown is not some snobby neighborhood; it’s the wild west of affordability!” Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Pomona, where art meets housing policy in a passionately delightful dance-off.
Finding Funding: Literally Running Out of Time
Let’s not forget the $220,000 Metro grant financing this urban escapade; the clock is ticking, and Pomona bravely requested a six-month extension to keep this show on the road. The Urban Planning team’s efforts are commendable, transforming a “broken process” into something resembling a fine-tuned machine waiting for approval. We’re talking about a potential revival of dreams long buried in meetings resembling a never-ending sitcom, complete with dramatic music cues.
The Planning Commission will have the final say next month, but don’t get too comfortable—this is Pomona, after all. What’s a city without a few plot twists? Buckle up, folks; we’re in for a wild ride in the journey toward a newly imagined downtown.
