For almost 50 years, streams of people have stepped through the restaurant's towering glass door into its light-filled threshold, where a series of polished wooden steps unfolds, leading to the dining room with its walls of windows and the brass-topped bar where a waterfall gently spills behind rows of neatly shelved bottles. Outside, a two-tiered deck overlooks the Tahoe City Marina and, beyond the boat slips, a panoramic view of Lake Tahoe.
The dilapidated Hilltop Mall on Richmond's northside is poised for a major makeover but city leadership, staff, nearby residents and the property owner are still divided on what exactly it should be. A draft of the Hilltop Horizon Specific Plan, a regulatory planning document meant to guide the development of 143 acres of Richmond land, was presented to the City Council Tuesday and drew support from community members who want the city to dream boldly, and pushback from others who think its vision is unrealistic.
The proposed development is for more than just a music venue. It's for a nine-story, mixed-use building with 139 residential units, 20% of which will be affordable, and 7,100 square feet of ground floor retail space. In the same intersection, the other three corners are set to be redeveloped as well, with a 96-room hotel (without dedicated parking) also in the works.
The $200 million redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory aims to transform the building into a regional destination with various facilities, including a 17,000-seat event center.
"I did double check, and I'm very, very satisfied," Ford said, firmly asserting confidence in the deal despite concerns about Therme's misrepresentation during the bidding process.
"While neighbors voiced complaints at the meeting and in comments submitted with the petition over common issues like traffic safety and parking capacity, the main driver of opposition to the rezoning is mineral."
