Modernizing M ill Street Civic Design for a Bright Future

Downtown Grass Valley is currently experiencing something of a renaissance. Underway is a cultural and structural revitalization that will modernize the town center, while maintaining its historical gold country charm. Together with recent major renovations to The Center for the Arts and the Holbrooke Hotel, the landmark Mill Street Improvement Project will make downtown Grass Valley a more vibrant place for locals and visitors to gather in the years to come.

The Mill Street project originated in 2020, during the uncertain days of the COVID-19 lockdown. In an effort to support local restaurants, the city issued an ordinance closing two blocks of Mill Street to vehicular traffic, and allowing outdoor dining in the street. People began to congregate again, to stroll and shop and dine in the heart of Grass Valley. The plentiful outdoor seating and freshly installed planters were widely appreciated, so much so that talk of making the street closure permanent began almost immediately.

The City of Grass Valley prepared an initial concept for the closure and put the project out to bid for a design/ build team to complete. A local team comprised of Wallis Design Studio Architects, Sierra Foothills Construction Company, Millennium Planning and Engineering, and C&D Contractors, among others, was selected to complete the design and construction. In collaboration with City staff, this team has worked tirelessly to achieve the goals of the project, while keeping construction on schedule, in budget, and minimizing impacts to downtown businesses.

Among those leading the effort is Robert Wallis, a Grass Valley-based architect who believes there are social, economic, and aesthetic reasons to give the downtown area a refreshed look. Robert and team have been working since last May to create an updated and inclusive outdoor space that will offer something for everyone. At the offices of Wallis Design Studio Architects, Robert and his staff work to deliver high-quality projects within Nevada County through thoughtful collaboration between the architect, the client, and a carefully chosen team of partners. Their efforts in meaningful placemaking have resulted in a plenitude of local buildings that reflect the look and feel of this beautiful foothill community.

The firm was an obvious choice to help create a contemporary design for Mill Street that preserves the spirit of Grass Valley, while increasing traffic to local businesses, and providing an attractive space for community and cultural activities. When the project is finished, it will feature a cobblestone pedestrian plaza, natural stone planters, seating for open air dining, designated vendor areas for street fairs, and modernized infrastructure — a win for the City, the project team, and the community.