DOWNTOWN DISTRICT

The Downtown District is bookended by the station area to the south and the Community Anchor to the north. This district will have carefully curated infill development that has a distinctly different character than the two anchor districts that flank it on either side.

The Specific Plan seeks to build on the existing fine-grain fabric of the Downtown core and envisions it as a walkable district for shopping, dining, entertaining, gathering, working, and living, thus establishing it as a vibrant activity hub offering a unique experience.

It will have diverse uses ranging from restaurants, small shops, community serving retail, community gathering and small event spaces, small offices, and residences on the upper floors to support daytime and evening activity. While Broadway will continue to serve as the spine of the downtown district, the perpendicular streets between Victoria Avenue and Meadow Glen will have active uses on the ground floor including shopping, dining, and entertainment.

The Specific Plan proposes streetscape enhancements to create a cohesive, clean, and vibrant downtown district that defines Millbrae’s unique identity and brand in the region. Proposed improvements include wider sidewalks with street planting, landscaping, outdoor dining, lighting, furnishings, paving, gateway elements, and public art. The Plan envisions a network of outdoor public spaces such as small parks, plazas, paseos and parklets integrated with active ground floor programming, that encourage spontaneous social interaction and bring the community together. Additionally, the plan proposes using streets, and public and private parking lots for temporary programming such as farmer’s market, pop-up music events, street fairs, performing arts festivals, etc.

The downtown district will serve as a place for the community to come together, fostering the idea of a downtown for all ages. Improved circulation focusing on pedestrian linkages and crossing improvements at El Camino Real and clear pedestrian connections to the Inter-modal Station will draw pedestrian traffic from the Station Area and El Camino Real to the downtown.

DISCLAIMER: This image is for representation purposes only. It is a conceptual massing model, not a final built-out model.