Help Decide How to Revitalize Carlsbad's Village

Residents and merchants in the ’s downtown Village are invited to a “Village Revitalization Kickoff” Monday to learn about the next steps in improving the city’s historic center. 

The event will be hosted by the Carlsbad Village Association and Urban Place Consulting Group, which has been hired by the City of Carlsbad to develop a private, non-governmental organization that will continue the Village's revitalization effort.

The , a Village residents and merchants group, is partnering with Urban Place in the effort. The Village Revitalization Kickoff will take place Monday, May 21, between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., at the , 2822 State St.

A reception will follow from 6:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. Ashley Westman, Urban Place’s project manager, said the group is in its information-gathering stage and is eager to share its ideas and listen to others.  

“We’ve got our idea board up in our office, and we welcome people to come in and throw their thoughts and suggestions up on the board,” Westman said. Urban Place moved into their "workshop" at 530-A Grand Ave. in March. The Carlsbad Village Association will also share the space. Steve Gibson, Urban Place’s president, will give a presentation Monday. Jay Corrales, president of the Carlsbad Village Association, will join him. Westman said the group is already working on ideas to enhance the Village experience, such as turning benches around to face the sidewalk, rather than the street, and installing more bicycle racks. 

“We're planning a pilot bike rack program and we’ll look at getting help from SANDAG for more bike racks,” Westman said. SANDAG, the San Diego Association of Governments, conducts regional transportation planning and funds transportation projects. 

The Village encompasses approximately 200 acres of the City of Carlsbad in the oldest part of the city. It represents Carlsbad’s original and current “downtown” area and is unique for its oceanfront location and historic relevance.  

The city’s vision for the Village is as a family-friendly destination that is both pedestrian and bicycle oriented, where people’s jobs, homes and recreation are within a short walk of each other.   

The current revitalization effort will include the city’s historic barrio area, which was not part of the original Village redevelopment area. Urban Place has helped 34 downtown associations, business improvement districts and cities throughout the United States, and has demonstrated expertise in creating downtowns and commercial districts that are vibrant, healthy, and sustainable. Startup funds for the revitalization effort are provided by the City of Carlsbad. The goal is to create a downtown organization that will be self-sustaining.

–City of Carlsbad

What would you like to see changed in the Village? Tell us in comments.