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The old Danville Hotel area is rundown, acknowledged Mayor Mike Doyle recently, but be patient. New plans are on the drawing board for the central location.
“It is an eyesore but due to hard economic times it is difficult,” Doyle said. “The Danville Hotel developers and the town are working together and hopefully will come up with something soon.”
One by one, businesses have moved out of the structures, which were built in the 1950s as part of a revitalization of the downtown in Wild West mode. The Danville Territories, as they were known, reach from Hartz Avenue to Railroad, and the buildings are slowly succumbing to neglect.
The red gingerbread Danville Hotel Restaurant opened in the 1950s with its popular Silver Dollar Saloon; the latest occupant was Celia’s, a Mexican restaurant that closed several years ago. Now shabby curtains can be seen through peeling windows.
Owner Thomas Baldacci of Castle Companies began working on ideas for the site in 2001, and plans were developed for a three-story structure with residential condos, commercial offices, retail stores and an underground parking garage.
“Our intention was to try to reach as much of a mixed variety as we could,” said Baldacci.
The Planning Commission, Heritage Resource Commission and Historic Design Review Committee held hearings, and the town changed zoning to allow mixed uses on the site. But development was stalled due to bad economic times, said Baldacci.
Now he and the town are again considering the project, but the plans have changed.
“It will not be a three-story building, and there will be no underground parking,” said Baldacci. “It will be significantly scaled back.”
“I think the third story was uncomfortable for a lot of people although it is zoned for that option,” he added. “But it seemed ahead of its time.”
Even with the smaller development, financing is tenuous.
“In this environment, with a total collapse in commercial real estate lending, to do this project is going to be very difficult,” Baldacci said. “At this point, the process is we’ll work with the town and see, in fact, if through the consensus of the design we can go forward and try to get financing for the project.”
Before pursuing lending, he needs a plan he knows he can forward with, he noted. “No lender is going to accept a conceptual plan,” he said. “They are going to look for a plan that they believe is going to occur.”
Baldacci said he is getting input from all the town departments, commissions and council members.
“What we’re trying to do is collectively come up with a plan everyone is proud of and happy to go forward with,” said Baldacci. “The irony of it is, once we agree and everything is done, I have to go out and get financing for it.”
“I’m dedicated to doing a first-class job there,” he added. “The Town of Danville has an outstanding planning staff. I think that if there’s a way to get it done, the town will be able to make something happen.”
The site is home to two of the town’s heritage resources: the historic Danville Hotel, now Sideboard Cafe and the Polka Dot Attic; and the McCauley House, currently vacant but most recently occupied by a wine store. The businesses and buildings on Hartz Avenue will remain the same.
This proper design of this project is critical to downtown Danville. The idea of residential units on Hartz is concerning. There can be promise upon promise to include in the future CC&R’s notfication that Hartz Avenue is closed so many times a year for street fairs, Hot Summer Nights and community events, but putting residential units on this streets opens the possibility for these future residents to complain about noise, vandalism and impact to thier living space as a result of the street fairs ect. The street fairs and community events along Hartz Avenue are important to our Town. Castle Companies has made quite a sum of money off Danville in the past. They have developed numerous residential and commercial projects. It is imparative that the Town Staff, Planning Commission and Council insure that the plan for this property does not lessen our ability to gather along Hartz as a community and that Castle Companies is required to meet the needs of the community on this one.
If you have not been following this project, I encourage you to do so.
I am excited to learn that responsible renovation and redevelopment of the Danville Hotel property is progressing. The property is a key element of our downtown and its renewal has the potential to provide a boost to the area and the community. I personally love the idea of adding residential units on the property. Those units would be ideally suited to anyone desiring a lifestyle less dependent on a car with shopping, entertainment and the Iron Horse Trail nearby. I am pleased to see the owner of the property still interested in investing in its future despite the economic times. Thanks to all involved in trying to improve this property.
The development better keep right with the history and character of this town, or it will be fought tooth and nail
Best scenario: Use the property to expand the Danville/San Ramon Valley Museum complex. Annex the proprerty to the Railroad Museum across the street and use the facility to promote our neighborhoods’ vitality through exhibits as well as construction of new facilities designed as a local convention center, auditorium/symposium facility for business development seminars, etc.
The complex, although derelict and rundown, still symbolizes Danville. Gutting and renovating the insides, while sprucing up the outside can turn the complex into a useful and productive facility Danville can be proud of.
Personally, I’m in favor of lots of underground parking and I’m fine with going 3-4 stories tall (say 3 stories over underground parking story). However, can you go down without hitting damp soil?
The only way to get enough actual (non-compact sized) parking spots for the actual needs of the downtown is to build parking structures, not just rely on flat space parking without buildings over it. The street parking is not enough.
We should go upward a bit. There is need for a local downtown area that serves the full needs of the Danville citizens. There isn’t more land, so we have to go higher it meet the needs of fifty years from now.
I do think the LOOK of this development is going to be CRUCIAL to the whole flavor of Danville for ever on. It is the most important project for Danville ever.
I came to love the “feeling” of Danville from the look of the former Danville Hotel and shops. What will the new look be and what emotion will it evoke? I actually think that it will make or break Danville as a place to live.
I’m not sure what I what the LOOK to be, but I do know that I don’t want it modern.
I’d like a theme. Maybe still Western (but that’s almost impossible to do higher than 2 stories). How about South American village or Rancho or Santa Barbara tile looks?
What ideas for look/theme do others have?
How do we keep up on the project news? Is there an email list to get on?
“The idea of residential units on Hartz is concerning. There can be promise upon promise to include in the future CC&R’s notfication that Hartz Avenue is closed…., but putting residential units on this streets opens the possibility for these future residents to complain about noise, vandalism and impact to thier living space as a result of the street fairs ect. The street fairs and community events along Hartz Avenue are important to our Town. ”
I do see your point of concern. I think that there has to be EXTREMELY STRONG DISCLOSURES and WAIVERS signed from the beginning by property owners and renters in order to reduce the problems that you mention. Then I think it will be OK.
I certainly don’t want to reduce our downtown street fairs, etc.
But I like the idea of residential units downtown.
Wouldn’t it be nice for those owners if there are balconies/decks or windows so that they can enjoy the parades and trade shows from their units. What a great party space!
Is it Castle that is doing the current development? I have liked Castle’s home plans and pricing point in the past. I’ve lived in several of their units and think highly of them. Good value for the money. Perhaps not the highest end, but well designed, useable spaces. It will be interesting to see what they design here.
Eagle, you’re right on point. Macintosh, you’re wrong about we as locals as a whole feel we need. We don’t need anything. We are pretty much fine with how it is. It’s the relatively minute minority of people who own mercantile businesses in Danville that want it to grow, and of course the urbanist traitors in politics and development.
Please …. Three years from now, the “Danville Hotel” will look the same as it does today.
There are a few heritage trees on the Danville Hotel site as well. I am sure the city council is already sharpening their chain saws. I can see the direction Danville is headed now … might as well get it over with and bulldoze the Danville Hotel and put in a parking lot. While they have their chain saws out, why not cut all of the trees in our downtown. It would clean up the area a lot.
If the goal is to make downtown Danville as hospitable as a lifeless desert under the mid-day sun, we are well on our way. The destruction of the majestic trees on the corner of Hartz and Prospect is only the beginning.
God bless you Nelson! As hospitable as a lifeless desert! It’s funny cause ts true
I say leave it the way it is. It gives character to the town. It’s not bothering anyone!
Dear Dolores,
Let’s focus this discussion of economics. Danville downtown, from Love Lane to the southern junction with Railroad, along Hartz Avenue cannot sustain itself because the properties do not warrant financing based on retail and commercial value. As properties require renewed financing, the likelihood is that some significant rejuvenation to facilitate larger anchor retail, hospitality and commercial operations will be required.
The Danville Hotel is a relic of planning that was inserted into a downtown residential area in the 1940’s. It’s value to investors is in its potential to house significant retail, commercial, hospitality and high-density residential. Without that funding Danville residents can expect even more rapid deterioration of the mostly abandoned property over the next three years.
Hal/CDSI
They should redo what is there and try to emulate it. The western feel should remain as we have enough high tech, new wave crap all around us. Who needs residents on that block? Keep it business.
Anyone advocating a multi-story structure on that site obviously does not live in the downtown area. I would like to keep my view of Mt. Diablo, thank you very much.
Hal, you’re not getting that most residents of this area would rather see the whole downtown deteriorate to looking like the hotel than see our community urbanized. We didn’t move here for the downtown. We moved here for a safe and quiet place to live, away from the hustle and bustle of particularly outisde interlopers.
Nothing is required. There is zero grassroots momentum for ANY development in this area. All development notions are coming from the traitors in local politics and media
Hey Dianna…I heard they plan to cut a few trees down to develop the old Danville Hotel property…I guess you and your hubby will have to use highway 680…I assuming you won’t want to drive on Railroad Ave and cry because of the trees or lack of.
Because of the comments posted so far, this commentary seems relevant:
Another Danville Eyesore
It seems to me that there is a simple solution to the rotting Danville Hotel Complex. Tear down the offending buildings and make more public parking. Downtown needs more close by parking (how many studies and articles have been written about this?)
The Baldaccis won’t fix the eyesore, and say that nothing will happen until a new building plan is designed and approved and financing appears. How long will that take? And then there is the problem of more commercial enterprise that cannot exist until the economy changes. And even if a new plan can be ironed out between the Baldaccis and the Town, how long is the eyesore going to remain until financing is approved? Five years? Ten years? How long has the problem been developing? Five years? More?
Seems to me that a temporary solution NOW that puts a Band-Aid on the problem (parking that the commercial Old Town needs now and bulldoze the eyesore that may continue deteriorating into the next century) is better than leaving it to the rats (bankrupt tycoons) and slugs (Town Planning agendas.)
The eyesore buildings are beyond repair and will be torn down anyhow. No investment will happen in the near future. So let public parking happen until a financed plan materializes. Planning can go on with the rotting buildings torn down and landscaped.
This is one case where the bluff of “be patient, we’re working on it” sorely needs to be called. The Wild West is no longer cute. Time, in this case, is not on anyone’s side.
I think the wild west is very cute. I like to pinch it’s little cheeks. Make this town even more western if anything, to give props to our cultural roots which the libs are trying in every way to erase
My first thought was how many trees are we going to cut down for this new structure!! I can’t believe the city councel and Mayor of Danville let this catastrophe happen with the Redwood trees, when the voting for new councel members and Mayor I will sure to vote against them. It made me sick to drive down the street, for a second I forgot where I was, it changes everything. I can’t believe that the architect could not come up with a plan to keep the trees.
I won’t be shopping or dining in Danville for a long time!!
From my understanding, the old hotel portion facing Hartz would be retained, no residential on the Hartz side of the project. In order to pay it’s way these days, mixed use seems to be the trend, just look at WC and other communities that have mixed use, it works. People want to live near a vibrant downtown, even in the middle of it. As long at there are no units facing Hartz, I can see no reason why our community could not support a nice mixed use project. Get rid of the phony western theme, keep the historic hotel fronting Hartz and get going!
Maybe we as a whole aren’t so trendy
Hey Angry Resident, maybe you and Dianne and her husband should pack up and move into the forest…then you can look a hug all the trees you want.
Julia, that was moronic. Funny that me the arch-conservative is more environmentalist than most my opponents. That’s because our opponents are not so-called liberals, but traitors who wish to use any tact (development, section 8 and group home mandates) to ruin our local clean, safe and naturally beautiful town. This Julia and one of the Sharons are nothing more than non-grassroots mouthpieces for this traitorous movement pretending to be grassroots
Res 21 Years , that old hotel is a pile of SHHH, Needs leveling and put 2-3 Story new, nice like the other new buiildings on that street, no one even walks around that corner ( area ) but they would with some new stuff , you know old cars , old buidlings just dont draw people with money that can have new cars and nice new stuff , sorry tear it down and get up to speed with other cities.
Oh okay Barnaby
consider it a white blood cell!
Dear Dolores,
Let’s focus this discussion on what your commentators would want in the Danville Business district and ask that they pick examples of new construction or rejuvenation that is an example of their choices. In the focus groups used by investors that will fund properties in the business district there were examples such as the building housing Quiznos as “a logical commercial/retail model.” Most pointed to Prospect from the creek to Hartz as a primary model. Overall, most agreed that a few heritage buildings should be rejuvenated but the business district needs new construction to provide for larger anchor stores.
Specifically, focus groups want the “Old West” out of town and the buildings behind the Danville Hotel on Prospect and Railroad removed and replaced. Very much like focus groups serving the Alamo business district rejuvenation plans that would “lose the horse,” such focus groups among the majority in neighborhoods are looking for a rational, attractive and complete business district.
Among your commentators in this exchange, what examples of downtown buildings would each select as a guide for development of the business district? Also, among your commentators, how would they define the business district along Hartz, Diablo Road, Railroad and San Ramon Valley Blvd. What goes where?
At present, capital sources interested in our Alamo/Danville business corridor are reading this exchange. It will be MONEY that decides the future of the Danville business district and this exchange is an excellent opportunity for community feedback.
Hal/CDSI
IDEA :
Perhaps the town & Castle can hold an informal meeting BEFORE plans are “final” & headed to commission & council; to allow the residents to have a better understanding of the process that will result in the final plans, hear about some of the ideas the developer & town are considering and provide ideas, comments and input ? This would be greatly appreciated by all residents and particularly those of us living close to such a critic al site that so strongly identifies our community.
Hal, why don’t you take your development ambitions and stick them where the sun don’t shine? Like Pittsburg or Tracy, for example. Ditto for republican Julia (and why don’t you keep your nose in Alamo with the other Alamorons?). Three story structures have no business – pun intended – in the center of downtown, nor do residential units. It is without any fear of contradiction I can state the two ugliest structures in the downtown area are the 3-story bank building on Rose at the corner of Diablo, and the aging monstrosity behind Waffle House on Hartz. We don’t need another hulk staring down at us. Don’t you see the vacancy rate that already exists on commercial space Hal? How clueless are you? Everywhere from the Livery north, office and retail space sits empty. The Navlet’s center is another a joke. Greedy landlords trying to attract “upscale” business; code for “tenants who can pay 4.50/square foot per month”.
Eagle is dead on as far as I am concerned, and as to psmacintosh, the construction of underground parking lots is extremely disruptive for periods of time that can run up to a year or more. Los Gatos managed to pull it off in relatively short order in the 90’s, but they are the exception, not the rule. And yes, if ground water levels get high like they are this year, better hope Home Depot has a sale on sump pumps. This underground lot you propose will need a few dozen. Cement gets porous over time, something I know first hand from a San Jose property we used to own. And what is this obsession with parking? I have never been unable to find a spot in six years. If the car shows overwhelm our capacity, don’t have them here! They just bring in a bunch of lowlifes anyway.
It’s a very rare day when I agree with gunslinger, but we don’t need modernizing and gentrification in Danville. Let some historical society members make a few recommendations. The west side of the hotel clearly should never have been allowed to deteriorate to it’s current state, but I think an honest attempt to rebuild what is there or something similar is what most Danville residents desire.
So if you think the public should determine what gets built on the site, have the city buy the property and then we can determine what kind of town square should be built. This family has a good reputation in this community and should be allowed to build what the zoning allows.
Dear Dolores,
Further responses above point to the issues justifying rejuvenation and renewal in the Alamo/Danville business corridors:
#1 – Vacancy rates are high because the spaces are designed for small businesses that are the weakest part of our economy. Larger anchor store facilities would attract investors to locate larger retailers’ operations in Alamo/Danville. Examples of such success are Safeway and Trader Joe’s.
#2 – Alamo/Danville neighborhoods, and their residents, have contributed to investors’ consideration of properties and rejuvenation, but it is reasonable that county and town planning groups should be holding open meetings and website with e-response for residents to review and respond to business district planning.
#3 – Underground parking will likely contact the shallow ground water table and provide ability to pump and store water for business district irrigation. According to tests conducted, such water would be sufficient for more than single property irrigation and provide water for surrounding storage and irrigation.
As for CDSI Research being any form of developer the answer is no. CDSI members do not have any commercial interests in Contra Costa County. Our courtesy research is for news services in our region and the investors that subscribe to those services.
Great dialogue!
Hal/CDSI
Steve, I forgot to mention that your comment actually makes me laugh out loud (not gonna write lol) every time it crosses my mind. I get it. It’s still funny
How about making the current eye sore a small park, a few benches, a little grass, maybe an extra tree or two. How about a fountain, the town square idea was good. Give us all someplace to sit and enjoy a minute. Not clear more parking is required, it’s not like we need more cars downtown. Tear down what’s there, possible keeping some of the western theme, build something that could house some senior activities? After all, wasn’t the Veteran’s home trying to be everything. The museum extension was a good idea. No need for expensive shops now. There are plenty of vacant business spaces.
New is not always better. I think the current structure fits Danville’s quaint feelimg. Let’s refurb the existing structure and appeal to and support our local merchants. Taking it down and re-building would destoy a piece of Danville’s history and would equate to nothing better than building a “mc mansion”. Californians, learn to preserve history, not “tear it down and put up a parking lot!”
New is not always better. I think the current structure fits Danville’s quaint feelimg. Let’s refurb the existing structure and appeal to and support our local merchants. Taking it down and re-building would destoy a piece of Danville’s history and would equate to nothing better than building a “mc mansion”. Californians, learn to preserve history, not “tear it down and put up a parking lot!”
Some of the suggestions for change to the property seem to believe it is publicly-owned. This is private property. The owner wants to do something that makes sense to him / her economically and in the best interests of the area / Danville.
Unfortunately, the CLOCK has continued to move but the COMPASS is frozen in time and has not moved at all. Time to get off the dime and determine the direction. It is the owner’s responsibility get this thing done. Let’s go.
Funny thing Dolores, how you manage to edit out anti-rightie comments, yet you allow deranged and ill-informed ramblings from the likes of Vlado Blech (not his real last name, but close enough) to remain not only here, but to grace the former pages of your print edition. Many of which were derogatory to anyone not sharing his worldview. It’s your gig and you can do as you wish, but do not pretend neutrality.
As to Hal’s continued assertion that a) large vacancy rates are due to weak small retailers, and b) a large anchor store could/should reside in the historic hotel space, I flatly reject the latter and partially reject the former.
Yes, we don’t need another lame clothing boutique or wine tasting venue in town, but to suggest that high rents in high rent areas have nothing to do with vacancy rates is ignorant in the extreme.
If the owner decide that a Macy’s, REI, or Walmart should go in the space, do you think that would be a good fit? Perhaps a Fredericks of Hollywood outlet store? This is not San Ramon, and we do not need big, hideous, traffic inducing retailers. Or residential, or 35 foot high cubes. Small businesses are what downtown is all about.
Unfortunately, the new owners of this property left it vacant for sooo long, I seriously doubt anything could be slavaged but possible an outhouse. Danville is cute, small and could stay that way… business rent needs to be reasonable enough to keep the good /competitive businesses. We have quality stores until the onwers increase the rents, existing businesses choose to leave and some visionary thinks there is a ton of $ to be made, so they move in and are forced to sell some expensive c?>p. Keep the quality and if you can’t think of anyhting – make it a park instead of a rat trap until you do.
Pam,
I originally loved the old town and thought it too should be refurbished. I thought it was a shame to remove it – it’s a part of Danville history even if it was constructed in the 1950’s. I remember hearing about the old cowboy town when I was little. I would love to see something like it – but it has been vacant for so long it is probable easier to salvage what you can, which wouldn’t be much. But like Dan said, it was purchased and they had a plan, yuckie but still a plan.
It’s amazing how the Town of Danville approves things that more than a few express concern over.
I dont care what the owner does, its his property and he has to figure out what will work and give him the best return. Only thing I dont like is it seems the owners are stalling to force the city to give them something that is not normally allowed. I dont think with the commercial market where it is today, and he needs funding, – that will be harder than pleasing the people of Danville. That site will be an eye sore for years to come.
They better keep with the character of this town. I was taking a walk today and reflecting upon how gorgeous our small town really is. On such a crisp, clear day as this, with the rain having made everything green, it really is a paradise. You can see the gorgeous mountains hanging in the fog and blue sky.
Then I think of the coordinated attack on our town, by the government, media and key minority special interests, who are trying to rob us of our rural beauty, proposing to build true eyesores that would blot out the environment and defecate upon the character of this town with it’s lifeless urbanity.
And for what? The need for more hustle and bustle
These same forces also work to rob us of our safety on our own turf, importing criminals and the like. Why? Because they hate everything about us.
I’m still reeling over the tragic removal of our magnificent trees in the center of town!! The thought of condos or parking lots across the street from that mess make me sick!! This has been in the works for years!! I thought I would never see the day it would happen. The only historical part of our town will be the museum. I suppose that will be the next demolition…More stucco..what crap!
Could not have said it better!
Don’t you people realize that the Danville Hotel is home to the Hartz Avenue Termite and if it isn’t an endangered species it will be declared such as soon as plans are finalized as what is to be done with the “Hotel!”
I wonder how many deals were made along the line and who will profit in the end with this latest rouse!! Not this once quaint little town of ours!!
I would be so sad to see the Danville Hotel complex gone. It’s one of the reasons we chose Danville over say, San RAmon (which looks like a giant strip mall!). Couldn’t they just modernize the inside and renovate the outside to look just like it did – that’s what they do in Europe and we all spend thousands to go visit there. I’d go even further and suggest permanently making a couple of blocks a pedestrian only zone (like we do for fairs and such). It would make shopping and hanging out in town so much more appealing not having to worry about cars and if the kids are running out in the street. I truly believe it would improve business!!!!
Where would all of the cars park if the town closed down a couple of streets to pedestrians?!
Better be careful gunslinger – some Green Party members will be knocking at your door soon wanting to sign you up.
For those in the minority here asserting our hotel owners have more or less the complete right to do as they please, uhhh, no, they do not.
If I wish to build a meth lab in my back yard – keeping within our city’s wise building codes, of course – would that be okay too? How about something more benign that just brings a poopload of traffic. Is that cool with the property rights defenders? Sure, zoning is a bit different in my yard than on Railroad Ave, but being told I need a permit (translation: self-perpetuating revenue generation) for a three porch steps, while watching what the council and planning people have okay’d in the last 24 months really pisses me off.
The Danville Hotel owners did not get carte blanche to do as they pleased. What is important to remember is that the city planning department has pretty wide latitude deciding what fits and what does not in terms of approval, and only our loud obnoxious voices can pressure them into going the right way.
Some where along the line, why didn’t the city buy this property and refurbish this grand old Hotel. I’m thinking this whole thing reeks! Watch out people, this is how strip mall atrocities happen. I hope, If anything, the loss of all those beautiful trees in the middle of our town give us a heads up!
Dear Dolores,
Let’s summarize this exchange:
First and most important, availability of funding of any rejuvenation or new construction will determine any actions going forward. Current funding interests in the Danville Hotel site would dictate facilities with rapid return on investment and long-term profitability going forward.
Second, what is appropriate rejuvenation or new construction for the site are factional considerations with the Town planning mostly at-odds with any fundable plans and with community’s desires to maintain the character of Old Town Danville.
Third, the model for the site, as construction along Prospect from the Creek to Hartz, did have support until the trees were removed at the Vet’s Hall and much of the character of that street was lost. Community residents fear that the trees on site at the Danville Hotel will be lost to rejuvenation or new construction.
Fourth, what appears to be missing for most of your commentators is a general plan for the site that would preserve trees, maintain the character of Old Town Danville, serve profitable operations on site for the owners and tenants, and offer services and products demanded by community residents.
Who, Dolores, can address the reality this reality?
Hal/CDSI
You’re reality is not that of the majority of this town Hal. You’re polls were wrong before. The town as a whole has always been against any urbanization. There’s no need to chanyouths hotel. If you demand more retail or whatever, then listen to the many suggestions that basically say to renovate it but keep it looking as it did in it’s heyday. End of story Hal
Bottom line is that the site needs to generate enough operating income to meet appropriately current financial obligations (eg loan payments) as they come due and provide a satifactory return to the owner. That is not prresently happening becuase the building is vacant. Personally I thought it was a GREAT bar. I say: parking underground, retail at ground level; and condo/lofts upstairs (the problem with the lofts is, as someone pointed out, eventually someone would gripe about all the street fairs…so maybe two stories but make the parking paid parking…). A good deal is one that is good for BOTH sides–the owners and the city/public.
The original plan, a gambling house for the criminally insane, will fit in well with rest of the community, what with all the drinking establishments that are already here, and the DPD on constant vigilance to generate additional revenue.