Tactical, High-Impact Improvements for a Small Town Main Street

Not all planning projects are costly or take years to complete and/or implement. Small, tactical moves can make a big impact in a small amount of time. The Main Street Concept Plan for the City of Colfax, California is an example where simple tactical design concepts were successfully used to improve a historic small town Main Street. What began as a quick solution to a short-term problem, evolved into the possibility of a safer, more vibrant downtown – with expanded outdoor dining, more thoughtful use of irregular and underutilized space, and improved community gathering spaces that will help businesses thrive.

Opening Doors to New, Context-Sensitive Development

Recent California state legislation (eg., SB 35, SB 330 and the Housing Accountability Act) stipulates that in certain situations, projects that qualify for streamlined review and processing must be designed and reviewed only through objective design standards. Marin County retained Opticos Design in 2019 to develop Objective Design and Development Standards (ODDS) for multifamily and mixed-use residential development in coordination with 11 separate jurisdictions within the County, the largest objective design standards application to date.

Designing Neighborhoods for Safer Destinational Walking

We recently wrote on the merits of destinational walking and the ways in which communities can be supportive of it. When we put pen to paper to design walkable neighborhoods, we strive to make walking a safe, useful, and enjoyable activity for all residents, regardless of age or ability.

Progressive Planning & Revitalization Strategies in Rural California

In July 2013, Opticos completed a Design Idea Book for the community of Bridgeport to help revitalize its Main Street business district. The town thrives off of through-traffic traveling between the Eastern Sierra destinations of Yosemite National Park, Ansel Adams Wilderness, and others, and wanted to preserve and capitalize upon its image as a rustic western town.

Beaufort County FBC Gets the Nod from Driehaus, CNU Charter Awards

Beaufort County has experienced incredible growth in the past 10 years, and is expected to continue into the foreseeable future. To help channel future growth toward existing urban areas, and protect the county’s rural character, the county, the City of ...