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PDA to focus on more downtown nightlife
Consultants hired to develop strategies

by Jeb Bing

A downtown advisory group will hold its second meeting next week to further consider how to enhance Pleasanton nighttime vitality.

The group of selected Individuals will meet June 3 with representatives of Santa Cruz-based Responsible Hospitality Institute (RHI) to focus on six areas: community, development, hospitality, entertainment, safety and research. The objective is to make Pleasanton's downtown more of an entertainment destination.

Although nighttime music and dancing have given North Main Street greater nighttime appeal, the Pleasanton Downtown Association, which is sponsoring the discussion meetings, wants the nightlife extended and expanded.

"Pleasanton's downtown has suffered the results of a poor economy just like the rest of us, but the future for downtown is hopeful," said Melanie Sadek, co-owner of Murphy's Paw, a Main Street business. "With new businesses opening and a waiting list for locations on Main Street, downtown is seeing renewed vitality. The next step is to extend this vitality into the evening hours."

Increasing nighttime entertainment opportunities has become a key initiative for the PDA, whose merchant and restaurant members are concerned that they are losing valuable business due to the lack of enough nighttime activities. The focus of the PDA and its advisory committee will be to address how to responsibly increase nighttime vitality in accord with the interests and concerns of those who own businesses, live and work in the downtown area.

Thursday's discussion will focus on issues of concern as nighttime activities increase, including public safety, transportation and neighborhood impacts.