|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Flagpole Plaza downtown Livermore officially reopened last week with a celebratory ribbon cutting event, marking the end of a monthslong remodel.
Located at the corner of South Livermore Avenue and First Street, the upgraded space is ADA-compliant and features new stamped concrete sidewalks, new landscaping, designated outdoor dining areas, enhanced lighting and game tables as well as security cameras connected to the Livermore Police Department’s real-time awareness center.
City officials intend for the revamped, historical plaza to serve as a gathering space with improved pedestrian connectivity and access to the surrounding businesses and restaurants, according to Livermore spokesperson Sonia Lee.
The project costed an estimated $3,460,000, Lee confirmed with Livermore Vine.
Cutting the ribbon Nov. 19, Livermore Mayor John Marchand celebrated the project’s completion with city council members, city staff, members of the project team, community leaders and residents, Lee recounted.
Livermore has been recognized as having the best downtown in the East Bay by East Bay Times readers, Mayor John Marchand said during the ceremony.
“This Flagpole Plaza renovation shows our commitment to continually making our downtown even better, ensuring it remains a vibrant hub,” he added.
Prior to the most recent renovations beginning Feb. 18, the plaza featured a large grass area that was later replaced by decomposed granite to accommodate outdoor dining, following the onset of COVID-19 during 2020, according to the city website.
The plaza partially opened Aug. 1, but “a few final touches” were still in the works, city officials wrote same-day on social media.
During last week’s ceremony, Livermore community development director Brent Smith recognized the city’s project team and general contractor McGuire & Hester for their work to minimize the impact of construction on local businesses, according to Lee.
Smith also thanked Livermore Downtown Inc. and downtown businesses, especially those located on the J Street block, for contributing to the city’s vibrant downtown.
