In San Anselmo, the Town Council just voted to reopen a downtown plaza perched above San Anselmo Creek. They’re moving forward with a $1-per-month, three-year lease with Marin County.
The decision depends on safety assurances for the century-old Building Bridge 2 beneath the platform. It’s a renewed push to bring life back to the town’s core, but flood-control concerns still ripple through Marin communities like Ross, Corte Madera, and Fairfax.
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San Anselmo Reopening: A Step Toward Downtown Vitality
Leasing the plaza to Marin County marks a real shift from 2022, when flood-control worries fenced off the concrete space and shut down public life along San Anselmo Creek. Local leaders seem genuinely hopeful that reopening will bring back a much-loved gathering spot and boost downtown energy, especially as San Anselmo’s cafes, shops, and events look for a stronger spring.
Key Details of the Lease and Oversight
The town will lease the plaza for $1 per month over three years, with automatic renewal unless something unexpected happens. San Anselmo will bring in a licensed structural engineering consultant to check the platform’s integrity.
Public use only comes back after that professional says it’s safe. In the meantime, crews have pulled out about 100,000 pounds of debris from the structure, which lightens the load and eases some safety worries that have reached as far as Mill Valley and Larkspur.
- The engineer needs to certify the plaza is safe before anyone can walk, dine, or host events like Live on the Avenue.
- The revival aims to help downtown businesses in San Anselmo and nearby towns like Ross and Corte Madera, with a real focus on pedestrian-friendly activity.
- The bridge underneath was supposed to be removed as part of a bigger Ross Valley flood-control project, but the timing is up in the air.
Safety and Public Use: What Needs to Happen
People can’t use the plaza again until the licensed structural engineer confirms the platform meets safety standards for what the town wants to do. Marin County’s taking a cautious approach here, considering the old infrastructure serves as a stage for merchants, residents, and visitors—especially during spring markets and weekend gatherings in San Anselmo and even towns like Fairfax and Tiburon.
Community Impact and Nearby Projects
Town leaders say reopening the plaza is a direct way to support dining, pedestrian access, and events like Live on the Avenue, which has always been a highlight of San Anselmo’s weekends. Council members have noticed that simple things—like wood chips and more picnic tables—already made the space more inviting.
They see more chances to connect the neighborhood’s commercial heart with Marin’s outdoor culture. The plan fits with the county’s bigger goal of keeping downtowns lively in places like Mill Valley, Ross, and Larkspur.
Timeline and Current Status
The three-year lease gives the town a stable window to see how safe the plaza is and how people use it. If everything checks out, public use could return this spring, bringing a steady stream of events and casual gatherings that might attract folks from all over Marin County—from San Rafael to Fairfax.
Regional Context: Flood-Control Delays
Several issues are slowing down related flood-control work along Corte Madera Creek and the Ross Valley corridor. The bridge’s removal is tied to a multi-million-dollar plan, but federal officials insist it can’t move forward without downstream mitigation agreements.
Marin County has paused Corte Madera Creek flood-control projects for now, waiting on a full review. Town officials know all this, but they’re not letting it overshadow the immediate value of bringing the plaza back to life for San Anselmo and its neighbors along the Ross Valley and beyond.
Voices from Local Leaders
Mayor Steve Burdo and Supervisor Brian Colbert welcomed the plaza’s reopening. They called it a restoration of a vital community space and shared the hope it brings to downtown San Anselmo and nearby towns.
Councilmember Eileen Burke mentioned the quick, low-cost improvements already in place. Councilmember Yoav Schlesinger talked about practical uses like better pedestrian access and lively dining experiences.
People across Marin’s towns—from Sausalito to Mill Valley—seem to agree that a healthy public plaza can anchor economic activity, especially with flood-control projects still up in the air.
San Anselmo now faces the ongoing challenge of balancing safety, community gathering, and regional flood resilience. Towns like Fairfax, Larkspur, and Ross are watching closely.
For now, residents can look forward to springtime sunshine and sidewalk chatter. There’s a real sense that downtown Marin neighborhoods are ready to thrive together again.
Here is the source article for this story: San Anselmo to reopen Creek Park plaza
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