Greater Downtown Area Plan

The City of Redwood City is embarking upon an update to the long-range vision for the Downtown, Centennial (south of Whipple Avenue) and Stambaugh-Heller neighborhoods. The visioning process will culminate in a Greater Downtown Area Plan that will guide the area’s equitable evolution in terms of land use, urban design, connectivity, historic preservation, public spaces, infrastructure, and climate resilience/adaptation.

Learn how to get involved

About the Plan

The City seeks to build on Downtown Redwood City’s successes by: positioning itself to meet new challenges and realities emerging around how residents live, work, recreate, and travel; engaging the Redwood City community in the visioning process. In support of the City’s economic and social vitality as well as its goal to be an ever-more equitable and sustainable community, the planning effort for the Greater Downtown Area Plan is structured around a two-phase framework designed to engage the community and develop actionable strategies for inclusive urban development.

Project Timeline

Click image to enlarge

The process for the Greater Downtown Area Plan is expected to culminate in 2027 with the final plan. This schedule highlights milestones for public engagement throughout the planning process.

Project Area

Upcoming events

Spring/Summer 2026 Events

The project team has numerous community engagement events planned for Spring and Summer 2026 so that the Redwood City community can continue to be involved in the development of the GDAP! These include, but are not limited to: Community open house Community survey Pop-ups Neighborhood association meetings Study sessions with Boards, Commissions, and Committees Study session with City Council As dates are confirmed for individual events, they will be posted here on the project's Events page. To receive email notifications about events and project updates, please sign up here (find "Greater Downtown Area Plan" in the list). Event details are…

View Details

Focus Areas

Land Use

Urban Design

Infrastructure & Climate Resilience

Economic Vibrancy

Transportation & Connectivity

Historic & Cultural Preservation

Inclusive engagement

Public Spaces

Redwood City’s Commitment to Equity

Recognizing that certain groups have historically been underrepresented in urban planning processes, the engagement strategy will prioritize outreach to those who may face language, economic, or cultural barriers.

We know that traditional outreach methods don’t always reach everyone. Here’s how we’re ensuring our outreach reflects the diverse voices, needs, and priorities of our community:

Collaborating with Community Leaders and Organizations:  We’re working hand-in-hand with local community leaders to engage underrepresented groups in meaningful ways.
Breaking Down Barriers:  From multilingual resources to culturally relevant events, we are designing engagement opportunities to meet people where they are.
Partnering with Promotoras:  The City has partnered with Nuestra Casa and their team of promotoras, trained outreach workers who connect directly with Spanish-speaking residents.

To learn more about the strategies and tactics we’re using to engage with Redwood City’s diverse communities, read the full Community Engagement Strategy.

Be a Part of the Story

We hope you’ll join us in creating a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable Redwood City!

Learn how to get involved

Project Team

City of Redwood City

The Redwood City Greater Downtown Area Plan is a collaborative effort led by Redwood City’s Community Development Department, with participation from the following departments: