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Greenbelt Alliance In the News

November 14, 2004

Greenbelt puts emphasis on in-town living

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Thomas Wojak was nice and comfy as an artist living the good life in San Francisco. Then came those nasty dot-commers. And Wojak, along with other artists, got the brush-off and the boot.

After three years in litigation, the tenants were evicted.

Not only did Wojak manage to land on his feet, he landed a choice living and work space in downtown Vallejo. And while all those dot-com companies flopped like a tuna on the deck of a fishing boat, Wojak flourished with his screen-printing workshop and gallery.

"Vallejo is not a place I had ever thought I'd live," said Wojak, the first legal "art-live" Georgia Street resident.

It's lifestyles such as Wojak's that must thrive for the downtown to revive, said several members of the Greenbelt Alliance during a presentation and tour Saturday.

"What's Shaping Up Downtown? An Urban Outing in Vallejo" brought about 50 curious locals and small business owners together for a power-point presentation at the John F. Kennedy Library followed by a walking tour of various historical buildings.

"We just wanted to highlight what's going on in downtown Vallejo and encourage their efforts," said Greenbelt member Janet Byron. "It's exciting what's happening here. It will provide a boost as to something others can look at. It's creative use of older buildings."

It's Greenbelt's objective to eliminate sprawl on the fringe of a city's limits while promoting living within the downtown area, said Brent Schoradt, the nonprofit organization's Solano-Napa field representative.

"We're hoping folks just be aware what 'smart growth' is," Schoradt said. "And that, by revitalizing our downtown, we won't have to develop out into our open spaces."

Karl Seilbach, a seven-year Vallejoan, said he was cautious heading into the tour because of past downtown planning of "one step forward, two steps backward," but walked away convinced.

"When I purchased a home, I was assured Vallejo was on the upswing, and I've monitored the progress," Seilbach said. "I'm very impressed and very encouraged. I am a realist, but it is inspiring to see the actual work, seeing people take on those types of endeavors."

The handful of tour stops included a 135-year-old building behind Alibi Clock at 316 Georgia St., Janet Sylvain's "Pieced on Earth" store at 340 Georgia St., Bill Neads' visionary plans of a furniture store and live theater at the Crowley Building on 436 Georgia St., the Performing Arts and Conference Center at 707 Marin St., and the Empress Theatre at 338 Virginia St.

Sylvain agreed with the Greenbelt Alliance perception that downtown needs residents as much as it needs businesses.

"What we'd like to see are vibrant retail stores with restaurants," Sylvain said. "And we have to have people living in the area."

Ricki Kimball, another seven-year local, took the tour as a curious resident.

"I'm very interested in the 'smart growth' concert and was curious to know who the Greenbelt Alliance was," Kimball said. "I thought it was fabulous that they would come in and bring their energy to Vallejo."

Kimball was encouraged by the mixed use under way, but wondered, "Where ... is the grocery store?"

Before the tour, Greenbelt Alliance member Bob Johnson guided the residents to a power-point presentation detailing other cities across the nation that have successfully transformed bleak environs into thriving communities.

Vallejo City Council member Gary Cloutier followed Johnson with a brief speech. Cloutier said many American cities that couldn't resist sprawl "had the energy sucked away from the urban centers."

By making it inviting for people to live downtown "is what we're trying to do in Vallejo," Cloutier said, believing the Greenbelt Alliance tour was a positive step for residents.

"I think it's a great opportunity to focus on what we have here in Vallejo and how to make it better in the best way possible," Cloutier said.

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