A: We are seeking a study session with City Council to explore the potential option of closing a 60-yard portion of Hope Street. We are only looking to discuss it, we are not asking for anything else. The GPR team cares about being good neighbors as their office is in the current project and will remain there in the future as their headquarters. GPR has had over 50 individual meetings, open houses, community meetings, and group meetings with community leaders. Through this outreach, the design has changed to reflect the neighborhood and community’s needs and wants. Of course, it is based on a consensus and not a 100% agreement among the entire community. We seek to continue adjusting the conceptual design to accommodate the community's needs but we ultimately hope to be able to speak with City Council about Hope Street.

A: GPR Ventures / Castro Commons does not have the authority to bring this conceptual design to the City including the partial Hope Street closure. We seek to continue our community outreach and to empahsize the benefits we see in closing off part of the street.

A: While most of the project will be fewer than four stories, some areas have been proposed for five stories and six stories. The conceptual site plan steps down like a wedding cake. A section of the build is proposed at seven stories. This design not only respects the existing neighborhood due to massing but also allows for more affordable housing units with that additional floor. Again, the 7th story is conceptual.

A: 15% of the units will be allocated for BMR. We are open to increasing this percentage. While this is a somewhat complex topic, simply put, the number of units allocated to affordable housing in large part is a function of the total square footage of the residential units being built. The more square footage we are able to build, the more affordable housing units we can provide to the community.

A: Castro Commons was designed to minimize the transitions from our multi-story project to the surrounding neighborhood. The project has been designed like a wedding cake, stepping down from the highest points, furthest away from the single-family neighborhoods to much lesser heights as it approaches the street level, down to four, three, and 2 stories. Castro Commons will also act as a sound barrier to the high-traffic Castro Street and El Camino making for much quieter living. Another plus is the proposed three large, partially covered, and well-lit, paseos. They will be connecting Old Town neighborhood to Gateway Park, El Camino Real and Castro crosswalks. Two of the Paseos will be 30’ wide and one will be 40’ wide, with partial, and well-lit canopies up to 24’ over the top. All of this will encourage outdoor walking, bicycling, shopping, and dining for the community in a clean and open environment. This is what we like to call outdoor-indoor living. The back end of the project will include an open space/park area, further enhancing the transition from the building to the neighborhood.

A: Our current conceptual design is being modeled to be for-sale condominiums.

A: GPR is currently authorized to negotiate the purchase of a portion of Fiamront Ave at a fair market value. GPR does not have any authority to purchase or use the portion of Hope Street. Should the City grant these requests, however, those two blocks will be closed to through traffic and become walkways (aka. paseos) to enhance the walkability to shops, restaurants, and housing. The Paseos that replace these two blocks (one for each street) will be very wide (between 30-40 feet each) and will have heights of 24’ to provide a light and airy feel.

A: Our underground parking structure has since changed due to these concerns, especially with the Heritage Trees at Gateway Park. Our underground parking structure has been re-designed to make sure it will have no impact to the trees above. As for the rest, it’s too early to determine at this stage of the development process, however, we value all trees and will make every effort to retain as many as possible.

A: Our current drawings are conceptual only. They have not been discussed or reviewed by the city. We submitted a preliminary plan to the City informally in March 2022, but our conceptual plans have changed substantially since that time. We are working on getting updated architectural renderings to show the massing of the project. Be sure to check back periodically on the PROJECT UPDATES page for the latest information.

A. Yes, specific details will be provided and shared with current residents when that information is determined. We are still early in the conceptual planning process so we cannot determine that at this time.

A: We are working on a shadow study, which will accurately depict where shadows will be cast by the conceptual 7-story building. A 3D model for public viewing in also in the works. Please check into the PROJECT UPDATES page for these.

A: We have been doing extension community outreach and many of the comments we have received are in regard to keeping/relocating Gateway Park, the building height and massing, shadowing, traffic and parking, as well as support/opposition to the vacation of 60 yards of Hope St. See more of the types of comments we've heard in the TOWN HALL page.

A: No, there will be an overhang from the upper levels that will pass over small portions of the paseos. Each paseo is 30-40 feet in width and up to 24’ high. These will be well-lit and active areas, ensuring a safe and clean environment.

A: Yes, 15% of the total unit count is being allocated to affordable, below-market-rate housing. We are open to considering increasing this percentage. Our design has a 7th story and closes Hope Street. This is conceptual but with this additional square footage, we will be able to provide more BMR units.

A: Right now we are working on a 3D model and digital renderings that will only show the massing of the project, however the actual architecture and design details will need to come later on in the design process. Again, this is only a conceptual design which needs to go to City Planning.

A: No, this design is purely conceptual. This design has not been studied, reviewed, or discussed by the City.

A: We have the right to negotiate the purchase of the small portion of Fairmont St. at a fair market value.  The closure of 60 yards of Hope St has not been submitted, reviewed, or discussed with the city, however, we have still included it in our conceptual designs. This closure will allow for more units, hence more BMR units. We also feel that Hope Street presents many issues to the community.

A: No. In fact, we are under the maximum number of units and square footage. We made these changes to the site plan after community outreach expressed concerns about the building setbacks and massing. However, due to this, there will be a loss of units and a loss of BMR units, but can be offset with additional square footage from a 7th story and closure of a portion of Hope Street.

A: No, there is 14-foot setback to the building in addition to the sidewalk.

A: Even though the Precise Plan calls for the relocation of Gateway Park, the Old Town Mountain View community and others have advocated for keeping it. We've heard those voices and have changed our plans accordingly.