SUMMARY BOOKLET - City of Napa

SUMMARY BOOKLET

EVENT SUMMARY

On July 19, 2018, the City Manager’s office led a community engagement event at the Culinary Institute ofAmerica at COPIA, which focused on providing a platform and venue for stakeholders of the Oxbow District.Community participants spoke and The City listened to their perspectives on the history, current state, andfuture of the Oxbow District. This booklet is a summary of the day’s event with outtakes of the exercisesand outcomes from the working groups.

More than 30 people attended the event. Representatives from The City joined various communitymembers representing land interests, business interests, the natural environment, the Downtown NapaAssociation, Chamber of Commerce, CIA at COPIA, the Oxbow Market, Filippi’s Pizza, Visit Napa Valley, TheWine Train, Westin Versa Napa, La Toque, and RSA+ assembled at the CIA for a collaborativediscussion. Dr. Peter Pirnejad, along with Kate Rutter, a graphic illustrator, lead the group through a seriesof exercises designed to solicit feedback, perspectives, memories, and vision for the Oxbow District. TheEconomic Development Division team and members of the Planning and Public Works Divisions facilitatedthe dialogue with participants for the various group exercises. Staff graphically recorded the participant’sresponses and will share them with the Napa City Council on August 7, 2018 as part of the Urban LandInstitute’s (ULI) Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) presentation.

The purpose of the half-day, sounding board event was to solicit input and create conversation about theOxbow District. Feedback was very positive about the event. Many participants met others for the firsttime and established better relationships during the various team oriented and sharing exercises. Theoutcomes were also very valuable and will help produce better results during the ULI event.

OXBOW DISTRICT STAKEHOLDER SOUNDING BOARD EVENT 3

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Napa City CouncilJill Techel, Mayor

Peter Mott, Vice MayorDoris GentryJim Krider

Scott Sedgley

Bruce AhnfeldtGreg BrunTom BenselJeanie CanepaHolly Krassner DawsonJeff DoddThomas FinchMichael FinchKen FrankCouncilmember Doris Gentry

Mary Beth HermanCatherine HeywoodMichael Holcomb, Jr.Gordon HuetherBill LaLiberteMike LehnChristine McDermottMonica SilvaDon ShindleCraig Smith

Travis StanleyKevin TeagueEdith RamirezJeremy SillWayne O’ConnellPreston O’ConnellJoseph RuffinoFrancie Winnen

Visual NotetakerKate Rutter, Intelleto

City ManagementMike Parness, City ManagerDr. Peter Pirnejad, Assistant City Manager

City StaffRick Tooker, Community Development DirectorJohn Coates, Parks and Recreation Director

Robin Schabes, Economic Development ManagerErin Morris, Planning ManagerTim Wood, Senior Civil EngineerTony Valadez, Parking ManagerMike Walker, Senior Planner

Robin Klingbeil, Sr. Project CoordinatorShari Cooper, Project Coordinator and Booklet ProducerNeha Hoskins, Office AssistantKristen Nippes, Office AssistantPatty Baring, Secretary


Special Thanks to the Culinary Institute of America at COPIA for hosting the event and providing a fabulous cornucopia of refreshments.

Community Participants

TABLE OF CONTENTS


PAGE

Event Summary 3

Acknowledgements 4

Event Announcement 6

Welcome Poster 7

Event Agenda 8

Ground Rules 9

Telling Compelling Stories 10

WHAT IS THE OXBOW DISTRICT? 11-12

WHAT MAKES THE OXBOW DISTRICT UNIQUE OR SPECIAL? 13-14

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMPELLING ASPECTS ABOUT THE OXBOW DISTRICT? 15-16

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES THAT FACE THE OXBOW TODAY/FUTURE 17-18

Closing Discussion 19

Summary Graphic Illustration 20-21

SUMMARY






WHAT IS THE OXBOW DISTRICT?



What is the Oxbow District?

The Commons is a central gathering place for Earth Day, Live Music, Jazz Festival, and

biking.

Growing up in the Oxbow, it was a community place

predominate with Italian. It was a neighborhood area with the

same local business.

The Oxbow is a place for the future bringing together the

wine industry with the community, tourists, and locals. A place to bring farm to table in

the city of Napa downtown versus going up valley.

The Oxbow is a place in transition. It is a place to wander

around to do many things. Watch the river. Hop from

restaurant to shops and back to another restaurant. The Oxbow

is a connector between the river, downtown and The

District.

2006. Very little in place but vision was there. The

progression to today is amazing. TRANSFORMATION. Weeds,

Junk Yard, Tire Shop = Courage & Vision

The Oxbow District where a capitalist/entrepreneur can try something new. Some people have started a business in the Oxbow and opened another smaller business elsewhere.

A local resident has friends come to Napa 2-3 times a year. Every one wants to make sure

they come to the Oxbow District. Oxbow is also a

community gathering space and neighborhood.

As a host of International strangers, the Oxbow District is a place where there is something for everyone and visitors get to

experience community.

Oxbow has a long tradition as an Italian neighborhood. Shop

owner has had a previous resident come in and say "My grandmother had 5 kids in the

front room" here in this picture. Past residents come back to

remember history.

Local business owner has weekly meeting. It is scheduled at The

Oxbow, Trade, or other restaurant. They always eat.

Always see people they know.

The Oxbow is an evolving place. It was once a place that

chronically flooded. It used to be a dumpy place. Remember the

SWISS Barn? Now it has evolved to and continues to evolve.

Oxbow District is a great place to do everything. You can eat,

drink, sleep, shop, and walk your dog. You can do it all without

getting in your car.

"Not age specific where young and old can both have a great

time."

Oxbow District has everything in one place. There is high end

dining. There are tasting rooms. There is casual dining. You can

walk all around to find what you need

Local Chef ALWAYS comes to Oxbow because they have the

freshest and highest quality goods. You are buying from the

farmer, the oyster raiser and others who have a passion for

their goods.

WHAT IS THE OXBOW DISTRICT?

WHAT MAKES THE OXBOW DISTRICT UNIQUE OR SPECIAL?



What makes the Oxbow District unique or special?

Post-Westin opening group with families and visitors had dinner at Gott's and are still talking about it 10 years later

Musicians from all over the world find Uncorked and play music together. For example, visitors from South America.

Beautiful Westin Hotel Design that is responsive to Napa's high

standards.

Sitting in the Oxbow Market on a Friday night and running into

15-20 people you know.

Using the Oxbow preserve with kids then getting coffee at

Ritual. River Trail is an asset.

Oxbow Market has something for everyone. - it's easy. No reservations, busy, you can

always find seating.

As a downtown resident, one can access the district through

trails/Oxbow Preserve. A unique transition from urban to

non-urban and back.

CIA makes Oxbow District unique. Conferences, classes and etc. bring visitors from

everywhere… and supports the community!

Impromptu date night at the Oxbow. Start out at Hog Island then Kitchen Door and finally

hit Kara's cupcakes to go.

Large group gatherings. Variety of restaurants, food, and

beverage choices. Open market experience - easy for the

consumer to enjoy.

On the theme of a blank canvas, so many people come here and

have great experiences here that want to become part of the

Oxbow. How do we tie in those people's visions into this

blank canvas?

Genuine reflection of whole valley in a single destination. Commitment to quality and values of the Napa Valley.

Happy FUNERAL! Became a logical gathering place to

celebrate life because of the environment, the selling and the

experience.

Resurrection - the 3+ lives of the COPIA

Ruffino's - "If you are good, my family will smile on you" Mama

Ruffino lives on!

Chef's Garden Co-op

Scout the stray dog from the gardens

We have something special we want to share/connect with the

rest of the City

WHAT MAKES THE OXBOW DISTRICT UNIQUE OR SPECIAL?

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMPELLING ASPECTS ABOUT THE OXBOW DISTRICT?



What are the most compelling aspects about the Oxbow District?Watching the 2017 flood in the Oxbow Channel - celebrating

the event

Assembly of Bottle Rock attendees and co-mingling with

localsDifferent languages all around

Family (in New Jersey) coming out after waiting for CIA to

open

Overhearing visitors about where to eat in the Oxbow

Can freely speak/comment to total strangers about what's going on - friendliness being

contagious

Kayaking, seeing a blue heron land behind C.I.A. and then

seeing a porpoise

Kayaking in Oxbow and hearing music from Jazz Get-a-way

Pre-wedding gathering spot for spontaneous get together, 30-40

people reuniting prior to wedding

Friends can go grab food from Market Hall - go inside and

connect with nature. Accessibility to outdoors

Convergence of Bike Fest participants with people hanging out, walking though - gathering

with a purpose

Memorable martini at La Toque's chef's counter

Visitors like not having to drive to wine tasting/wineries - in

walking

Everything reflects the reason why people come to the valley -

"bounty" is all here - craft, quality, food, wine

Connection among locals and visitors convergence

Hotel guests have opportunity to walk to any venue - hotels

advantage to offer

At one time, vehicles had no problem getting through

downtown and the Oxbow -now, there are pedestrians

crossing everywhere and making you stop. Extended night life.

Always fresh - does not get old -something new no matter how

often you come here

Making the decision to open Filippi's with knowledge of

future construction.

Sitting on your O.P.M. river deck - choices, hearing music,

watching kids, play dates

Knowing there are going to be many options

Unique property geography -unlike any other NorCal

property

CIA Serves many purposes -retail, wedding events, education

Risk Takers - vision of what could be and stuck it out.

Market vision.

Not Done YetCommons - amazing engineering

allows function, use options, aesthetics

Cool place to see and be seen

Business in the Oxbow are community supporters,

contribute locally - for example sports, charities, and fund

raisers

Oxbow can accommodate any event and have multiple options

Not restricted - Sight lines can be experienced because scale is still pedestrian. Vision can be

like "Little Italy"

1,000 people can attend an event in the Commons - then disperse to the businesses and continue to enjoy music, food, beer &

wine and visiting

Opportunity for growth and quality design of new buildings -

architecture will define area

Compelling question - Imagine the Oxbow in 2050 - what we

do now impacts

Today's discussion regarding future of the Oxbow -

compelling that we get to participate in this effort today.

The evolution of Oxbow is interpreted differently and is

compelling.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMPELLING ASPECTS ABOUT THE OXBOW DISTRICT?

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES THAT FACE THE OXBOW DISTRICT TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE?



What are the challenges that face the Oxbow District today and in the future?Story - Customers Complain

about Parking

Example -Customers do not come to Oxbow and for events that people perceive that there will not be parking. And yelp

reviews say "CIA has no space at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Story - Driving on Soscol, what drives me to turn which way?

Example - Future Development and Growth, is it inviting or a

wall?

Story - Community Napa Residents / Elks Club

Example - Oxbow Not for Locals

Story - FEMA - Flood Control and Publishing Map Delayed

Example - Impacting Development

Story - Riverfront Interface Sensitivity Promoted

Example - Development Sites

Story - With Development, How to accommodate visitors but

preserve coolness?

Example - All Development

Story - Permit Process & Development of Area = Limited Resources impacting commercial

Example - Music/After Hours

Story - Pedestrian Traffic / Vehicle Traffic - Crossing Soscol Avenue is Scary and threatening

to cross - other measures

Example: Personal examples. No communication between parks

and trailStory - Permanent Residents Base to Further Help Support

Community

Example - Development Proposals

Story - Finish Flood Control Project to reduce flood

insurance premiums

Example - Business Experiences

Story - Keeping locals engaging -Keeping Identity. Victim of Own

Success

Example - Agrarian, Nature/Commercial Balance is

what business / residents / visitors like

Story - Understanding uniqueness and history as

development occurs; tourists like to go where locals are

Example- History / Cultural Past

Story - Go Elsewhere - No Parking

Example - Personal Experiences (Farmer's Market, Special

Events)

Story - Connectivity Need Friendlier way to Cross Soscol,

Draw People

Example - Personal Experiences No Knowledge of Oxbow Path

Story - Exposure; Hotel Visitors Don't Know about Oxbow; No Apps; Hard to Get Word Out

Example - Interactions at desk 90% of visitors do not know

about -Hotel Experiences

Story - Housing (Need For)

Example - Multiple businesses Experience - Hotels, Wine Train,

Restaurants, ETC.

Story - Enthusiasm; But takes too long to get done - Economy

development and building process

Example - Development worried about their projects getting done; already missed one

economic cycle

Story - How can City of Napa be the main destination - challenge

(Need to accelerate)

Example - Center of gravity shifted from St. Helena and Calistoga to Napa. Business

closing in other valley cities. Tie better into up valley wine

industries

Story - No life after 7:30 p.m. and business close early

Story - On River Experience (Quality, Other)

Example - Personal Experiences, smells, trash, Lack of cleanliness

murkiness

Story - Continued development needs to be well planned, well

timed, and fit within the general plan of design (Not anti-

development)

Example - Observations by existing business, residents.

Story - Seasonality Challenges to Business Sustainability

Example - Storefronts empty during business hours

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES THAT FACE THE OXBOW DISTRICT TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE?




“The Oxbow District is all about families.” – Event Participant

Documents

SUMMARY BOOKLET - City of Napa