Hamilton Marketplace, Novato - A new sight greets evening drivers as they drive north toward Novato. Glittering pedestrian lamps and arched shop entries of the new Hamilton Marketplace capture the eye and the shopper’s imagination. The 90,000 sf mission style shopping center was completed in August 2008 and is a showcase for premiere planning, architecture, and implementation of green, sustainable construction. The project was honored by North Bay Business Journal in its 2008 Top Ten Construction Projects Awards as the Best in Retail.
The developer, Grosvenor USA, is committed to sustainable growth principles and partnered with The City of Novato Redevelopment Agency, Nadel Architects, Midstate Construction, CSW/Stuber-Stroeh Engineering Group, Gates & Associates, and Safeway for a successful collaboration. Team leadership and good communication skills maintained momentum and brought the project to completion ahead of schedule and on budget.
The northerly building is a new Wells Fargo Bank. The center building comprises 16 shops and restaurants and is already home to several tenants including Verizon Wireless, Peet’s Coffee & Teas, Petco Express, Sonoma Latina Grill and Yogen Fruz Yogurt. At the south side of the shopping center is the new 55,000 sf Safeway Store with an adjacent gas station.
Noteworthy site modifications are the 27,000 cubic yards of soil fill, extensive leveling, conversion of an existing storm-retention ditch into a complex flood prevention system, and coordination with the anticipated Smart Rail project of the North Bay area for railway easements. Green sustainable design elements include bioswales with soil-based materials to filter run-off water for a pollution-free water-table, progressive storm drains designed to recycle water, and retention pipes to hold heavy rain run-off which allows for gradual release to prevent flooding. Solar energy is provided by 165 high efficiency solar modules generating 44,960 kilowatt hours annually to service common areas, walkways and some parking lot areas.
Prominent architectural features are the mission style, variegated red tile roof, ample pedestrian level lighting and customer-friendly pedestrian pathways connecting the three components: Safeway – retail shops – bank. The pedestrian walks at the shops building are remembered by shoppers for the site-wide speaker-sound system, mature olive trees, two fountains with granite bowls, colored tile designs, a mural, and the whimsical sculpture of a gaggle of brass ducks placed around the fountains – even brass duck footprints leading to the fountains.
Colgan Meadows, Santa Rosa - This new 84-unit affordable housing project in Santa Rosa was recently fêted by the North Bay Business Journal as the 2008 Best Project in Apartments at their annual Top Ten Projects Awards event. This project consists of 25 buildings plus a maintenance structure on four acres at 3000 Dutton Avenue. The residential units range from 1 bedroom studio floor plans to 1 & 2 bedroom apartments and 3 & 4 bedroom townhouses. Families will also enjoy the easy access to schools, shops, and a future park already designated for development by the City of Santa Rosa.
In addition, the Colgan Meadows design features a Community Center which includes a large kitchen, meeting and office spaces, and a large laundry facility. The residents’ quality of life is further enhanced by attractive landscaping which focuses on a central “Green” and strategically placed common areas throughout the site with numerous varieties of trees, shrubbery, and decorative pavers. There is also a playground and sports court. Colgan Meadows is ADA compliant and all ground floor units are “visitable.”
Burbank Housing Development Corporation worked closely with the City of Santa Rosa, Kellogg & Associates, and Midstate Construction to incorporate as many current sustainability features as possible, such as bio-retention landscape areas to absorb storm waters, and solar panels on the Community Center to supply site lighting. Provision was made for an expandable photo voltaic system to other buildings in the future. Natural lighting was also a priority and many of the units have skylights.
Midstate has a long history of commitment to the construction of high-quality, affordable housing projects, and is proud to be a part of Colgan Meadows.