General Plan Update Workshops Are a Big Success
The Antioch General Plan update visioning workshops were a huge success!
The City of Antioch recently hosted two workshops to hear residents’ thoughts and priorities for the city during its General Plan update process. With around 80 community attendees across both workshops, turnout was good.
We attended to listen to the people, not lobby them. And without any prompting from us, nearly all residents in attendance agreed with our priorities!
Along with prioritizing improved safety and job opportunities, a vast majority clearly want to protect and improve Antioch’s existing parks and keep big areas of open space in south Antioch undeveloped.
Participants were asked to mark places they valued in the city. Photo: Steven dePaschalis
Creating more stable jobs in the city, revitalizing run-down areas, and building climate-smart housing near transit that reduces the need for a car and decreases traffic were big hits.
People worked through activities where they got to voice these ideas. One activity had participants list positive words describing Antioch, as well as words describing where the city needs improvement.
People’s most common positives were open space, nature, the waterfront, and affordability. On the flipside, there was concern about job availability, public safety, and a lack of youth support, among other issues.
Some residents were also troubled by the amount of unaffordable homes being built.
Participants listed Antioch’s biggest positives. A common positive was open space and nature. Photo: Steven dePaschalis
Workshop attendees also had maps of the city at every table. Using different kinds of stickers, everyone got to mark locations on the map that they thought should be developed, improved on, or preserved.
Across both workshops, most tables marked the Zeka property in the Sand Creek area as one of Antioch’s highest preservation priorities.
Save Mount Diablo has fought for decades to protect this beautiful open space next to Black Diamond Mines from development.
Residents of Antioch agree it should be preserved, and made it very clear during the workshops!
Open space preservation is a big priority for nearly all residents. South Antioch’s open space was marked on maps as a high preservation priority at 11 out of 14 tables.
Antioch residents marked maps of the city with places they thought should be developed, improved on, or preserved. This table marked the Zeka property as a place to be preserved. Photo: Juan Pablo Galván Martínez
It’s clear that Antioch residents care deeply about their city.
The desire for open space protection, more jobs, maintaining businesses, and improving public transportation were high priorities that should be emphasized in the city’s updated General Plan!
We’re looking forward to staying engaged with Antioch residents as the city’s new “constitution for development” takes shape.
Thank you to all the residents who participated and city leadership, staff, and consultants for organizing the workshops and making them happen.
Dozens of people gave their input during the workshops. Photo: Juan Pablo Galván Martínez
