Frequently Asked Questions

Project Planning

  • The project will span several years and be developed over multiple phases. The project will likely progress from West (closer to Erbes Rd) to East (closer to Conejo School Road). Design of the first phase is estimated to be complete in 2026, with the potential to break ground in 2027. The adaptive reuse of the current City Hall space will be part of a subsequent phase. 

  • Measure E is a local voter-adopted 30-year growth-control measure that was approved by voters in 1996. However, the language of Measure E specifically states that it does not apply when a land-use amendment is required to allow a viable use of publicly owned land that has been declared surplus and is no longer needed for a public purpose. Measure E does not govern limits on height. 

  • The recently adopted General Plan explicitly calls for the creation of a Downtown on the Civic Arts Plaza site and includes several land-use goals that are fulfilled by the Downtown Project. The 2023 General Plan update indicated the need for a General Plan Amendment once a project had been defined and prepared for hearings.  

  • There is currently no development partner selected. All design and entitlements have been pursued by the City itself. A partner developer will be selected for the construction and operation of the mixed-use buildings and hotel. They will be competitively selected through a thorough Request for Qualifications and Proposals process. The City expects to select a partner developer in Q1 2027. You can learn more about the City’s purchasing process here. 

  • The 3D flyover of the Downtown Project are available online on the City’s YouTube channel. The file for the 3D model is available upon request and requires a PC to operate. No additional software is required. Please email downtown@toaks.gov to request the 3D file. 

  • Drop us a note here or send an email to downtown@toaks.gov.

Project Components

  • The goal of the Downtown core is to create a mix of retail and restaurant experiences that appeal to all residents and visitors. The food hall/public market space will house a collection of small eateries and shop owners that could include bakeries, coffee roasters, winemakers, and other culinary and specialty food items. The tenant spaces along Main Street may include fast casual and full-scale restaurants, cafes, boutique fitness studios, and other establishments commonly found in successful downtowns. 

  • The Civic Arts Plaza (CAP) was completed in October 1994 as a regional performing arts and civic center. The campus includes the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre, and the 394-seat Scherr Forum Theatre, which also doubles as the Andrew P. Fox City Council Chambers and Planning Commission venue. The campus includes a 750-space 5-level parking structure, and 87,000 s.f. of office area dedicated to City Hall functions and 10,000 s.f. for tenants. Total building area on the CAP campus is 209,000 s.f. The theatres collectively host about 200,000 visitors each year for a variety of live performances/events from musical theatre and bands, to speakers and local school and dance performances. 

  • The 3D flyover of the Downtown Project are available online on the City’s YouTube channel. The file for the 3D model is available upon request and requires a PC to operate. No additional software is required. Please email downtown@toaks.gov to request the 3D file. 

  • The Downtown Project will include 39 designated affordable units at the Low Income category, with income limits on the maximum a household can earn. This makes housing more accessible to families and young professionals. Rents for the designated units will be based on a percentage of household income, depending on which income limit the household falls into. While the City’s inclusionary ordinance requires 10% of the base density to be designated affordable, the Downtown Project contains 24% affordable. To be eligible for one of the affordable designated units, a household can earn up to the following income thresholds: 1-person $83,850, 2-person $95,800, 3-person $107,800, 4-person $119,750. Item description

  • Drop us a note here or send an email to downtown@toaks.gov.