Benicia's Downtown Plan Receives National Award

Benicia's Downtown Plan Receives National Award
Article Launched: 04/08/2008

BENICIA - The city's relatively new downtown plan received a national award over the weekend, city officials said.

The Downtown Mixed-Use Master Plan was one of three city codes recognized as exemplary form-based codes, meaning they focus on design rather than land use.

Benicia's plan is "a model for how to do these nationwide," said community development director Charlie Knox, who received the award Saturday in Texas.

Adopted in September, the downtown plan aims to preserve the flavor and historic integrity of downtown Benicia by emphasizing building form.

The first project that was subject to the new plan is slated to begin construction soon on East E Street.