Lodi Downtown Specific Plan
The City of Lodi is actively advancing its Downtown Specific Plan, a comprehensive initiative to revitalize the city center into a vibrant, mixed-use, and walkable district. Here's an overview of the plan's key elements and progress:
Key Components of the Plan
Mixed-Use Development: The plan emphasizes creating a lively downtown with integrated residential, commercial, and public spaces. Goals include expanding housing opportunities downtown and incentivizing mixed-use zoning to blend retail, offices, and housing[3][44].
Historic Preservation: Efforts to maintain downtown’s historic character include preserving architectural features and upgrading infrastructure, such as decorative streetlights and parking structures[3].
Transportation and Accessibility: Improving multi-modal transit options (walking, biking, public transit) and enhancing pedestrian safety through widened sidewalks, crosswalks, and traffic-calming measures are priorities[3][45].
Economic Revitalization: Policies aim to attract businesses through incentives like 0% energy-efficiency loans and microloan programs for small businesses. The plan also seeks to diversify economic opportunities and align with broader goals to raise median incomes[6][45].
Community Engagement
Public Workshops and Open Houses: Recent events include a January 9, 2025, workshop and a multi-day open house on February 4–5, 2025, at the Main Street Transitional Housing Center. Residents can provide feedback on redevelopment proposals[5][16].
Online Feedback: An ongoing community questionnaire allows residents to share ideas for downtown’s future[5].
Funding and Timeline
Budget: The project has a $750,000 allocation for consultant fees, approved as part of the 2024–2025 city budget[3][49]. Additional capital investments include $13 million for a new animal shelter and $3 million for Lodi Lake renovations[4].
Progress: The City issued an RFP in March 2024, received eight proposals, and is reviewing them with a stakeholder committee. The timeline anticipates 24 months for deliverables post-contract award[6][19].
Alignment with Broader Goals
Housing Element: The plan integrates transit-oriented development (TOD) to address housing needs, targeting a mix of affordability and proximity to downtown amenities[13].
Economic Development Strategy: It coordinates with a parallel Economic Development Strategic Plan to attract innovative industries and improve infrastructure[40].
General Plan Updates: The Downtown Specific Plan complements Lodi’s 2024 General Plan, which focuses on compact urban growth, agricultural preservation, and enhanced neighborhoods[2][43].
Current Challenges
Infrastructure Upgrades: Ongoing projects include repairing parking structures, installing LED streetlights, and addressing vandalism[3].
Community Concerns: Residents have noted traffic congestion and the need for balanced growth to maintain Lodi’s small-town character[47].
In summary, Lodi’s Downtown Specific Plan is a forward-looking effort to create a sustainable, inclusive, and economically vibrant downtown. With active community input and strategic investments, the city aims to balance growth with historic preservation while improving quality of life.
Sources
[1] Main Street Corridor Plan | Lodi, WI - Official Website https://www.cityoflodi.us/330/Main-Street-Corridor-Plan
[2] City of Lodi General Plan Update - CEQAnet - CA.gov https://ceqanet.opr.ca.gov/2009022075/2
[3] [PDF] City Council Strategic Vision Updates – Q4 - City of Lodi https://www.lodi.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7268/Q4-Strategic-Updates-100123-123123
[4] City Council Approves 2024-2025 Annual Budget - City of Lodi https://www.lodi.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=397&ARC=612
[5] Give Feedback on East-Lodi Redevelopment Plan - Meetup https://www.meetup.com/discover-lodi-with-left-leaning-neighbors/events/305832878/?eventOrigin=find_city_landing_topical_event
[6] City Council Strategic Vision | Lodi, CA https://www.lodi.gov/1260/City-Council-Strategic-Vision
[7] 2024 Downtown Specific Plan Request for Proposals - City of Lodi https://www.lodi.gov/bids.aspx?bidID=97
[8] File #: 23-112 - City of Lodi - Calendar https://lodica.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6414606&GUID=B9399F9F-062E-4247-8C69-C8A4B1AD19EF
[9] General Plan - Plan Documents - City of Lodi https://www.lodi.gov/191/Plan-Documents
[10] City of Lodi - Government - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1028486079308590&id=100064416235009&set=a.224990322991507
[11] City of Lodi, CA: Boards https://lodica.granicus.com/boards/w/f21f42922cd95b51/boards
[12] ARTICLE 1. | Code of Ordinances | Lodi, CA - Municode Library https://library.municode.com/ca/lodi/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT17DECO_ART1PUAPDECO_CH17.02INCOPR
[13] [PDF] 2023-2031 Housing Element Update iAdopted March 20, 2024 https://planlodi.com/images/docs/LDHEGP_HE_Adopted_2024_03_27_RL-clean.pdf
[14] SAVE THE DATE: On January 9,... - City of Lodi - Government https://www.facebook.com/CityofLodi/posts/save-the-date-on-january-9-2025-join-the-first-downtown-specific-plan-community-/1028486109308587/
[15] [PDF] NOP City of Lodi General Plan 2024 General Plan Update - CA.gov https://files.ceqanet.opr.ca.gov/296010-1/attachment/MFXc-kDMEHXvZc5k1fnFD88BZkfgx8lKYILJ-VXQo6vCpwQRQGOXot3ETEPtMHyPglnqYqzzwGiLkpq90
[16] SAVE THE DATE(S)! The next... - City of Lodi - Government | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1057500959740435&id=100064416235009
[17] [PDF] City of Lodi Housing Element Update! https://planlodi.com/images/docs/LDHEGP_Newsletter%201_2022%2003%2022%20RL.pdf
[18] Downtown Lodi on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/DElC3y5T8Iy/
[19] 2024 Downtown Specific Plan Request for Proposals - City of Lodi https://www.lodi.gov/bids.aspx?bidID=97
[20] General Plan - Plan Documents - City of Lodi https://www.lodi.gov/191/Plan-Documents
[21] [PDF] Executive Summary http://cityoflodi.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/4819?fileID=4629
[22] General Plan Element Updates https://planlodi.com/generalplan.html
[23] City of Lodi - File #: 24-038 https://lodica.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6505878&GUID=BA5E11EE-E5E2-43CF-9BD8-F3BD24B480B3
[24] ARTICLE 2. | Code of Ordinances | Lodi, CA - Municode Library https://library.municode.com/ca/lodi/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT17DECO_ART2ZODILAUSDEST_CH17.14GEPRDEUSST_17.14.100WAFEHE
[25] [PDF] Master Plan - Lodi Township https://loditownshipmi.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/master_plan.pdf
[26] Planning Commission | City of Lodi - Government was live. - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CityofLodi/videos/planning-commission/1481861972454418/
[27] City of Lodi, CA: Boards https://lodica.granicus.com/boards/w/f21f42922cd95b51/boards/9250
[28] KB Home Announces the Grand Opening of Its Newest Community ... https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240503362125/en/KB-Home-Announces-the-Grand-Opening-of-Its-Newest-Community-in-a-Desirable-Lodi-California-Master-Plan
[29] Chapter 15.34 | Code of Ordinances | Lodi, CA - Municode Library https://library.municode.com/CA/lodi/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT15BUCO_CH15.34GRMAPLREDE
[30] Participate https://planlodi.com/participate
[31] Hi we're the Downtown Lodi Business Alliance, a non ... - Instagram https://www.instagram.com/downtownlodi/p/CzmB7cdsEmQ/
[32] Planning Commission | City of Lodi - Government was live. - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CityofLodi/videos/planning-commission/833074458631176/
[33] City of Lodi - Government - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CityofLodi/photos/submit-your-comments-on-lodis-general-plan-element-updates-the-city-has-drafted-/983358937154638/
[34] City of Lodi - Government - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1044829621007569&id=100064416235009&set=a.224990322991507
[35] Public Hearing Notices | Lodi, CA https://www.lodi.gov/155/Public-Hearing-Notices
[36] Resources https://planlodi.com/resources
[37] Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee | City of Lodi https://www.facebook.com/CityofLodi/videos/site-plan-and-architectural-review-committee/1287557472164801/
[38] [PDF] DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN - City of Pleasanton https://www.cityofpleasantonca.gov/assets/our-government/community-development/downtown.pdf
[39] [PDF] Comprehensive Plan 2035 - The Village of Lodi https://villageoflodi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Lodi-Comprehensive-Plan.pdf
[40] [PDF] The City of Lodi Economic Development Director - Avery Associates https://averyassoc.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Lodi-EDD-brochure.pdf
[41] [PDF] STRATEGIC PLAN https://www.cityoflodi.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/14119?fileID=11238
[42] Main Street Corridor Plan | Lodi, WI - Official Website https://www.cityoflodi.us/330/Main-Street-Corridor-Plan
[43] Lodi General Plan Update, EIR, and Housing Element https://www.dyettandbhatia.com/projects/lodi-general-plan-update,-eir,-and-housing-element-
[44] City Council Strategic Vision | Lodi, CA https://www.lodi.gov/1260/City-Council-Strategic-Vision
[45] [PDF] City Council Strategic Vision Updates – Q4 - City of Lodi https://www.lodi.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7268/Q4-Strategic-Updates-100123-123123
[46] City of Lodi General Plan Update - CEQAnet - CA.gov https://ceqanet.opr.ca.gov/2009022075/2
[47] What it's like to live in Lodi, CA? Any pros and cons? - Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/Lodi/comments/17xeen1/what_its_like_to_live_in_lodi_ca_any_pros_and_cons/
[48] City of Lodi - Love Your Block Program - Institute for Local Government https://www.ca-ilg.org/post/city-lodi-love-your-block-program-0
[49] [PDF] City Response to Questions - City of Lodi https://www.lodi.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8235/COL---Economic-Development-Strategic-Plan---Addendum-1