Depot Plaza

Let’s start with the easy part: Mill Valley residents have a deep, profound love for the Depot Plaza. It gives us yet another opportunity to remind ourselves that longtime local architect and civic leader Richard “Dick” Jessup and others spearheaded the idea to transform the former train station-turned-bus station at the center of Mill Valley’s downtown into the plaza.

At a Parks & Recreation Commission hearing on Nov. 2, commissioners and community members will have their say on the best way forward. The Mill Valley Chamber recommends taking a measured approach on the next steps by creating the Plaza extension but not rushing into delineating the extension’s specific use immediately, so as to let the community see the space, hear specific proposals and visualize what might make the most sense long-term.

The city is eyeing the spring of 2023 for the next phase, with a primary focus on paving and curb ramp improvements along Throckmorton Avenue and Miller Avenue.  That is likely to also include an expansion of the sidewalk along the block of Miller between Sunnyside and Throckmorton avenues, potentially freeing up additional sidewalk dining and additional sidewalk real estate for merchants.