Cupertino, home to Apple Computer, boasts a high quality of life with strong neighborhoods and some of the best schools in the country. But commercial districts needed revitalization and the local economy had slowed. 

A first step was developing economic, design and mobility strategies for improving seven key opportunity sites in mixed-use and core commercial districts, including the aging and under-performing Vallco Shopping Mall. One alternative was developing an active retail and entertainment downtown center for Cupertino that would include public and educational uses. Key to success was extensive engagement with the City, community, and over two dozen different ownership interests and stakeholder groups, discussing mobility, urban design, housing and economic development challenges and solutions, as well as how the City and community can continue to work together to maintain and enhance Cupertino’s great quality of life. The resulting update to the City’s General Plan includes a new Amendment development process, tied to ensuring community benefits are included with all new non-residential projects in the city.