Online extra: Tomorrow's Leaders Today on Railroad Square

<p>Editor’s note: Teenagers participating in Tomorrow’s Leaders Today developed proposals for revitalizing the area around Railroad Square in Santa Rosa and wrote letters to the editor advocating their ideas. We included excerpts of their plans in an editorial that ran Sunday. Here are the letters submitted by the teenagers.</p><p>Creating a Metreon North</p><p>EDITOR: The blank plot of dirt in Railroad Square needs immediate attention. Such a centrally located place has the opportunity to be invaluable to the community. Residents, tourists and retail owners have potential to thrive in the square with this unique initiative.</p><p>Our plan would include all the basic ingredients for a model self-sustaining city. After being linked to downtown Santa Rosa by means of a bridge over the tracks, the main focus at the square would point towards the Metreon North — a multiple-floor building catering to the entertainment needs of people of all ages. This combined with signature restaurants and lounges would be a sight for sore eyes of weary travelers disembarking from the SMART train. </p><p>The surrounding area would be modeled after the successful Windsor Town Green, with retail stores lining walkable streets and sustainable planned housing above them. The outermost portions of Railroad Square, including the existing Sixth Street Playhouse, would be converted into small-scale residential area, complemented by a community garden.</p><p>From the futuristic and green design of the Metreon North to the simplicity of new housing and all the retail in between, this is a proposal worthy of review by the city. </p><p>GUS GREENSTEIN</p><p>Maria Carrillo High School</p><p>A smart community</p><p>EDITOR: The Scene: A barren, seven-acre plot of contaminated soil, adorned with dilapidated brick facades that no one will tear down. </p><p>The Vision: A “SMART” place to get off the train. We propose that the lot adjacent to the potential SMART train depot be a monument to community cohesion.</p><p>It shall have a sparkling, eco-friendly pond, surrounded by walking paths and apple trees. Local merchants, weekly farmers market, showcase of youth artistic talent, and assortment of stores and restaurants will be featured.</p><p>In addition, the promenade will be powered efficiently with solar panels. Free wi-fi, convenient parking and accessible bus transportation would be available. And, or course, the SMART train will be just a block away.</p><p>JULIE SANCHEZ and MADELYNE TRIONE</p><p>Ursuline High School</p><p>A chance to unify downtown</p><p>EDITOR: As participating members of Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, we have seen and discussed the planning and development of Santa Rosa and strongly believe that SMART is a good investment for our future.</p><p>It will make it easier for commuters to travel in an environmentally friendly way and provide people with more options for transportation.</p><p>It will also bring more people into Santa Rosa, revitalizing our downtown area. SMART has the potential to begin the effort to unify Santa Rosa’s downtown, making it a safe and enjoyable place for people from all walks of life.</p><p>KJELLEN BELCHER</p><p>Santa Rosa High School</p><p>Creating a green village</p><p>EDITOR: The green village is the development that this city needs. It would bring many people to the less-popular railroad area.</p><p>The village is a clean, safe area that promotes community and involvement of young adults. In this plan, the historical value would be preserved by converting the old rail cars into restaurant space and the older buildings would be accented by similar brick and stone architecture. </p><p>This area would attract families and young people to this part of town with a variety of shops and activities and a pedestrian-friendly setting with parks, fountains and a stage. The outdoor stage in the plaza would be a venue for performances from the nearby playhouse and dance center as well as other local performers. </p><p>This plan was generated by teenagers with social appeal and accessibility in mind. With its plentiful shops, restaurants, green spaces and recreational facilities, Green Village is designed to be a magnet for social gatherings and community interaction. </p><p>NATE WOODWARD</p><p>Santa Rosa High School</p><p>A transit and commerce hub</p><p>EDITOR: There is a large open space adjacent to the railroad tracks and Railroad Square that is currently a detriment to Santa Rosa. It is barren with a few dilapidated buildings, abandoned railroad cars and homeless people.</p><p>I believe this area should be renovated into a mixed-use community that would provide housing for a variety of people and improve Santa Rosa’s atmosphere. This space could become a hub of transportation and commerce.</p><p>I propose that the two abandoned railroad cars be moved to the cannery building and a museum that focuses on the history of the railroad in Santa Rosa could be built there. I also strongly believe that a park should be created with residences nearby that overlook it.</p><p>Restaurants and businesses would be given the chance to choose this new hub to sell their products. Commuters and other who use the SMART train would take advantage of these restaurants and retail stores, which would bring profit to Santa Rosa.</p><p>This transit-oriented, mixed-use development would provide an excellent location for recreational activities for locals and commuters alike. I advocate this plan for the good of Santa Rosans now and is the future. </p><p>SUZI ROZGA</p><p>Santa Rosa High School</p><p>and ANDY FERRARA</p><p>Analy High School</p><p>A Santa Rosa town green</p><p>EDITOR: Since the Windsor Town Green has been completed, Santa Rosa residents have found entertainment by driving to neighboring cities rather than staying in Santa Rosa.</p><p>By constructing a SMART train running from Cloverdale to Larkspur through Santa Rosa, residents can both embrace and share their prosperous wine industry with neighboring towns. I think that this is necessary for bringing people to Santa Rosa, rather than taking people from Santa Rosa.</p><p>Furthermore, the proposed development of a train platform attached to a market/town green would strengthen local industry. Without this sense of unity, Santa Rosa will lose its identity.</p><p>In this town green, I propose a central plaza with a stage for musical performances or theater productions with chairs, tables and a wonderful tile mosaic compass rose in the center.</p><p>Alongside the mosaic I think a food and wine center is necessary for enriching our community. Inside the building would be cooking classes, wine tasting and history of Santa Rosa’s agriculture.</p><p>My plans include using solar panels on all of the buildings and gray water to water the green.</p><p>ANNIE OLSON</p><p>Sonoma Academy</p><p>Variety for downtown</p><p>EDITOR: The design I propose will greatly improve the look and feel of the undeveloped Railroad Square area.</p><p>The emphasis of my design is to bring variety and attraction to the extended downtown area, appealing to both native Santa Rosans and commuters. With street level shops and restaurants lining the pathways, the area will become lively and pedestrian friendly. It will serve as an area of interest for the entire community, from adults to children, locals to tourists.</p><p>Housing above the stores, each building with four stories of apartments, will use the space efficiently, and all will use eco-friendly “green” designs.</p><p>Locally-owned small businesses will support the local economy and attractions such as a bowling alley and a small outdoor amphitheater present a wide range of activities for anyone in the area.</p><p>I believe this design will be appealing to many different kinds of people and will convert this space into a useful, enjoyable area. It is my hope that this design will improve Santa Rosa now and for posterity’s sake.</p><p>CAITLIN KIRKPATRICK</p><p>Santa Rosa High School</p><p>A smart plan for SMART site</p><p>EDITOR: The “smart site” where a SMART rail station might be built in the near future is in disarray. The plan I propose will feature an eco-friendly theme to go along with the SMART train.</p><p>The plan would include a sky walkway connecting the station on the east side of the rails to a brand new plaza surrounded with shops (ala downtown Windsor) on the west side of the tracks.</p><p>I propose converting the abandoned boxcars that are currently there into an upscale coffee shop or other tourist attraction like a museum. Along the side of the plaza are small pedestrian friendly roads with more shops that run along the west side of the tacks.</p><p>Behind the plaza, a small road leads to a park with tennis courts and a pair of pedestrian bridges that span the creek. On the other side of the creek, I propose a small San Francisco-style mixed-use complex with condominiums and a first-story garage.</p><p>This plan would drastically improve the Railroad Square area and provide an eco-friendly theme to the public transportation station.</p><p>KYLE FIERRO</p><p>Santa Rosa High School</p>