A History of Downtown Pleasant Hill

 

Challenges Faced in Building the New Downtown

 

The area that is now the City of Pleasant Hill grew during World War II from farmland to a bedroom community. Residents voted to join in 1961.

 

Early on, community leaders expressed concern about the worsening condition of many properties developed decades before the intersection of Contra Costa Boulevard and Monument Boulevard, two main roads across the community. At the same time, it was envisaged that this central area could be turned into a civic identity focal point, offering a gathering place for residents and strengthening the "sense of place" of the neighborhood.

 

The City discussed different ways of achieving its dream in the early 1970s and, as approved by the State Community Redevelopment Act, adopted the Pleasant Hill Commons Redevelopment Plan for the city in 1974.

 

The Renovation Plan provided a basis for future decisions on the type and amount of new development to be allowed, defined the administrative powers needed to implement the plan, and developed the financial tool of revenue from property tax increases to fund public improvements and promote renovation projects in the private sector.

 

The goals of the Redevelopment Plan were strongly supported by the citizens of Pleasant Hill. However, it would be nearly twenty-five years before a new downtown, fulfilling these dreams, would be born.

 

Geography

 

The city has a total area of 7.1 square miles (18 km2) according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Pleasant Hill, with some valleys and rolling hills, has a diverse landscape. You will find oak trees and mixed woodland in the undisturbed wilderness. It is located in San Francisco Bay in the middle east.

 

Climate

 

This area has warm and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius) According to the Köppen Climate Classification System, Pleasant Hill has a Mediterranean warm-summer climate, abbreviated as "Csb" on climate maps. Winter daytime temperatures appear to be in the 1950s and 1960s, and summers range from the high 70s to the high 80s, often hitting the low 90s. The temperatures can exceed one hundred degrees during extreme heatwaves on very rare occasions. It's unusual to freeze in winter, but it does happen. Occasional summer fog, but winter fog is very common.

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The following parks are located in Pleasant Hill, California:
 

• Contra Costa County Library

• Brookwood Park

• Rodgers-Smith Park

• Dinosaur Hill Park

• Paso Nogal Park

• Pleasant Hill Aquatic Park

• Pleasant Hill Education Center Pool

• Pleasant Hill Park

• Pleasant Oaks Park
   

All of these wonderful landmarks are located just a short drive from our location near Downtown Walnut Creek, California on Locust Street. Stop by for a visit anytime!