| | Published September 14th, 2011
| High Hopes for Rheem Center
Moraga residents voice big dreams for Rheem
| | By Sophie Braccini |  | | Mayor Karen Mendonca addresses residents at a visioning session
Photo Sophie Braccini
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About 100 Moraga residents came to share their vision for the Rheem Center area at two public input sessions organized by the Economic Development Action Team on August 27 and 29. Organizer Rene Zeimer, one of Moraga's three Economic Development Directors, was pleased with the cross-section of the population that came and the multitude of creative ideas that will help produce the guidelines for future development of the retail center and its environs.
"People want to see the Rheem Center and the surrounding neighborhood become a place to gather and socialize, a public space conducive to supporting business, that would create a sense of 'place'," says Zeimer as she summarizes the pages of notes and graphics that residents left with her at the end of the workshops. Residents want to see a place of beauty, combining art and entertainment. They want Moraga to become a destination, a place to escape from the city, off the beaten path.
Among the practical ideas residents talked about was how to improve circulation and "walkability" at Rheem, and in connection with the rest of the town, including breaking down the linear layout of the Center; other ideas included adding a central gathering place, cafes, a bakery, and a place to have a glass of wine. Many noted their appreciation of the New Rheem Theatre as a cultural center for the town.
"From the sessions will come some guidelines for the development of the neighborhood," says Zeimer, "the Planning Commission and Town Council will have to reflect on those and weigh-in." In the short term, her intention is to meet with all the property owners of the area-Kimco Realty is the biggest, but there are six others for the shopping center and 11 more in the rest of the neighborhood. "We are looking for win-win development ideas that will make the owners more successful and the residents happy," she concluded.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA