2017 November PASO Magazine
The Story of Us — PASO Magazine takes a monthly look at our remarkable community. The Story of Us — PASO Magazine takes a monthly look at our remarkable community.
BUSINESS GROUNDBREAKING SET FOR SPRINGTIME IN 2018 HOTEL AVA PROJECT IS REDEFINED TO REFLECT PASO ROBLES DOWNTOWN By Melissa Chavez A prime commercial corner lot in Paso Robles has been revived for groundbreaking in 2018 following recent building project approval by the Paso Robles Planning Commission. The 2.42- acre parcel at 944 Pine Street sat dormant since Hayward Lumber closed its doors to concentrate on business holdings in San Luis Obispo, but will soon become a downtown destination known as Hotel Ava. Building demolition — to provide a clean slate for redefined vision — is scheduled for next year, according to owner and Project Manager Debbie Lorenz. The first inception, 189,331 square foot Pine Street Promenade, was a comparatively grander project approved by the Planning Commission in 2014 — designed as a Tuscan-influenced hotel, restaurant facilities, performing arts theater and accompanying parking complex. Hotel Ava is planned as a 105,195 square foot project is estimated to take roughly a year and a half to complete after groundbreaking. Lorenz and business partner Brett Van Steenwyck, whose downtown properties include the Acorn Building and Odd Fellows Building (Park Ballroom), decided to revise the plan to harmonize more effectively with the surrounding area. Also referred to by the working title of Pine Street Hotel, the project was named Hotel Ava shortly after the Planning Commission approved the plan in late September. Hotel “Ava” refers to Paso Robles’ regional designation as an American Viticulture Area. The goal is to honor the community’s agribusiness heritage, contributions of both pioneer families and devoted transplants and tourism industry which helps support the region. Lorenz hopes the community will be happy with the design changes for Hotel Ava. “I want it to be an approachable space where locals come and embrace something they can be proud of. It’s important to create something that truly adds to our Downtown,” she said. The new design for the oblong-shaped parcel that stretches north to south has been reconfigured for a more engaging and comfortable feel. The exterior will feature brick veneer over plaster and warm stone finishes in an urban-industrial vibe. New structures will range from ground-level to four stories high. To anchor the southeast corner of 10th and Pine streets, a spacious ground-level restaurant will include a shaded, open-air rooftop bar with northern views that face Downtown and City Park. Next to the second-story bar will be an above-ground swimming pool. Elevated at 17 feet high, the oblong pool will be surrounded by stone tile and raised planters. A total of 151 hotel rooms will take up the second, third and fourth floors in lodging of varying sizes. Balconies and larger suites will be set on the outer perimeter. From north to south along Pine Street, a pedestrian-friendly entrance will open to a 4,780-square-foot retail space 42 PASO Magazine, November 2017
divided into smaller units. Adjacent to the retail portion will be a 1,960 sq. ft. commercial kitchen, 1,188 sq. ft. banquet kitchen, a 2,904 sq. ft. meeting space with teleconferencing capabilities, plus operational, storage and administration buildings. Centered within the parcel will be a tree-shaded valet-serviced entrance that leads into a sweeping interior space of 3,351 square feet, featuring a lobby and lounge seating with a two-sided fireplace. Inviting niches will be placed throughout where people can gather and converse, sit with a laptop or relax with a cup from the coffee bar. Just south of the entrance will be guest parking with 179 spaces. PLANNING WITH A FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY Zoned in the Uptown/Town Center Specific Plan, the prospective hotel, restaurant and retail project aligns with the existing designation as “Town Center-1” within the City’s General Plan and current Economic Strategy. Transit Occupancy Taxes collected from the Downtown location will provide monetary sustainability to the General Fund along with local employment. Center and Amtrak train station, where traveling guests are inclined to park their vehicles or use area transit. Bicycle parking will also be made available onsite for Hotel AVA employees and guests. Impacts to public safety services were also determined to suffer less than significant impacts. Emergency Services are located one block away at 9th and Park streets with nearby highway access. Demand for new services would not be proposed and incremental impacts would be alleviated through standard development impact fees. important to pay homage to our heritage, we need our younger generations to be excited about Paso so that they will choose to remain here and keep our town alive and vibrant.” HISTORICAL ROOTS AND RELATIONSHIPS In 2013, work began to protect five existing Valley Oak trees and one Coast Live Oak tree, which Low-impact development continue to receive TLC. An arborist’s (LID) features have been incorporated study determined that within the project the Valley oaks suffered varying design to reduce watertight degrees of damage from previous concrete paving and decom- surfaces. “Green” materials will promote groundwater recharge posed granite which essentially through bioretention. To help choked their critical root zones preserve area water quality, surface of needed moisture and oxygen. drainage facilities will clean Trunk scarring was discovered, pollutants before they ever reach too, likely caused by lumber the groundwater basin. For landscaping, trucks backing into them. graywater will be con- “I fought for those trees and served and recycled. I want to see them survive and Permeable hardscaping and thrive,” said Debbie. fencing will harmonize with A landscape plan was designed containers filled with native and to protect the de- drought-friendly plants and solar cades-old trees from further harm energy panels will be installed on and enhance their health. Meticulous rooftops. Throughout the structures, hand-digging, low-impact water-conserving fixtures tractors and safe construction and high-efficiency laundry and methods will reduce potential kitchen appliances will be used. harm to nearby root systems. Additional The Planning Commission also trees will also be planted reviewed information regarding on the property. increased traffic, everyday operational “Historical connection and noise and nighttime neighborliness are important to lighting. Like the previous large me. The relationship to our train plan, they determined all less station is part of that,” said Debbie. than significant impacts with no “I think it was important to or few modifications. The Commission change the design from a Tusable noted the project’s walkcan theme to accomplish these proximity to Downtown, as things and bring a sense of who well as the nearby Transportation we are to the project. Not only is it November 2017, PASO Magazine 43
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- Page 6 and 7: CONTENTS NOVEMBER A Monthly Look at
- Page 8 and 9: CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2017 DEPARTMENTS
- Page 10 and 11: Wrapping my head around the enormit
- Page 12 and 13: THIS ‘N’ OPERATION CHRISTMAS CH
- Page 14 and 15: PASO PEOPLE filled downtown Paso Ro
- Page 16 and 17: RESTORATIVE PARTNERS COMES TO PASO
- Page 18 and 19: Mighty Oaks leaders create resource
- Page 20 and 21: ROUND TOWN Every time I ask someone
- Page 22 and 23: TRAVELING REUNION OF VIETNAM VETERA
- Page 24 and 25: Beyond waving flags, salutes and pa
- Page 26 and 27: VETERANS DAY ACTIVITIES 2017 World
- Page 28 and 29: By Meagan Friberg oin all of us at
- Page 30 and 31: NEIGHBORS from page 28 • Monetary
- Page 32 and 33: “I would like to thank and honor
- Page 34 and 35: Organizers are officially seeking d
- Page 36 and 37: PASO’S POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS A NE
- Page 38 and 39: WHAT’S HAPPENING in Templeton thi
- Page 40 and 41: COUNTY PERSPECTIVE ROUND TOWN By Br
- Page 44 and 45: LOCAL GOODS REPORT MORNING GLORY FA
- Page 46 and 47: What’s Happening By Millie Drum o
- Page 48 and 49: EDUCATION & CULTURE A GALA CONCERT
- Page 50 and 51: A HOLIDAY FAMILY TRADITION By Heath
- Page 52 and 53: By Melissa Chavez Founder and direc
- Page 54 and 55: THE NATURAL ALTERNATIVE NUTRITION C
- Page 56 and 57: SPORTS SNAP AFTER SNAP, THE BEARCAT
- Page 58 and 59: HOOFBEAT By Dorothy Rogers In all o
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- Page 64 and 65: TIME & PLACE GriefShare All Saturda
- Page 66: LAST WORD PASO CARES Opens The Warm
BUSINESS<br />
GROUNDBREAKING SET FOR SPRINGTIME IN 2018<br />
HOTEL AVA PROJECT IS REDEFINED<br />
TO REFLECT <strong>PASO</strong> ROBLES DOWNTOWN<br />
By Melissa Chavez<br />
A prime commercial corner lot<br />
in Paso Robles has been revived<br />
for groundbreaking in 2018 following<br />
recent building project<br />
approval by the Paso Robles<br />
Planning Commission. The 2.42-<br />
acre parcel at 944 Pine Street sat<br />
dormant since Hayward Lumber<br />
closed its doors to concentrate<br />
on business holdings in San Luis<br />
Obispo, but will soon become a<br />
downtown destination known as<br />
Hotel Ava.<br />
Building demolition — to provide<br />
a clean slate for redefined vision<br />
— is scheduled for next year,<br />
according to owner and Project<br />
Manager Debbie Lorenz. The<br />
first inception, 189,331 square<br />
foot Pine Street Promenade, was<br />
a comparatively grander project<br />
approved by the Planning<br />
Commission in 2014 — designed<br />
as a Tuscan-influenced hotel,<br />
restaurant facilities, performing<br />
arts theater and accompanying<br />
parking complex. Hotel Ava is<br />
planned as a 105,195 square<br />
foot project is estimated to take<br />
roughly a year and a half to complete<br />
after groundbreaking.<br />
Lorenz and business partner<br />
Brett Van Steenwyck, whose<br />
downtown properties include the<br />
Acorn Building and Odd Fellows<br />
Building (Park Ballroom), decided<br />
to revise the plan to harmonize<br />
more effectively with the surrounding<br />
area. Also referred to<br />
by the working title of Pine Street<br />
Hotel, the project was named Hotel<br />
Ava shortly after the Planning<br />
Commission approved the plan<br />
in late September. Hotel “Ava”<br />
refers to Paso Robles’ regional<br />
designation as an American Viticulture<br />
Area. The goal is to honor<br />
the community’s agribusiness<br />
heritage, contributions of both<br />
pioneer families and devoted<br />
transplants and tourism industry<br />
which helps support the region.<br />
Lorenz hopes the community<br />
will be happy with the design<br />
changes for Hotel Ava.<br />
“I want it to be an approachable<br />
space where locals come<br />
and embrace something they<br />
can be proud of. It’s important to<br />
create something that truly adds<br />
to our Downtown,” she said.<br />
The new design for the oblong-shaped<br />
parcel that stretches<br />
north to south has been reconfigured<br />
for a more engaging<br />
and comfortable feel. The exterior<br />
will feature brick veneer over<br />
plaster and warm stone finishes<br />
in an urban-industrial vibe.<br />
New structures will range from<br />
ground-level to four stories high.<br />
To anchor the southeast corner<br />
of 10th and Pine streets, a spacious<br />
ground-level restaurant will<br />
include a shaded, open-air rooftop<br />
bar with northern views that<br />
face Downtown and City Park.<br />
Next to the second-story bar<br />
will be an above-ground swimming<br />
pool. Elevated at 17 feet<br />
high, the oblong pool will be surrounded<br />
by stone tile and raised<br />
planters. A total of 151 hotel<br />
rooms will take up the second,<br />
third and fourth floors in lodging<br />
of varying sizes. Balconies and<br />
larger suites will be set on the<br />
outer perimeter.<br />
From north to south along<br />
Pine Street, a pedestrian-friendly<br />
entrance will open to a<br />
4,780-square-foot retail space<br />
42 <strong>PASO</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>November</strong> <strong>2017</strong>
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