Healdsburg North Village and Healdsburg Avenue Improvements: Transforming the North Side of Town

North Healdsburg is poised to become one of the most sought-after destinations in Sonoma County, thanks to the North Village development and major improvements to Healdsburg Avenue. This article explores these exciting projects, detailing the master plan and additional enhancements that will significantly enrich the community.

The Vision for North Village

North Village is a 32-acre development set to bring substantial changes to North Healdsburg. Initially marked by the construction of the Montage Hotel and Spa Resort, the area also saw the addition of 25 Harvest Homes by Montage and 68 luxury custom home sites. These initial steps have set the stage for a broader transformation designed to enhance the town's unique charm and connectivity. 

Healdsburg Avenue Improvement Project

Starting next year, the Healdsburg Avenue Improvement Project will revitalize one of the town's main corridors. This significant upgrade aims to make Healdsburg Avenue safer, more accessible, and more enjoyable for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. By seamlessly linking downtown Healdsburg with the burgeoning North Village area, the project is expected to foster a stronger sense of community.

The project's main goals include making Healdsburg Avenue more pedestrian-friendly. Wider sidewalks will provide more space for pedestrians, offering a more comfortable and safer walking environment. The addition of landscaped protection, such as trees and greenery, will not only beautify the street but also act as a natural barrier between pedestrians and traffic, enhancing safety. The project also includes creating physical barriers between walkways and adjacent auto uses, which will significantly improve pedestrian safety by separating foot traffic from vehicle traffic. Improved crosswalks are another crucial element, ensuring that crossings are safer for everyone. The plan also includes providing more frequent opportunities for pedestrians to cross the street, making it easier for them to navigate the area. Lastly, enhanced driveway crossings will ensure these areas are safer, reducing the risk of accidents and making the entire corridor more pedestrian-friendly. Together, these improvements aim to make Healdsburg Avenue a more inviting and secure place for walking, encouraging more residents and visitors to explore the area on foot.

Biking is another major focus of the project. Whether you're a casual cyclist or a daily commuter, these enhancements are going to be a huge improvement. First of all, continuous bike lanes will be established, eliminating abrupt endings and ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted ride for cyclists without getting squeezed by the two lanes of traffic which is what happens as things currently stand. To further improve safety, intersections will be specifically designed to reduce conflicts between cyclists and vehicles, making biking a safer mode of travel for everyone which can only help reduce car usage especially as electric bikes become more popular. The project will also enhance connections to existing and planned Foss Creek trails, making it easier for cyclists to move around Healdsburg only on dedicated cycle lanes. Additional bike amenities, such as more bike racks and storage lockers, will also be installed, providing secure parking options for cyclists. While a reduction in carbon emissions and reduced car use is not necessarily a stated goal, these changes are designed to encourage more people to consider biking as a convenient and enjoyable way to get around Healdsburg. These changes will go some way to promoting biking as a viable and attractive transportation option around Healdsburg.

The Healdsburg Avenue Improvement Project also includes significant enhancements for those who rely on public transit, aiming to make it a more attractive and efficient option. Improved bus stops will make waiting for the bus more comfortable and safe for passengers. The plan is that there will also be some route adjustments, including changes to timings, locations, and frequencies, which should make public transit more reliable and convenient. While the focus isn’t on cars, drivers haven't been left out of the plan either. The proposed enhancements for cars include synchronizing traffic signals to improve flow and reduce wait times, better access to businesses, adding on-street parking in key areas to accommodate more visitors, and maintaining emergency access routes for safety in the event of an evacuation. These changes aim to balance the needs of drivers with the overall goal of making Healdsburg Avenue a more pleasant place for everyone.

While improving the environment for travel, the project also focuses on enhancing comfort, supporting local businesses, integrating nature, and celebrating the town's history. Key comfort improvements include planting street trees for shade and traffic calming, adding landscaped bump-outs and roundabouts for safety - although it does make me laugh adding roundabouts in the US as I feel so many people aren’t entirely sure who gives way to who - and improving lighting for better nighttime visibility. The project will also widen sidewalks to accommodate outdoor retail for local businesses while still providing some options for short-term parking for loading and unloading. Integrating nature into the urban environment is another key aspect of the project, which includes adding trees and greenery, using natural stormwater management systems, and creating a linear park experience. These improvements are designed to make Healdsburg Avenue a functional and attractive landmark for the community rather than being avoided at all costs.

North Village Developments

Enso Village:

Enso Village is the first development to open in North Village, offering a Zen-inspired approach to retirement living. Focused on mindful aging, environmental stewardship, and healthy life choices for adults 60 and older, Enso Village aims to foster a deeper connection with nature and self. When fully occupied, Enso Village will house about 300 residents aged 60 and over. The community will offer various levels of care, including in-home care, assisted living, and memory care, with the latter two starting soon. There will be 24 rooms designed for residents with mild to moderate dementia, Alzheimer’s, or similar conditions, and 30 assisted living units separate from memory care.

Some of the first residents were more than a dozen former San Francisco Zen Center teachers, for whom 20 units have been reserved. They teach in the village, as do other people with various specialties. The community features a Japanese zendo or meditation building as its centerpiece, surrounded by residential buildings and lush gardens. The serene setting aims to foster a deeper connection with nature and self.

Interestingly, residents do not own the real estate despite paying a significant upfront fee. Instead, they sell their homes to pay the entrance fee and then pay a monthly fee covering their living expenses. This model may not be suitable for everyone, but it offers a unique living experience for those seeking a community-focused environment.

Hotel Appellation:

Scheduled for completion in the summer of 2025, Hotel Appellation is a new project by renowned chef Charlie Palmer and hospitality expert Christopher Hunsberger. The 108-room hotel will feature a 4,700-square-foot restaurant, recreational facilities, and extensive event spaces. The project, which officially broke ground in March 2024, is being constructed by R.D. Olson Construction, with an estimated total cost exceeding $100 million.

Hotel Appellation aims to offer a mixture of comfort and high-end amenities, catering to both hotel guests and the local community. Recreational facilities at the hotel include two swimming pools, a modern fitness center, and a luxurious wine country spa. The hotel also features lobby and rooftop bars, extensive event spaces, and affordable workforce housing units. This combination of amenities aims to support local employees and contribute to Healdsburg's housing solutions.

Boxheart Commons:

Boxheart Commons aims to be the heart of community connection in north Healdsburg. Drawing on the site's history as a lumber mill, this development will offer a mix of retail, housing, and public spaces. The 12,000 square feet of mixed-use retail will include a deli-style market and cafes, while the retail promenade will provide ample parking and be connected via bike and pedestrian footpaths. Boxheart Commons will also feature rental housing units and live/work options, addressing the critical need for workforce housing.

Boxheart Commons is designed to be accessible by car, bicycle, or foot, and will be connected to the Foss Creek Trail system and the walking trail that encircles The North Village. There will also be community shuttle access to downtown Healdsburg, making it easy for residents and visitors to travel between different parts of the town. Whether you are walking from Parkland Farms, e-biking from the Plaza, or driving from the Bay Area, Boxheart Commons is designed to be accessible to everyone. The project aims to create a truly mixed-use development that enhances the community's quality of life by providing a blend of retail, housing, public spaces, and event venues.

Conclusion

The combined efforts of the Healdsburg Avenue Improvement Project and North Village developments are set to transform North Healdsburg into a vibrant, connected, and desirable community. These projects promise to enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike, creating a safer, more accessible, and enjoyable environment. Whether you are walking, biking, driving, or using public transit, these improvements will make navigating Healdsburg more pleasant and convenient, fostering a stronger sense of community and connectivity. With new housing, retail, and community spaces, north Healdsburg is set to become a dynamic and appealing destination in Sonoma County.