(DANVILLE, Calif.) – Where summer concerts once played on the Town Green, there's now a fenced-off construction site. Locals don't seem to mind; they've been waiting a long time for it. The project has been in the works since 2017; now, nearly a decade later, construction is finally underway on two new spaces in the heart of downtown: a pavilion for performances and a studio for making art.
The Town Green is a popular spot; it is not uncommon to see families with blankets, kids running around, and people gathering for events. But it has never had a permanent place for performers. The new pavilion will change that, giving the location a raised stage, a solid roof, and built-in lighting. That means fewer shows canceled by rain and no more squinting at the stage after dark. The town says the goal is to make the green a more useful and welcoming place to be.
Next door, near the library on Front Street, the Art District Makers Space will give people a spot to get their hands dirty. The studio will offer painting, pottery, and ceramics, with classes and workshops for all ages. Inside, there will be one big classroom that can be split into two smaller ones. Outside, there will be a patio. And in the back, there will be a kiln, which is the thing pottery fans are most excited about.
Photo Credits: Town of Danville / danville.ca.gov
The studio took a winding road to get here. The town once hoped to buy more properties along Front Street, but those plans fell through over the years. In 2023, officials decided to go ahead with the studio on its own.
On Aug. 12 of this year, town officials held a groundbreaking event with members of the Town Council and the town's park and arts commissions in attendance. Construction began the following Monday, Aug. 17, after the town waited for summer programs to wrap up.
Mayor Newell Arnerich called the day an exciting milestone for downtown. He said the new spaces will give the community more ways to connect, whether it's at a concert on the green or in an art class. The combined cost is $3.8 million, paid for through the town's regular Capital Improvement Program.
For now, the site will stay fenced off while crews work. At a recent commission meeting, members asked that the paths between the studio and the green be easy for everyone to use, including people with disabilities. The spaces are expected to open in phases, but the town hasn't announced a firm date. It's also a good time for new classes: Town staff recently said that sign-ups for recreation programs have increased and are back to where they were before the pandemic.
For a town that likes to gather, create, and show up for each other, downtown is about to get a lot more room to do it. The anticipated unveiling is set for spring 2027.
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