Case Studies Urban Transformation: Historic Downtown Meets Transit-Oriented Future
Downtown San Dimas Specific Plan — San Dimas, CA
Interwest, part of the SAFEbuilt family of companies, joined forces with the City of San Dimas to create its first Downtown Specific Plan — setting the stage for smart growth around the new transit station while honoring downtown’s historic roots.
Goal
Our goal was simple: transform downtown San Dimas into a vibrant destination that welcomes both transit riders and pedestrians while protecting the area’s historic character and small-town charm.
Service Lines
Planning & Zoning 
Public Outreach Spotlight
The City of San Dimas faced a key challenge: making the most of the new Metro light rail station coming in 2025 while keeping downtown’s historic appeal. Interwest stepped in with a plan that encourages new development near transit while preserving what makes downtown special. The plan identifies key sites within walking distance of the station that are perfect for new housing, shops, and the creative reuse of existing buildings.
Solutions
To meet the community’s needs, we supported the City of San Dimas with:
- Comprehensive market analysis
- Land use and housing framework
- Mobility and parking strategies
- Infrastructure assessment
- Urban design guidelines
- Public realm improvements
- Community engagement program
- Environmental review
- Plan document development
- Implementation roadmap
Results
The Downtown Specific Plan successfully delivers a community-supported vision that establishes clear development standards while creating a pedestrian-friendly, vibrant downtown environment. Through strategic planning, the vision enables thoughtful infill development near transit while preserving the historic district’s unique character.
The plan provides comprehensive implementation tools and phasing strategies, efficiently leveraging existing infrastructure to promote sustainable, transit-oriented growth throughout the downtown area.
For more information on how Interwest’s amazing Planning Team executed this fantastic project, please click here.
