Last Friday, the City of Fremont celebrated the completion of Phase II of the Capitol Avenue sidewalk and streetscape project (between State Street and Mowry Avenue). With a $5.8 million grant from One Bay Area, Capitol Avenue has been transformed from an ordinary sidewalk to a multi-modal street that includes screen walls, festoon lighting, and banners. The new Capitol Avenue enhances the pedestrian, bike, and car experience with street furniture, wider sidewalks, painted bike lanes, and free public parking.

The streetscape project is one more step forward in the implementation of Fremont’s Downtown plan, creating a place for the community to come together, celebrate, hang out, and interact with one another. The celebratory event was attended by many elected city council members (past and present) and residents, who were also able to enjoy gourmet food trucks at Fremont Street Eats afterwards.

Reinforcing how a Downtown fosters a sense of community, the event also coincided with the City’s annual Halloween event — Trick or Treat on Downtown Safety Street. The little ones were dressed up as everything from little monsters to princesses to action heroes. While waiting for the spooky evening to get started, attendees could also visit the Alameda County Library Bookmobile (ACLB). ACLB is a full-service, traveling library filled with materials and resources for all ages.

While this was an important milestone, you’ll have to pardon our progress for a little while longer. Capitol Avenue’s final phase across Paseo Padre Parkway and through the Gateway Plaza connecting to the BART station will continue in 2017.

Here are some fun photos from the event.