Murphy Avenue in Downtown Sunnyvale is a popular dining and entertainment destination. Pre-pandemic, it was open to automobile traffic. We are converting it to a pedestrian-only mall.

Latest Update
A topographic survey of Historic Murphy Avenue was completed in September 2023. An accessibility study based on new Americans with Disabilities Act requirements is being finalized. Following the results of the study, we will draft a scope for design consulting. We expect to hire a consultant in early 2024.

Background
In June 2020, the City temporarily closed the 100 Block of South Murphy Avenue to vehicles. This allowed restaurants the use of the street for outdoor dining during the COVID emergency. Council then created Study Issue OCM 22-01 - Permanently Close the 100 Block of South Murphy Avenue to Vehicular Traffic.

In May 2022, staff presented the study issue to the City Council. A citywide survey showed over 90% of respondents and almost 90% of downtown businesses support a permanent closure. Council directed staff to return with a process to permanently close Murphy Avenue to vehicular traffic.

In May 2023, Council adopted an Ordinance to convert the 100 Block of South Murphy Avenue into a pedestrian mall. It follows the Pedestrian Mall Law of 1960. A pedestrian mall is a former street closed to automobiles. It creates a pedestrian-only site for businesses to expand their outdoor dining onto their street frontages.

Murphy Avenue, between West Washington and West Evelyn avenues, is closed to vehicles. It will remain closed until the new pedestrian mall is completed. This process is currently underway.

The Cityline project is a 36-acre site in the core of downtown Sunnyvale. It is generally bound by S. Mathilda and Sunnyvale Avenues and Washington and Iowa Avenues. In 2016, a new developer (Cityline) took over the projects located in Block 18 (formerly known as the Town Center). Planned development will be a mixed-use of retail, dining and entertainment. Cityline is currently getting new commercial tenants. They are also obtaining approvals for new residential uses and office space. The new development meets recently approved changes to the Downtown Specific Plan.

• CityLine Work Area Diagram (31 MB PDF) – shows location of all construction

Retail and Residential Imagery

• Residential and Retail Exterior Plans (7 MB PDF)
• Retail Adjacent to Target Complete Plans (21 MB PDF)
• Planning Commission Approval: May 23, 2016

New Commercial Tenants

Whole Foods, AMC, Pacific Catch, Urban Plates restaurant, AT&T, ULTA Beauty, Salon Republic, Xfinity, Rumble Boxing, Yoga Six, City National Bank, Ideal Image, Road Runner

Housing

200 S. Taaffe St. (File #2020-7262)
Jan. 11, 2021, the Planning Commission approved a new 12-story mixed-use building. The proposed building includes ground-floor retail and restaurant space and 479 dwelling units. The project includes seating, plantings, and other improvements around Redwood Square.

The project is currently under construction. Tentative schedule:

• June 2022 through June 2024 - West building structure construction
• July 2022 through October 2024 - East building structure construction
• June 2023 through May 2024 - Street improvements
• October 2024 - Project completion

Office Space

200 W. Washington Ave. (File #2020-7110)
March 29, 2021, the Planning Commission approved a new seven-story office building with ground-floor retail. The ground floor will have 100,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. It will also have 500,000 square feet of office space.

The project is currently under construction.

Tentative schedule:

• November 2022 through June 2024 - Building 3A structure construction
• December 2022 through June 2024 - Building 3B structure construction
• July 2023 through June 2024 - Street improvements
• July 2024 - Project completion

300 S. Mathilda Ave. (File #2019-7923)
Sept. 27, 2021, the Planning Commission approved a new six-story office building with 12,735 square feet of ground-floor retail. It will also have 153,000 square feet of office space. The project will include three levels of parking (two above-ground and one story underground). The building permit for the project is under review.

100 Altair Way (File #2016-7438)
Oct. 12, 2020, the Planning Commission approved a new seven-story office building. It includes 141,333 square feet of office. Plus, four stories of underground parking and associated site improvements.

The project is currently under construction. Schedule:

• May 2022 through April 2023 - Structure construction
• January through April 2023 - Street improvements
• Fall 2023 - Project completion

111 W. Evelyn Ave. (File #2020-7474)
We are reviewing a proposal for a new 75-foot tall, four-story office building. The project includes 63,390 square feet of office and four levels of underground parking. Included in the project is a Development Agreement. The agreement allows more floor area and a community benefit contribution payment.

• Planning Commission Study Session: June 10, 2019

480 and 490 S. Mathilda Avenues

(File #2021-7280 and #2021-7281)
Aug. 16, 2022, the City Council approved a new four-story office building. The project includes approximately 128,000 square feet of office and two levels of underground parking. The building permit for the project is currently under review.

Sept. 22, 2021 Community Outreach meeting materials:

• Community Outreach Meeting Recording
• Community Outreach Meeting Minutes

Block 20 (File # 2018-7585)
Feb. 14, the City Council approved an amendment to the Downtown Specific Plan (DSP) for Block 20. The approved amendment allows the following:

• Increased density up to 103 dwelling units for the block
• Increased commercial/office floor area up to 36,500 square feet
• Updates to the design guidelines for Block 20
• Identify streetscape improvements for the Mathilda frontage

No other activity has occurred since the City Council's approval.

April 27, 2020, the Planning Commission approved a four-story residential building, which includes 90 affordable units, parking and site landscaping.

The project is under construction. Find project timeline and developer contact at Sunnyvale Block 15.