The City of Richmond is moving forward with the Hilltop Horizon Specific Plan, a long-term vision aimed at transforming the Hilltop area from an aging, auto-oriented retail hub into a mixed-use district.
The specific plan covers 143 acres within the Hilltop Priority Development Area and will establish zoning regulations, urban design standards, and planning policies to guide future development. According to the memo, officials have been working with Prologis, the primary property owner, to refine a draft land plan that balances fiscal feasibility with community needs.
Avery Stark, acting planning manager, said city staff and consulting firm Environmental Science Associates (ESA) have been working diligently with Prologis, which is focused on the potential economic development of the site.
"After we've gained more feedback and understanding of the community, making sure we're headed in the right direction, we will be taking that plan to the Planning Commission for their review and consideration," Stark said. "Following that, we would be going in for City Council approval to proceed with the drafting of the specific plan itself and begin the preparation of the CEQA environmental documentation, with an expected completion in Q2 of 2026."
Janet Galvez, a representative from Prologis, caught some community members off guard at a recent community meeting when she said the company is taking a supporting role while the city leads the specific plan update.
"Prologis has taken the passenger seat, and the city has taken the driver's seat," Galvez said. "So we look forward to reviewing what staff has put together, and hopefully, we can present to the community after that."
Despite delays, officials say they are committed to a community-driven vision for the site. "This project will bring long-term transformation that aligns with Richmond's goals," the memo states. However, some residents remain unconvinced.
Community members, including Hilltop District Neighborhood Council President Bhavin Khatri, were surprised by the Prologis statement.
"The city did say that they have been engaging with Prologis, that the density they're going to adopt is what Prologis would want what we had originally indicated."
Some residents worry the city is pushing for higher density may not align with what Prologis and the community envision for the area.
"We want lower density housing, and we actually, to be honest, we don't want that much housing. We want more retail, more entertainment, less housing," Khatri said.
Arto Rinteela, president of the Fairmede-Hilltop Neighborhood Council, expressed concern the project could ultimately fall apart.
Richmond’s Hilltop revamp: transforming from retail hub to mixed-use destination
The City of Richmond is gearing up for a major transformation, as plans are underway to reimagine Hilltop Mall and surrounding areas. The Hilltop Horizon Specific Plan is set to reshape approximately 143 acres of land, including the mall and its immediate surroundings, into a mixed-use destination. There is a
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"We're deeply concerned about this project being presented to the city council, which is probably not going to be the same as Prologis presented to us," Rinteela said. "We want to remain as optimistic as possible, but we're deeply concerned that it's just going to dissolve and not get passed."
A potential first step toward redevelopment is demolishing the existing mall structures. "We were told that they would like to start demolition in 2026 or 2027," Rinteela said. "The property is worth more once the structures are gone, but Walmart is still sitting there."
Walmart is located on almost 13 acres and has a long-term lease on the building it occupies.
However, the planning process has been delayed due to ongoing discussions with an undisclosed third party regarding a potential economic development opportunity for the former Hilltop Mall site.
Khatri also expressed frustration over the lack of transparency regarding the economic driver.
City staff hints of new ‘economic development opportunity’ at Hilltop
Richmond’s planning staff revealed a group has a new interest in the former Hilltop Mall site during an update of the Hilltop Horizon Specific Plan Thursday evening. Lina Velasco, Richmond’s Community Development Director, said the city was approached with “a potential economic development opportunity” and will pause working
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"The latest memo provides a high-level timeline, but it doesn't explain what the economic opportunity actually entails," Khatri said. "The community deserves to know. You've delayed this project for over a year because of this—what is that economic opportunity?"
A revised land plan is expected to be presented to the Hilltop Horizon Specific Plan Advisory Committee in early 2025, followed by a Planning Commission and City Council review in the second quarter.
The drafting of the specific plan and an environmental analysis under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) will begin later in 2025, with completion targeted for mid-2026. For more information, visit https://hilltophorizon.com
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