Huge new amphitheater, homes to transform Southern California city’s downtown — but locals are furious

Thousand Oaks may be one step closer to getting something residents have debated for generations: a real downtown.

City officials are pushing a sweeping blueprint to bulldoze sections of the city’s quiet Civic Arts Plaza and replace it with a bustling, pedestrian-friendly downtown district.

The grand vision includes a 142-room, seven-story boutique hotel, mixed-use apartment complexes rising up to seven stories tall, a walkable area with retail and restaurants, a revamped City Hall, and a brand new outdoor amphitheater.

Plans redesigning the 5.33 acres also call for affordable housing, a public park plaza, children’s play areas, and a splash pad.

To make way for the urban style “Main Street,” developers also want permission to axe 53 mature local trees — including the city’s highly protected, signature oak trees.

The city’s planning commission recently green lit a key zoning change in a 4-1 vote, paving the way for the City Council to make a final decision later this month. If passed, construction would kick off in 2027, permanently transforming the suburban landscape by 2032.

But everyone is excited about it.

The proposal has sparked a spirited debate during public discussions and online, with some residents praising the idea of creating a lively city center while others don’t think the project fits the Thousand Oaks’ suburban character.

On Instagram, a viral post breaking down the project sparked a massive wave of outrage from residents. “We do NOT want a ‘downtown.’ We like our SMALL town. We will continue to fight this,” one person commented.

“Seven story tall buildings?!!! Are they insane?! Heck NO,” wrote another disgruntled resident.

“If people living in and around Thousand Oaks wanted a downtown they would have moved to downtown LA. They moved to Thousand Oaks for a reason,” a furious commentator wrote. The sentiment was widely echoed.

Concerns related to traffic and safety were also a major flashpoint.

Proponents called it a “forward looking investment” that would “strengthen the local economy,” and Deputy City Manager of Thousand Oaks Akbar Alikhan likened it to “creating the community living room.”

The fate of the new downtown now rests with the Thousand Oaks City Council, which will meet June 23.

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