Forty people gathered at a recent meeting to discuss a prominent 5.6-acre parcel in the heart of St. Helena, and every one of them had a different vision for what should happen on the Adams Street site.

Yet one basic theme emerged during the brainstorming session sponsored by the committee in charge of the city’s General Plan Update: locals want the site to be a community gathering place.

The most popular suggestion was a community center, perhaps in the form of a historical/cultural center and center for the arts where local civic groups could hold meetings. A small café could complement the facility.

The St. Helena Historical Society has been a strong proponent of a history center. Skip Lane, the organization’s president, said the society is willing to raise money to help build the facility.

There was also widespread support for an expanded library, as well as an open area that would function as a kind of public plaza and picnic area, and which could host the St. Helena Farmers Market.

Housing, which was the focus of the city’s most recent attempt to develop the property, was relatively low on the list of priorities — at least until the city has clearer population growth projections and a better idea of how much housing is needed.

Other sites, such as a 10-acre parcel on Pope Street and a 17-acre property that will be situated behind the Adams Street levee once the city’s flood control project is built, are considered superior choices for housing.

Speakers at the meeting agreed that workforce or senior housing would be the only types of residential development appropriate for Adams Street. Traditional market-rate housing wasn’t thought to be attractive, although some conceded it might be necessary if the project is to make financial sense for the city.

Other ideas were offered to flesh out the project. One was to sell the Ag-zoned portion of the property to a conservancy such as the Land Trust of Napa County, and use the proceeds to finance the development of the rest of the property, which is zoned Central Business District.

A more basic issue is whether anything should be done with the property at all.

Preserving the property’s unobstructed view of Mount St. Helena and making sure the nearby library’s viewshed is free of development were considered top priorities by many. Some said the site might be viewed best as a “legacy property” to bequeath to future generations with minimal changes to the status quo.

Connecting the Adams Street property with the rest of downtown was another recurring theme. Wider sidewalks, better lighting, bike parking and bus shelters were proposed for Adams Street so the property would be more accessible from downtown.

The extension of Starr Avenue, at least to Adams Street, is likely to be part of any development. Extending Library Lane to Fulton Lane, which is envisioned in the current General Plan, could also ease congestion.

The oft-debated extension of Adams to Silverado Trail was a tougher sell. Some people rejected it outright, while others considered it a luxury that the city may not be able to afford.

Connecting the site to the Napa River was another popular suggestion. Under a lot line adjustment the city is working out with neighboring property owner Dennis Hunter, the city would obtain a strip of land that could be used for a pedestrian/bike path from the end of Adams Street to the Napa River.

Making the river more accessible from downtown, perhaps with an interpretive trail, would enable children to learn about the native flora and fauna, some suggested.

The city’s consultants, who are guiding the General Plan Update, will use the input gathered at the Nov. 10 meeting to prepare three general scenarios for the property, which will be discussed at a follow-up meeting on Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. at the St. Helena Primary School. The consultants will prepare an analysis of each scenario, and discuss whether they would make sense financially.

A plan for Adams Street is scheduled to go to the planning commission and city council early next year.

The community is still invited to provide input on Adams Street, or any other aspect of the General Plan Update, by going to www.sthelena2030.com.