Marina Highlights 2007 0410 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Mr. John J. Jermanis City of San Leandro May 31,2000 Page 8 SEDWAV GROUP Real Estate and Urban Economics percent by estimations of both managers). Meanwhile, the dinner crowd is mostly local residents, though Horatio's draws from a larger geographic area that includes Fremont, Castro Valley and Oakland. There are limited other choices for local residents, including downtown San Leandro (Strizzi's, Tsuru Sushi, Emil Villa's, the Englander Pub and Restaurant) and the area surrounding Bay Fair Mall (Red Robin, Chevy's, Fresh Choice, Carrow's). While several full-service restaurants are located along Hegenberger Road, including Francesco's, Carrow's, and Hungry Hunter, previous research by Sedway Group indicates this corridor has perceived safety concerns. In fact, several hotels along Hegenberger Road have a habit of directing guests to either the Marina or Jack London Square for this reason, as well as due to the greater selection of restaurants. Thus, the Marina's restaurants also potentially draw from the hotels located along Hegenberger Road. Presently, the Marina functions as a dining destination, albeit somewhat limited as there are only two restaurants (plus the coffee shop at the golf course). While there is presently little crossover business from the golf course, this may change once the renovated Tony Lema Course opens and attracts golfers from other parts of the Bay Area. An additional quality restaurant would enhance the Marina as a dining destination, likely attracting more local daytime and resident business, as well as referral business from the Hegenberger Road hotels. Sedway Group believes the Marina is well suited for one or two additional quality full-service dining establishments due to its waterfront nature and bay views, which are relatively unique in the immediate area (outside of Jack London Square). Retail Retail space has been mentioned as a possible addition to the Marina area, specifically "boutique" or "specialty" retail. This type of space is very different from convenience retail, which is typically defined as grocery or drug store-anchored centers that are readily accessible from residential neighborhoods. Goods offered at specialty retail centers are comparison shopping goods or specialty goods, in which more effort is expended on the part of the consumer to locate, consider and purchase. The City of San Leandro has four key retail concentrations that serve different distinctive niches: Bayfair Mall, a traditional regional shopping center; Marina Square, an outlet center; Westgate Mall, a power center; and downtown San Leandro. Marina Square and Westgate Mall are more "value" oriented and are relatively successful centers. Bayfair. Mall and downtown San Leandro are less successful; the City is a strong stakeholder in improving the performance of both of these shopping areas, in particular downtown.6 As Bayfair Mall and, to a limited extent, downtown San Leandro offer comparison shopping and/or specialty goods, additional retailing opportunities in this category in the City are limited. A specialty retail center at the Marina would likely face numerous challenges: · The center would need a strong anchor to draw residents and visitors, especially given the Marina's location distant from the freeway at the far end of a residential neighborhood. Such an anchor does not presently exist as the boat harbor, adjacent recreation-oriented facilities, and limited existing businesses are an insufficient draw. · Despite the potential addition of hotels, restaurants, and/or offices at the Marina, there would not be a critical mass of people to sustain a specialty retail center. Likely, such a center would require a subsidized anchor; it is possible that the entire center would require some level of City subsidy. 6 The City's Economic Development Strategy and Work Plan (June 1997) states that regional retail should be clustered at the City's existing regional retail sites and that dO\\1ltown should be maintained and strengthened as a community retail center through ongoing revitalization efforts.