BusHsgDev Highlights 2007 1108 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2. Presentation by Main Street Property Services, Inc. on Downtown San Leandro Design Guidelines and Principles City Manager Jermams shared that Assistant to the City Manager will introduce the individuals from Main Street Property Services, Inc. (MSPS) who will make a presentation on one element of the City's plans to improve the City's downtown. Assistant to the City Manager Battenberg reported that MSPS was retained in February 2007 to assist the City in developing a retail strategy for the downtown that complements the TOD Strategy and planned streetscape and lighting improvements in the downtown. The goal of the project is to identify the uniqueness of the City's downtown and attract new merchandise retailers and restaurants to serve the changing demographics of San Leandro and to encourage storefront and signage improvements. She further explained that MSPS was retained for two projects: 1) Development of a 2007 Retail Strategy Implementation Plan; and 2) Development of Downtown Design Guidelines and Principles. The first element of the 2007 Retail Strategy was to develop a logo and branding. The proposed logo/brand is included as part of the Downtown Design Guidelines and Principles (Guidelines). The Retail Strategy Implementation Plan is scheduled for presentation to the Committee in January 2008. The Guidelines were developed to assist property and business owners in improving the look of their storefronts. The Redevelopment Agency has matching loan funds available through the Commercial Fagade Program to assist businesses in implementing improvements. The Guidelines are a "can -do" document, and are not regulatory in nature. Manager Battenberg then introduced Caryn Wegerbauer from MSPS and Sudish Mohindroo from SZFM Studios. Caryn Wegerbauer reviewed MSPS's expertise in development of downtown shopping districts. Sudish Mohindroo provided highlights of the San Leandro Downtown Design Guidelines and Principles in a PowerPoint presentation. The Guidelines include development ideas which help create central gathering spaces and pedestrian friendly shopping experiences. Elements such as entrances, rooflines, facades, awnings, color and landscaping are addressed in the Guidelines as well as well as information about signage and ideas for unique and attractive signs. The Committee discussed how the Commercial Facade Program will complement the Guidelines. Staff explained that the fagade improvement program is available for projects that go above and beyond standard improvements and signage and make a significant contribution to improving the appearance of downtown. Additionally, the Committee questioned if the principles can be applied to other commercial districts. Staff responded that the principles are applicable and in fact, it would be redundant to create specific guidelines for each area. Manager Battenberg shared that the Guidelines will be presented to the Downtown Business Association at their January 2008 meeting. Bound color copies of the report have been distributed to Councilmembers and CDs will be available to the public at no cost. Bound color copies will be available for cost. The report will also be posted on line at http://www.ci.san-leandro.ca.us/slbusdev.htmi by the end of the month. N