RDA Reso 2007-015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Economic Development and Public Improvements: Objectives and Programs Economic Development Objective: Improve the economic health of the WSLPA by assisting the private sector to maintain a balanced business base with an appropriate mix of industrial, manufacturing, and large-scale retail in the West San Leandro sub-area, and neighborhood- serving retail, small office, and infill housing in the MacArthur sub-area. The Agency's aim with regard to economic development is to improve the economic health of and encourage private investment in the WSLPA. Specific programs and initiatives undertaken during the years governed by the 2004-2009 Implementation Plan, and implemented in pursuit of this objective, follow. Economic Development Programs: • The Agency continues to work with the owners of private property in the project area to modernize obsolete buildings in order to create new jobs and stimulate further investment in San Leandro. Of note, Agency staff has worked with the owners of property located at 2040 Williams (the former Kellogg's production facilityj, 1717 Doolittle (formerly the Scott Mechanical Building), and 1251 Doolittle (formerly the Prescolite Building) to assist with the redevelopment and re-tenanting of these buildings which total nearly 1.5 million square feet of industrial/office space. • Agency Staff strives to attract new commercial and industrial uses that offer higher paying wages and/or add to the City's financial base. Examples of some of the new commercial and industrial uses in the WSLPA include Triple C Foods, Inc., Cleaire, The Annex, East Bay Produce, Jamba Juice, and Starbuck's. • The Agency continues to fund the San Leandro LINKS, a shuttle service started in 2002 to transport employees between industrial businesses and the San Leandro BART Station. The Agency also directed the process to create and maintain a Business Improvement District to provide a source of funding for LINKS. The LINKS program now serves approximately 200,000 riders each year and LINKS expects to serve its one millionth rider by the end of 2007. ~ In August 2007, the Commercial Rehabilitation Program was resurrected to assist property owners and tenants in making aesthetic improvements to existing commercial buildings. The Program provides access to capital through forgivable loans. • In fall, 2005, the Albertsons/Deans Food complex was purchased by Kaiser Permanente. In summer, 2007, Kaiser entered into an agreement with ICI to develop approximately 30 of the site's 63 acres into a regional shopping center with approximately 375,000 square feet of retail space. Kaiser intends to develop the remaining acreage into a regional hospital and medical office facility. Agency staff is working with both Kaiser and ICI to facilitate the private (re)development of the entire site. Estimated build-out of the entire site is five-to-ten years. Agency staff will also Mid-Term Review Page 11