RDA Reso 2007-015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Economic Development Objective: Improve the economic health of the JPA by assisting the private sector to maintain a balanced business base with an appropriate mix of retail, manufacturing, warehouse/wholesale, and services with a range of employment opportunities; and support new housing, particularly workforce housing, in appropriate locations to incxease demand for products and services available in the project area. The Agency's aim with regard to economic development is to improve the economic health and encourage private investment in the JPA. 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 Projects and Programs: • As part of the Agency's continued work to improve public transit use and the pedestrian environment, the Downtown San Leandro Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Strategy, which is a comprehensive plan for the Smart Growth of downtown San Leandro and the northern portion of the JPA, was adopted by the City Council in August 2007. The TOD Strategy supports higher density housing and mixed-use development. A certified EIR provides for the development of 3,431 residential units, 718,000 sq ft of office space, and 121,000 sq ft of retail space. Implementation of the TOD Strategy will result in a vibrant, pedestrian friendly downtown that provides a wide variety of services and access to excellent regional public transit. • As part of the continued implementation of the East 14th Street South Area Plan, Palma Plaza, a neighborhood shopping center destroyed by multiple fires in 2000 and 2001, was updated in 2004 into a vibrant, two-building commercial complex. The Agency provided design assistance and the completed project is consistent with the JPA's design strategy. Also consistent with the East 14th Street South Area Plan, the former Islander Motel was purchased with Agency set-aside funds in September 2005. The property is being redeveloped as a 68-unit affordable housing project and has been renamed Casa Verde. • The Agency will continue to assist with land assembly of strategic real estate assets as necessary to forward the goals of the community and the Redevelopment Plan, and assist its buyers in completing successful redevelopment projects. Properties include 1595 Washington Avenue and the adjacent City-owned parcel at 268 Parrott Street, where Agency staff is currently working with developers to encourage appropriate development. Following a Request for Proposal process, the Agency entered in to an exclusive negotiation contract with the John Benjamin Company, and the Agency will consolidate City and Agency owned parcels in order to create greater development potential. • The Agency continues to work on the final phase of the Marina Boulevard Auto Mall. New dealerships include McKevitt Volvo, which opened in the spring of 2004, and Suzuki and Mitsubishi dealerships, which are scheduled to open in early 2008. • 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. Mid-Term Review Page 7