BusDev Highlights 2006 0914 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Specific Development Strategy Recommendations To Consider ^ A couple panelists noted the benefits of private, small or medium sized development company: more patient equity, and a willingness to do longer term projects. - Publicly held companies that need to show quicker revenues may have less of an interest in a longer-term project. Densities of 150 dwelling units per acre are possible without going higher than 6 stories (and can range from 4 to 7 stories) if projects are built over parking with one parking space per bedroom (average of less than ] .5 spaces per unit). Parking ratios drive density; creative use of efficiently configured parcel will allow higher density without too much height. One can achieve l 00 dwelling units per acre at 4 stories over ]level of parking, with 1 parking space per unit. ^ Developers prefer larger sites or consolidate disparate projects into larger ensembles that balance the benefits and detriments of different site conditions, provides more flexibility, and creates a critical mass of new development. - This type of approach can be leveraged to require higher environmental performance (e.g., LEED certified), more affordable housing, etc. This is occurring in downtown Vallejo, and included steps such as eliminating zoning in favor of a form-based code, greatly increased on-street parking through use of angle parking, which can also slow traffic down to 10 mph. ^ In San Leandro, one option would be to combine the BART/Westlake projects with the Downtown South Gateway project (latter might pencil better if it's part of the package). Once sites are entitled, there should be strong developer interest. ^ San Leandro already has a downtown, and thus unlike other cities there is not a need to incubate new retail businesses. There Are Retail Opportunities Downtown, However Challenges to Address ^ The retail environment in San Leandro is a bit of a " 3-headed creature:" Bayfair has improved considerably; Marina Square is very strong; Downtown has been fairly strong and offers the opportunity for mid-size (20,000 to 30,000 square foot) junior anchor tenants, e.g., T.J. Maxx. - Use such tenants to densityy Washington Plaza. Place larger tenants in back with street retail in front. - Safeway wants to expand, and Regency, the center owner, knows how to do more dense development (e.g. El Cerrito Plaza). ^ Town Hall Square is the most important site to catalyze downtown retail and prove the new direction of downtown. Specialty food stores and restaurants could be a successful component of any development; San Leandro has a strong daytime population during meal times. This isn't a Santana Row environment, but many small and strong retailers will come. ^ A lot of retail transition is occurring. Blockbuster Video won't be in San Leandro in 3 years - so think about giving the shopping center owner the option to increase center density to attract more and new types of retail. ^ Focus on a single downtown plaza that is the "heart of downtown" rather than a series of small green open space areas.