BusHsgDev Highlights 2010 0114 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Committee asked if it costs more to bring a new business in San Leandro due to higher rents. Director Sims replied that rent is higher in the City because it is easier to locate and start-up a business in San Leandro's industrial areas than our immediate neighbors. The City's industrial areas are sought out by businesses due to its transit rich location and lower rents in comparison to Silicon Valley, Berkeley and Emeryville. 3. Update of Development Projects Manager Battenberg provided the Committee with the Downtown San Leandro Quarterly Update, Fourth Quarter 2009 which includes information on the following: • A Downtown Symposium is being planned for Tuesday, March 30, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. to bring together people and organizations interested in Downtown San Leandro. • The Vine Restaurant, Wine and Tapas, is under construction next door to the Englander at the Scribner Shopping Center. It is expected to open late February. • Yogafina will be coming soon to the northwest corner of the Sergio's Pizzeria building. Yogafina is a locally owned business with five locations in the area. Lease negotiations continue with Pyzano's of Castro Valley. If negotiations are successful, it would operate out of the existing Sergio's Pizza and include new outdoor dining at the south side of the building. Manager Battenberg announced that Nike Clearance Store will be opening at Marina Square in the former Shoe Pavilion space. Additionally, Ridge Foundry, a blighted property at 1554 Doolittle Drive, plans to participate in the City's facade improvement program. Landscaping will be added to the property frontage, painting of the building will be explored, and the unsightly large metal drums on the property will be removed. In response to a question from the Committee, Manager Battenberg explained that initially the temporary parking lot at the former Albertsons site will be open to the public for parking. When the Estudillo/Callan parking garage is demolished, the northern portion of the site, approximately 140 spaces, will be dedicated to permit parking only. During the construction of the parking structure the cost of parking permits will be reduced from $55.00 per month to $30.00 per month. The southern portion of the parking lot will be available for public parking. 4. Public Comments: None 5. Committee Member Comments Councilmember Reed read a letter from Amanda Hillary regarding the former Albertsons site on East 14th Street. The letter recommended that the site be developed as a central park. On another matter Councilmember Reed expressed citizens concerns to her about homeless persons in commercial areas. She asked what can be done to inform businesses not to condone or encourage homeless persons from living at commercial properties. There was one instance where a homeless person lived in the Lucky's parking lot for seven years because employees gave him food. Homeless persons can be perceived as an annoyance and hurt sales and services at retail properties. She is aware of at least five homeless persons in the City that push there belongings on shopping carts. Director Sims explained that Davis Street Family Resource Center tries to assist the homeless persons that come to them for help.