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The Plaza Project Area Implementation Plan 2010-2014 Draft 12-22-09 Introduction The Plaza Project Area is the oldest redevelopment project area in San Leandro. As stated in the original Redevelopment Plans for the Plaza 1 and Plaza 2 Redevelopment Project Areas, prior to their merger in 2000, the goal of the Project is to: Eliminate or reduce blight and blighted conditions presently existing in the Project Area. Blight and blighted conditions include the following: • Aging and dilapidated buildings • Underutilized land • Inadequate building/property maintenance • Parcels of irregular form and shape • Parcels of inadequate size • Fragmented parcel ownership • Incompatible uses • Lack of adequate public improvements and facilities • Circulation and access problems In the context of California redevelopment, "blight" is a legally defined concept, referring to physical, economic, and social conditions that impair private investment in the Plaza Project Area (Plaza), causing it to be a burden to the larger community. Efforts to eliminate blight have been ongoing for almost 50 years in the Plaza. The Plaza Redevelopment Project Area (also known as Plaza 1), established in 1960, involved the redevelopment of a deteriorated central business district. Plaza 1 was intended to deal with the deterioration of public and private buildings and a shortage of public parking in downtown San Leandro's shopping area. The Downtown Plaza shopping center, anchored today by Safeway and CVS Pharmacy (with its free public parking lot) was developed under the auspices of Plaza 1 redevelopment efforts. Other projects completed as part of Plaza 1 include the development of the former Noah's/Starbucks/Taco Bell .complex at 1445 East 14th Street (now Verizon and a future restaurant), and the renovation of several structures including the historic Masonic Temple. The Plaza 1 Redevelopment Project was originally due to expire in 1995, but was extended to 2012 by the Agency/Council. The adjoining Plaza 2 Redevelopment Project Area (Plaza 2) was established in 1967. It was amended several times between 1971 and 1988 to add more territory, known as expansion areas or sub-areas, and to update the Plan's content. Notable early projects included construction of office buildings like 1298 East 14th Street, Regional Headquarters of Wells Fargo Bank, and the 101 Callan office complex. Major projects over the past 10 years include the construction of the San Francisco Bay Area CounciUBoy Scouts of America building, the relocation of Costco and the disposition and development of Burger King and Shell gas, the commercial pads adjacent to Costco's newer location, and the construction of three buildings and the parking structure for Creekside Office Plaza. The sub-areas of the Plaza 2 Redevelopment Plan will begin to expire between 2012 and 2029, following an extension approved by the City CounciUAgency Board in 2003. Upon expiration of the project areas, redevelopment activities/programs need to cease; however the Agency can continue collecting tax increment for the repayment of its pre-existing debt.