Laserfiche WebLink
CITY OF SAN LEANDRO <br />MEMORANDUM <br />Date: March 29, 2012 <br />To: City Council Community Development Committee <br />From: Chris Zapata, City Manager <br />Via: Luke Sims, Community Development Director <br />By: Cynthia Battenberg, Business Development Manager <br />Subject: DISCUSSION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES — <br />CONTINUATION OF THE COMMERCIAL FAQADE IMPROVEMENT AND <br />INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS PROGRAMS, ESTABLISHMENT OF A <br />BROADBAND CONNECTION PROGRAM <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />For the past several years, the San Leandro Redevelopment Agency funded two incentive <br />programs to encourage private investment: a Commercial Fagade Improvement Program and an <br />Industrial Competitiveness Program. Both incentive programs provided a framework for staff to <br />work with small, medium and large businesses to make improvements and upgrades to their <br />building or operations. Although redevelopment funding is no longer available, the draft FY <br />2012 -13 budget for economic development includes $180,000 for business assistance programs. <br />Staff recommends continuation of these programs as well as the creation of a new Broadband <br />Connection Program to assist businesses in connecting to the internet. <br />BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS <br />Staff is currently in discussion with six businesses regarding the two former incentive programs <br />and requests direction from the Community Development Committee regarding future funding of <br />these established incentive programs. <br />A brief description of the programs follow. Program flyers are attached for your information. <br />The Commercial FaVade Improvement Program provides two types of assistance: Design <br />assistance and matching forgivable loans for small and large projects. The programs serve to <br />stimulate investment and improve the exterior appearance of businesses in order to make <br />commercial districts more attractive. <br />The Design Assistance Program offers architectural and technical assistance to property owners <br />and tenants of business located in targeted revitalization areas. The program pays for preliminary <br />architectural drawings by a licensed firm. This amount, usually $3,000 - $5,000, includes <br />conceptual design drawings, color and material studies and cost estimates for the project. <br />The Awning, Sign and Paint Program provides forgivable loans of up to $10,000 in matching <br />funds and the Commercial Rehabilitation Program provides forgivable loans of up to $50,000 in <br />matching funds for costs to improve the appearance of a business. <br />