10A Action 2012 0702 - Laserfiche WebLink

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File Number: 12 -338 • Planned development of the Crossings including development of workforce /affordable housing and OSlsoft's office expansion. The City has also been providing on -going support to the Downtown as follows: • Part -time Senior Project Specialist to support Downtown Association including marketing and event planning, oversight of the Farmers' Market contract • Twice annual steam cleaning of sidewalks and on -going trash enclosure maintenance • Enhanced maintenance through Stepping Stones and a half -time City Department of Public Works Maintenance Worker • Enhanced security, support of Police bicycle officer • Holiday lighting • Sausage & Suds sponsorship • In -kind Police and Public Works donations for events • Downtown Marketing • Commercial fagade improvement program The loss of Redevelopment funding has impacted the City's ability to provide the above support. Funding for the part -time Senior Project Specialist and half -time Public Works Maintenance Worker has been discontinued and funding for holiday lighting has been reduced. $61,000 is included in the FY 2012 -13 budget to continue the remaining services while the City explores the creation of a PBID or CBD to provide a reliable and on -going funding source. The new revenue is intended to provide enhanced security, maintenance and marketing of Downtown San Leandro and replace funding previously provided by the San Leandro Redevelopment Agency. It will ultimately, however, be up to the property owners and the governing board of the established business district to determine how funding is used. Analysis Based on the Community Development Committee's direction on April 12, 2012, the City issued a Request for Proposals for a consultant to assist in the establishment of a PBID or CBD in Downtown San Leandro. The City received four proposals from qualified firms by the May 11, 2012 deadline. Civitas, NBS, and New City America were invited to interview with City staff, a representative from the Downtown Association, a Downtown property owner and the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce. All three firms had the experience and technical expertise to assist the City in the creation of a PBID or CBD. Two of the firms' approaches appeared to be more comprehensive and creative in terms of determining the type of funding mechanism and the appropriate size of the district. The two firms' approaches included initial evaluation of a PBID versus the CBD as well as a recommendation to evaluate the inclusion of additional properties along East 14th Street and other surrounding areas in the district thereby potentially expanding the area that could receive benefit. One of the two firms, New City America, also had impressive experience establishing and managing dynamic business districts, such as Little Italy in San Diego. New City America has marketing expertise to complement the vision of how a Downtown San Leandro business City of San Leandro Page 2 Printed on 612612012