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1. INTRODUC'TION Background This document is the final product of the San Leandro Economic Development Baseline Study and Strategy project. Initiated in 1994. this effort provides the Cite with both an in- depth analysis of the City's economic base. including an understanding of sales tax trends. real estate market conditions, and basic demographics: and a work program for helping San Leandro strengthen its economv in response to changing market conditions, strengthening the tax base so that the City can continue to support high quality public services, and encouraging reuse of underutilized property to ensure new opportunities for future growth and development. The impetus for this project came out of an understanding that as California and the Bav Area began to recover from the deep recession of the early 1990's. that there would be some structural shifts in the economy. As a result, cities would need to be well -positioned to ensure that they could continue to capture jobs in growing economic sectors while, to the extent possible, holding on to their traditional emplovers. San Leandro has shown considerable foresight in undertaking this comprehensive and strategic look at its own economy, and stands to reap the benefits of this vision well into the next century. Project Objectives The overall Economic Development Baseline Study and Strategy project had three priman objectives. First, was to conduct a baseline assessment of San Leandro's economy to determine its composition, how the economy has changed over time, what local characteristics have influenced these changes, and how various components of the retail sector are performing. In addition, the Baseline Study also looked at real estate market conditions. and evaluated the viability of various opportunity sites for future development. This objective was addressed in the Economic Development Baseline Studv completed in August. 1995. The second obiective was to determine the implications of the findings from the Baseline Study for future economic development efforts in San Leandro. The third objective was to develop a short- to mid-term economic development work plan for the Cit-,to implement in response to identified economic development issues and opportunities. This Economic Development Strategy and Work Program meets the final two objectives b� establishing the Cite of San Leandro's basic economic development objectives and priorities. and then providing a strategy framework and work program for the City of San Leandro to implement in response to those objectives and priorities. The latter is critical to organizing the Cit- 's economic development activities so that decisions and actions are focused on achieving the City's long-term goals. rather than occurring piecemeal without a strong understanding of how the pieces fit together. 2��