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sites. as well as larger areas that could benefit from strategic planning. A major need identified in the Baseline Study was to encourage and facilitate the reuse of obsolete buildings located in the City's industrial areas and in certain retail areas. Key challenges include: • Facilitate redevelopment and/or reuse of existing obsolete or underutilized industrial and commercial buildings • Encourage the private sector to take a significant role in the redevelopment process • Prioritize actions for the range of opportunity sites based on real estate market trends Enhancing the Local Tax Base San Leandro's sales tax revenues are currently very strong. and San Leandro is well positioned to compete for additional regional retail due to its excellent regional location and the drawing power of its existing base of regional retailers. San Leandro is not considered a top tier location for high -end regional retail uses. and demographics are not changing enough to alter this corporate view. San Leandro's real strength is in value - oriented discount retail stores. San Leandro captures approximately 80 percent greater retail expenditures than would normally be expected in a community with similar population and demographic characteristics. Even so. since 1986. total (retail and non -retail) sales tax revenues have declined about 2.4 percent per year. after adjusting for inflation. Some of this decline can be attributed to the emergence of new retail centers in other competing locations outside of San Leandro: however a significant portion of this decline is due to declining taxable sales in non -retail businesses located in the City. Sales have also waned significantly in a number of the City's older neighborhood retail centers. With relatively little growth in population in the residential areas they serve. there is evidence of high vacancy rates and lo« sales in some of these centers. This is not due to residents making fewer expenditures. but due to a shifting of shopping patterns to favor newer discount oriented centers. ley challenges related to these conclusions include: • Continue growth of regional retail activities • Retain existing and attract neti non -retail sales tax -generating businesses • Encourage increases in activities that generate property taxes. transient occupancy taxes. and other general revenues to reduce dependence on sales taxes 9