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5. REINVESTING IN SAN LEANDRO The Citv of San Leandro is for the most part "built out" (i.e.. there is not a lot of vacant or open land available for development. especially industrial or commercial development). As a result. if the City is to continue to evolve to meet the changing demands of the marketplace. it must find creative ways to use the buildings and land resources that are available to support economic development. The actions contained in this strategy area address the EDAC vision elements of A Sustainable Community and A Diversified Economy because they focus on the need to recycle existing corn mercial and industrial properties that are no longer functional in order to adapt the San Leandro real estate market to changing economic forces that may demand new or different types of buildings. Programs recommended in this chapter target a wide range of properties such as old shopping centers that can no longer compete with the large-scale freeway oriented shopping centers that have been built in San Leandro over the past five years. Also included are actions to address the reuse of older industrial buildings that were designed to accommodate large single users. but are now "white elephants" in a market place that is more oriented to small to mid -sized companies, or older mid -sized buildings that do not meet current needs for ample dock -high loading doors and high interior ceiling heights. Reinvestment in these assets will provide new opportunities for economic growth in San Leandro and will ensure that the City does not stagnate. The actions presented below have been subdivided into three categories: Strategic Planning, Development Incentives, and Development Opportunities. Strategic Planning Strategic Planning involves the use of tools to signal to property owners. developers, financial institutions. and the general public about the City's Ion; -range plans to redevelop general areas, rather than specific properties. where there may be a concentration of vacant and/or underutilized parcels. This process, which typically involves developing some type of land use plan and/or creating a redevelopment project area. provides a clear road map as to what types of local land use entitlements are available for the property, and how these entitlements must be obtained. A good land use plan can be a catalyst for ne" development, especially if the key stakeholders are involved in the planning process. Action 2.1: Create an Industrial District Redevelopment Project Area San Leandro is largely built out. and therefore must recycle land and buildings in order to make space available for new economic activities. Other communities that are competitive with San Leandro have greater supplies of vacant land that will pose fewer barriers to development. Because of this. San Leandro must provide tools that property owners and 39 24