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Community amenities are an important factor in determining community desirability. Many businesses and residents are attracted to cities that have fostered a strong sense of community. provide convenient and attractive everyday shopping and entertainment opportunities. quality public facilities and services. and a stock of housing that can accommodate residents with a range of incomes who are at various stages in their lives. The City should seek opportunities to provide enhanced community amenities. paying, particular attention to the quality of downtown and neighborhoods as important community assets. and to the marina as an important regional asset. Action 4.3: Enhancing Downtown as a Communin, Focal Point Downtown San Leandro is an important community asset. In addition to functioning as a community shopping center. catering to the everyday shopping needs of local residents. downtown also serves as a community focal point by hosting numerous community gatherings. The City can. and does. support both of these important functions in a number of ways. The City takes and active role in encouraging the utilization of available building space for businesses that will bring desired goods and services to downtown. For example. the Cin has indicated its willingness to provide financial assistance to facilitate the reuse of 144:- 1445 E. 14th Street for community serving retail uses. This building. which is the location of the former Fabric Lane store. occupies a key site in the heart of downtown San Leandro. Reuse of this site in conjunction with the necessary renovations could have a significant positive impact on San Leandro's downtown core. A high quality project would help to improve aesthetics. reinforce the pedestrian core of downtown. and help to attract additional shoppers. Throughout downtown. the City should advocate for the attraction of tenants that would reinforce the vision of Downtown San Leandro as a location for community -serving retail. The types of businesses that would be appropriate could include restaurants. specialty foods. personal and business services. and various types of specialt} retailers not likely to be attracted to the Cin's regional retail shopping centers. In addition. entertainment land uses can provide attractions for residents living through San Leandro and neighboring, communities. while helping to define the downtown's function as a community focal point. The City alread\ supports a number of community focused events in downtown San Leandro. The Downtown Business Association and the Cin sponsor the Miracle on East 14th Street. which is a downtown promotional event during the holiday season. For the first time. in 1995. the Citysponsored a downtown ice-skating rink during the holiday season. and has plans to continue this in 1996. Also. the City hosts an annual Cherry Festival. held most recently at the Cin Library. These events all have the potential to generate significant resident and business participation. which helps to strengthen the local sense of community. These efforts should be continued. and promotions surrounding these events should be reviewed to ensure that they are generating, the maximum potential 59