pages: CityCouncil/2009-12-02.pdf, 10
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CityCouncil | 2009-12-02 | 10 | Mr. Whiskeman responded Catellus is open to cooperating stated many buildings are generating revenues. Commissioner Tam stated Catellus has been in various negotiations in the past including Clif Bar and Target; requested that Mr. Whiskeman elaborate on lessons learned; inquired whether Target terminated a previous letter of intent. Mr. Whiskeman responded that he was not involved with Clif Bar negotiations; stated the site and building could not be delivered in a time frame that worked for Clif Bar; the first time around with Target, the City made a decision to take a collective time out to do the Retail Study; analysis took time. Chair Johnson stated the City is fortunate office buildings were not constructed because they would have been empty; Towne Centre would have been half empty if Catellus had gone forward with the retail; buildings would be empty if the City had been more aggressive. Commissioner deHaan noted that the City of Alameda did everything possible to move the Clif Bar project forward. Mr. Whiskeman stated Catellus underestimated what it would take to deliver the site to Clif Bar. Chair Johnson stated Clif Bar was concerned about being in the area alone; other businesses would not commit to locate at the site. Commissioner Tam stated Catellus has holdings in other Bay Area locations; inquired whether getting a planned development to move forward in Alameda is more difficult than other cities. Mr. Whiskeman responded the 1.1 million square foot project in Fremont was a different experience because the site is not near residential and there was a lot of City and community support. Chair Johnson stated projects get sidetracked, such as the gas station at Towne Centre; the process needs to be streamlined and should not take so long. Mr. Whiskeman noted it costs money when approvals take a long time. Commissioner Tam stated community members are concerned that there should be a way to control the mix or types of stores that go into Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council, Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority and 10 Community Improvement Commission December 2, 2009 | CityCouncil/2009-12-02.pdf |