Residents invited to submit shop local videos

Residents invited to submit shop local videos:

"Shopping in Fremont is important to us," Mayor Bob Wasserman said. "There isn't as much as we'd like now, and there isn't as much as we'd like to see. But the more people shop here, the more people who build businesses will know people shop here. And then more people will build here."

Fremont Police Department Officer Matt Snelson appeared in a video where a father was hesitant about giving his daughter shopping money. Snelson informs the pair that she can shop in Fremont, as 1 percent of the sales tax goes toward funding public safety.

The father then happily hands over shopping money, as long as his daughter shops in Fremont.

A second video features Fremont Firefighter Brian Guernsey confronting a young woman as she leaves a department store checkout counter.

Dressed in full firefighting gear, he loudly thanks her for shopping in Fremont, and won't let her leave until she hears how her purchase has helped public safety.

The final video features the father from the first video, fastening pillows to his car to "prepare for potholes" as he leaves for a shopping expedition. His wife questions his motives, and explains the sales tax is going to public safety.

Fremont maintenance engineer Derick Fisher then explains 1 percent of the tax helps public safety.

"Shopping in Fremont is important to us," Mayor Bob Wasserman said. "There isn't as much as we'd like now, and there isn't as much as we'd like to see. But the more people shop here, the more people who build businesses will know people shop here. And then more people will build here."

Tsui said the videos can be seen on the city's Web site at www.fremont.gov/Business/ShopFremont/default.htm.

They will also be shown on local channels 26, 27 and 29, and are posted on the popular Internet site YouTube.

Another component of the campaign is that locally-owned coffee shops, juice bars and bagel/doughnut shops will give Shop Fremont cup holders with coffee purchases.

As for residents making videos, the contest began Wednesday, and will end on Friday, July 13.

Winning entries will be posted on the city's Web site at Shop Fremont.biz, along with the three city videos. Winning entries will also be broadcast on channels 26, 27 and 29.

Contest Rules

Redevelopment agency

Redevelopment agency is awarded $200,000 grant:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it has awarded a $200,000 grant to the Fremont Redevelopment Agency for soil remediation at the former Union Pacific Railroad yard in the Niles District. The city's redevelopment agency is scheduled to begin removal of contaminated soil at the site in late summer, in preparation for construction of the Niles Town Plaza.
The Fremont project was one of 17 selected to receive a Brownfields grant from EPA Region IX, which covers California, Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii.

Redevelopment budget is $85 million:

Redevelopment budget is $85 million

by Wes Bowers

Article Launched: 05/25/2007 11:47:56 AM PDT

Fremont Redevelopment Agency received a first report on the agency's budget at a May 22 meeting.

Convening as the Redevelopment Agency, Fremont City Council learned it will have $74.5 million in the 2007/2008 fiscal year for non-housing projects, and $10 million for below-market rate housing projects.

The redevelopment agency's budget is incorporated as a component of the city's budget. A second public hearing on the budget will be held June 5.

Elisa Tierney, Fremont Redevelopment Agency director, said some of the highlighted projects in the budget include Irvington District's Bay Street Streetscape.

The project, slated to cost about $5.3 million, is anticipating an additional $810,000 in appropriations, according to Tierney.

She added the project's first phase is scheduled to start this summer.

Tierney also highlighted the Greenbelt Gateway project along Grimmer Boulevard.

Estimated at $200,000, the project aims to make the streetscape along Grimmer more attractive.

Another highlight Tierney touched on was exploring commercial enhancement options in the Centerville area.

"This includes options for the Center Theater," Tierney said. "But we'll come back on June 26 with more detailed plans for the theater."

Other commercial enhancements in Centerville include streetscape improvements and pedestrian linkage areas.

The last highlight Tierney noted was the Niles Canyon Railway pedestrian bridge.

Currently, the project description on staff reports states redevelopment and engineering staff will assess the best options to locate and then design a pedestrian bridge. It is estimated to cost $350,000.

Resident Ed Pentalari said the agency should make the Greenbelt Gateway project a priority.

"It's an important thing for us to begin looking at," he said. "It's one of the main gateways into Irvington. As I drive into it, I always think what other people must be thinking when they drive into Irvington."