More jobs will reduce crime

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed is creating jobs by pushing green industry like solar technology. He said to step up and fight against gang. In San Jose jobs rate from 4.1 percent to 5.1 last year.

Please support Oakland A's Ballpark Village. It will create more new jobs in the City of Fremont.

How to reduce crime and more jobs in Fremont?
* Water Park
* New Shopping Center/work at a store
* Security Guards
* Recreation
* Green Industry
* Have a jobs careers in the City of Fremont

Most gang members do bad things because they don't have a jobs. We need Green Industry in the City of Fremont to create more jobs.

Click here to watch video.

Fremont Water Park: September 2007 Construction

Photobucket Album

No grocery store for Centerville marketplace

Development of the Centerville Unified site has hit another roadblock. Blake Hunt Ventures announced at a Feb. 19 Redevelopment Agency Board meeting that an anchor grocery store could not be attracted for the project.

The Fremont City Council, convening as the Redevelopment Agency Board, then gave the Danville-based firm the opportunity to redesign its plan for the site, with the condition that a special study session be held to discuss what the city wants as part of the project.

Plans to develop the vacant parcel of land on Fremont Boulevard have been in the works for nearly eight years, and in that time there have been three different projects presented by two developers.

Last October, Blake Hunt Ventures presented two plans for the site, one of which included a 57,000-square-foot mixed-use retail and residential project that included a 20,000-square-foot grocery store and a 16,000-square-foot secondary anchor store, possibly a drug store.

Another 21,000 square feet of various retail and restaurant space was also proposed, along with as many as 48 residential units in six buildings on the south end of the property between Fremont Boulevard and Post Street, and 245 parking spaces for retail.

The firm's second proposal included a 99,200-square-foot retail-only project that included a 45,000-square-foot grocery store and a 16,000-square-foot drug store or secondary anchor store and an additional 38,200 square feet of additional retail and restaurants.

There would have been 427 parking spaces.

The site is bounded by Fremont Boulevard, Bonde Way, Post Street and Thornton Avenue.

Brad Blake, the firm's chief executive officer, told the redevelopment board Tuesday night he had contacted more than 30 grocery stores of all brands and sizes, but only two showed any interest in taking up shop in north Fremont.

Blake added that "interest" merely meant the stores wanted to see the site plans and then discuss options.

"What most (of the stores) said was that their existing stores in the area were doing pretty good business," Blake said. "They didn't see the value of opening new stores and taking away customers from their existing ones."

Blake said the two stores that did show interest were 55,000 square feet and 75,000 square feet in size, and both wanted to front Thornton Avenue with five parking spaces for every 1,000 square feet.

"Basically they wanted to have their store and then just a parking lot," Blake said. "We didn't feel that was consistent with what the city wanted."

Blake's new plan for the site has a retail focus, with 85,000 linear feet of commercial space fronting Fremont Boulevard. There would be a town green space in the central area of development with the rear of the site along Post Street held in abeyance for possible residential units in the future.

He said the anchor store may now be a drug store.

Redevelopment Agency Director Elisa Tierney said of the six development teams that bid on the site last summer, Blake Hunt was the only firm to work with retail space. She added that the Centerville Business Community Association was opposed to the notion of adding residential to the rear of the project.

Many Centerville residents were also opposed to more residential units in the area.

Mark Dinh said when the CBCA was presented with Blake Hunt's new plans for the site, the only positive comment the group had was on the town green. He added that the parcel in the rear of the project is not suited for residential units.

"Sandwiching residential with retail does not and will not prove well for Fremont," Dinh said.

Other residents said a grocery store could be viable at the site, despite Blake explanation's for not attracting one.

"The site could handle some sort of store," David Tong said. "The business people and the neighbors all thought a store could do well. Centerville could really support developing the rear area too, and keep it all retail."

Some board members, however, said a grocery store would not be supported without additional residential units.

"A grocery store does not comply with the project," board member Anu Natarajan said. "We do hear the community's need for a store and we have plenty of sites around Fremont for that. We want to develop a pedestrian main street, and a store wouldn't work here."

Board member Bill Harrsion said residents need to take into consideration that the more than 30 stores Blake Hunt Ventures contacted simply don't want to put a franchise on that particular site.

"I understand people's concerns for wanting a grocery store, but we're not in a position to tell stores where to site," he said. "Mr. Blake has a good idea. He needs to work with staff and the community, and this project needs to be commercial."

The city will hold a special work session within a month to gather input from the community and city council on what should be built on the site.

"Who's Shopping in Fremont Today?"

Taking a different approach to the annual Retail Development Opportunities presentation, Fremont's Economic Development Department described for some 50 business owners last week what types of people are shopping in Fremont.

The presentation, entitled "Who's Shopping in Fremont Today?", is the sixth annual retail presentation to be held in the council chambers of Fremont City Hall.

Economic Development Director Daren Fields typically gives the presentation. But this year three different city staffers gave the overview, based largely on results of the 2006 American Community Survey, performed by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Angela Tsui, Fremont's economic development coordinator, presented demographics of the city's population. Of the city's 211,000 residents, she said 105,000 are women, and 101,000 are between the ages of 25 and 54.

Tsui said the median age for Fremont residents is older than 36 years. Additionally, she said there are 68,000 households in the city, with an average size of 3.1 residents per home. Average household income is $122,000.

Of those 68,000 homes, she said 32,000 of them have at least one child younger than 18 years old.

Breaking down ethnicity in the city, Tsui said 48 percent of Fremont residents are Asian, while 32 percent are white. Also, 14 percent are Hispanic, and 4 percent are African American.

As for education, 28 percent of residents have a high school diploma or less, while 27 percent has a bachelor's degree. Another 21 percent has a graduate or professional degree, 17 percent has had some college, while 7 percent of residents has an associate's degree, according to Tsui.

When it comes to employment, 82 percent of residents work in the private sector, 11 percent in the public sector, and 7 percent are unemployed.

During the day, Tsui said there are approximately 198,000 people in the city, including stay-at-home parents, residents who work from home, and residents from other cities who work in Fremont.

She added that equals about $2.7 billion in estimated retail potential each year.

Lori Taylor, the city's economic development manager, introduced the concept of psychographics a means that describes consumers on the basis of psychological characteristics.

According to Taylor, there are five major psychographic groups in Fremont.

Young digerati: This group makes up 28 percent of Fremont's population. Their age range is 25 to 44, and they are tech-savvy singles and couples, described as a blend of "digital" and "literati."

They shop at places like Banana Republic and Neiman Marcus, read the New York Times and drive BMWs.

Money and brains: This group makes up 22 percent of the population.

They are 45 to 64 years old, and are married couples with few children. They shop at places like Bloomingdale's and Costco; they drive Acuras, Infinitis or Lexuses; and listen to National Public Radio.

Bohemian mix: This group makes up 10 percent of the population.

Their age is 55 years of age and younger. They go to nightclubs and microbrew establishments for fun. They eat out a lot, and shop at places like Macy's.

Movers and shakers: This group makes up 8 percent of the population. Their age is 35 to 54 years of age with no children.

They drive luxury cars, read Fortune magazine, and eat at places like California Pizza Kitchen.

Blue blood estates: This group makes up 7 percent of the population. They drive Mercedes-Benzes, shop at Neiman Marcus, and are considered to lead the nation's second wealthiest lifestyle.

Taylor said the remaining 25 percent of the psychographic population is a mix of other smaller groups. Given these statistics, she added the majority of Fremont shoppers buy high quality, stylish and fashionable goods.

However, Taylor said residents, as well as the economic development department, would like to see more stores that offer men's apparel or sporting goods. More "quick dining" and take out establishments would be very successful here as well, she said.

Since 2004, City of Fremont has added 1.2 million square feet of retail, mostly along Auto Mall Parkway, according to retail development manager Leigh Boyd.

Currently, the successful shopping areas in the city include the Fremont Hub Shopping Center on Mowry Avenue, Pacific Commons on Auto Mall Parkway and the Shops at Washington West, along Paseo Padre Parkway.

Boyd said these shopping centers have brought in many retail stores that are in high demand in the city.

"(Pacific Commons) has done a wonderful job in shoring up apparel stores," she said. "It's a criteria that's been underserved in Fremont. It's established a very solid foundation for Fremont."

Boyd said the city plans to add more business to Pacific Commons, including a 14,000-square-foot Asian Pearl restaurant as well as the city's second Applebee's, a Dickey's barbecue, and the third Prolific Oven franchise.

Boyd said Fremont Hub also has done a good job in bringing more apparel stores to the city, including Ross and Marshall's Department Store.

Conversely, the Shops at Washington West brought more eateries to the city.

"The center really had a focus on food, not just for residents, but for city employees and daytime workers in the downtown area," she said.

The city is planning a total of 1.2 million square feet of additional retail in the future, including the proposed Oakland Athletics' baseball village project, according to Boyd.

Other projects in the works include the 4,000-square-foot Bayside Marketplace near Interstate 880 and Durham Road; a project at 5339 Mowry Avenue, the site of the former Jericho's Steakhouse; and Plaza Los Olivos, which broke ground last summer.

Boyd said the city is still interested in adding establishment stores like Nordstrom, Apple, Any Mountain and Cheesecake Factory.

"Not a day goes by where we don't get a call from someone asking ÔWhere's Whole Foods?'" she said. "We are trying; the message to us is that Fremont needs a specialty grocery store."

"These are all part of the retail we're ready for. We have the foundation, we have the profile, and we have the resources and shoppers," Boyd added.

February 7, 2008 Presentation Part 2

Slide 22: What We Buy




Slide 23: What Do We Need?



Slide 24: Think Projects

Slide 25: Where Fremont Shops Today
Pacific Commons
The Fremont Hub
Washington West Retail

Slide 26: Pacific Commons
DSW, Carter's, Baby Hugs, Justice just for girl, Bassett Furniture Direct, Starbucks Cofee, Ashley Furniture Home Store, Old Navy, Kohl's, Office Depot, Premier Pizza, Carino's, Staples, Costco, Lines n Things, Circuit City, Claim Jumper, Quiznos Sub, Party America Tapioca Express, Gamestop, Lowe's, Mancini's Sleepworld, In-N-Out Burger, P.F Chang's China Bistro, Wingstop, Washington Mutral, Radio Shack, Half Price Books, Cold Stone Creamery, 3 Day Blinds, Rubios, Panera Bread, Ritz Camera, and Ohana Hawaiian BBQ.

Slide 27: Coming Soon to Pacific Commons
Asian Pearl, Applebee's Dickey's Barbecue Pit, and The Prolific Oven bakery & Cofeehouse.

Slide 28: The Fremont Hub

Slide 29: Shops at Washington West

Slide 30: Future Retail Projects
In Planning

Slide 31: Oakland A's Barkpark Village

Slide 32: King & Lyons
Bayside Marketplace

Slide 33
* Capitol Avenue Downtown
* Centerville Marketplace
* Ohlone College

Slide 34:Future Retail Projects
Under Construction

Slide 35: Stevenson Row

Slide 36: 5339 Mowry Avenue
Former Jerico's Steakhouse
Starbucks Cofee

Slide 37: Plaza Los Olivos

Slide 38: Ready for the Next Level
Whole Foods, Nordstrom, Apple, Any Mountain, California Pizza Kitchen, and Cheesecake Factory.

Slide 39: Think Opportunity

Retail Presentation February 7, 2008 Part1

Slide 1
Who's Shopping in Fremont Today?
City of Fremont Retail Development Opportunities
February 7, 2008

Slide 2
Think Fremont
* Demographics

Think Market
* Psychographics
* Where Fremont Shops Today

Think Projects
* Future Retail Projects
* Retails development Opportunities

Slide 3: Fremont Retail Trade Area

Fremont
Primary Trade Area
Population: 211,000

Newark/Union City/Milpitas
Secondary Trade Areas
Population: 183,000

Total Population: 394,000

Slide 4: Think People

Slide 5: Fremont Demographics
Population: 211,000

Slide 6
Median Age: 36.2 years
Ages 25-54: 101,000

Slide 7: Households
Number of Households 68,000

Average Household Size 3.1

Average Household Income $122,000

Average Home Sale Price in 2007 $819,600

Slide 8: Ethnicity
White 32%
Asian 48%
Hispanic 14%
Black/ African American 4%
Other 2%

Slide 9: Education
Graduate or Professional Degree 21%
Associate Degree 7%
Some College 17%
Bachelor Degree 27%
High School Diploma or Less 28%

Slide 10: Employment
* Leading Industries of Employment
- High Tech
- Biotech
- Professional Services
- Manufacturing

* Type of Employer
- 82% Private Sector
- 11% Public Sector
- 7% Self-employed

Slide 11: Daytime Population
198,000

Slide 12: $pening Power
U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics X House
Consumer Expenditure Surveys
= Estimated Annual Retail Spend Potential $2.7 billion

Slide 13: Think Market

Slide 14: Fremont Psychographics 101
* What are they?
* How are they gathered?
* What do they mean?

Slide 15: Fremont Psychographics
Other Categories 25%
Young Digerati 28%
Money & Brains 22%
Bohemian Mix 10%
Movers & Shakers 8%
Blue Blood Estates 7%

Slide 16: Young Digerati
18,448 Households
28% Population

* Tech-savvy singles and couples
* Affluent, highly educated, and ethnically mixed
* "Urban Uptown" social group
* "Young Achievers" lifestyle group

Slide 17: Money & Brains
14,871 Households
22% Population

* High incomes and advanced degrees
* Sophisticated tastes to match their credentials
* Married couples with few children
* Live in fashionable homes
* " Urban Uptown" social group
* " Affluent Empty Nests" lifestage group

Slide 18: Bohemian Mix
6,581 House Holds
10 % Population

* Young, mobile urbanite
* Represent the nation's most liberal lifestyles
* Progressive mix of young singles and couples, students, and, professionals
* "Urban Uptown" social group
* Young Achievers" lifestyle group

Slide 19: Movers & Shakers
5,310 Households
8% Population

* Wealthy suburban world of dual income couples
* Typically between the ages of 35-54 without children
* Rank # 1 for owning a small business and having a home office
* "Elite Suburbs" social group
* "Midlife Success" lifestyle group

Slide 20: Blue Blood Estates
4,513 Households
7% Population

* Family portrait of suburban wealth: a place of million dollar homes, high-end cars, and exclusively private clubs
* Nation's second wealthiest lifestyle
* Characterized by married couples with children and college degrees
* "Elite Suburbs" social group
* "Accumulated Wealth" lifestyle group

Slide 21: Shopping Profile
How do we shop based on Psychographics?

Developer unable to bring Centerville supermarket + Q&A

The latest effort to secure a supermarket for Fremont's Centerville district failed.

Blake Hunt Ventures, the firm picked by the city to develop a 6.6-acre lot near the Centerville train station, couldn't find a grocer willing to anchor a planned retail hub.

Grocers turned down the site, bounded by Fremont Boulevard, Post Street, Bonde Way and Thornton Avenue, because it didn't provide enough new housing developments, according to a city report.

With a grocery store out of the mix, the City Council, acting as the Redevelopment Agency, will consider Tuesday whether to find a new developer or continue working with Blake Hunt on a retooled development.

The firm has proposed either building housing on one-third of the site, or leaving one-third undeveloped for future use either as a parking lot or a different development.

The proposed supermarket would be replaced by a drugstore or a bank as principal tenant.

Council members voted 3-2 last October to enter into exclusive negotiations with Blake Hunt primarily because it was the only developer proposing an all-retail project.

The Centerville Business and Community Association has strongly opposed building housing on the redevelopment site, according to a city report.

The long-vacant site has a star-crossed past.

More than five years ago, a Ralphs was supposed to anchor a new shopping center, but the supermarket chain ended up pulling out of the Bay Area market.

More recently, developer James Tong couldn't find the money for a mixed housing and retail development or a retail-only development with an emphasis on restaurants.

Blake Hunt co-founder Brad Blake told council members last year that landing a supermarket would be easier with the expansion of Save Mart, owner of Lucky, and the entrance of British grocer Tesco in the Bay Area.

Fremont officials said last month they expect Tesco to open a Fremont location. The company was looking at locations along Mowry Avenue and Stevenson Boulevard, Economic Development Director Daren Fields said.
____________________________________________________________________

TCV: What has changed?

Blake: We are proposing to develop approximately five of the six plus acres at the site. The undeveloped land would be retained by the city and would be developed in some manner in the future. It was decided to reserve it for better economic alternatives.


TCV: What happened to the concept of a small market on the site? Is this change the result of an unrealistic expectation or a shift in market conditions?

Blake: Probably a combination of both. If you look at where grocery stores are located in Fremont and Newark, the demographics and traffic patterns, from a purely analytical perspective, it appears there is a hole to fill. However, when discussing this with possible tenants, the added business from a store in this location does not appear to entice them. Tesco (U.K.) which had initially shown interest in the site appears more interested in existing buildings around the Bay Area.


TCV: The example being used for a major tenant of the complex is a full service pharmacy. Why?

Blake: This type of business uses a different model and a pharmacy is a bit more neighborhood-oriented. A couple of major pharmacies have indicated interest in that site.


TCV: What is envisioned for the remaining buildings?

Blake: One of the buildings might house a bank. That plus the pharmacy will leave about 30,000 plus square feet. We anticipate a 15,000 square feet of food-related/restaurant business with the balance used by various retail and service businesses.


TCV: Is this still considered a pedestrian oriented development?

Blake: Yes. The ultimate pedestrian oriented tenant is the restaurant. Shops need to have storefronts that interact with the sidewalk and pedestrians.


TCV: Is this proposal a major shift from the initial plan?

Blake: I do not consider this a big change in building tenancy and layout. The major changes are:

No grocery store, but we began with the premise that the 15,000 square foot space would possibly be a grocery store but could be something else such as a pharmacy.

Addition of a 'town green' element

Retail orientation toward Fremont Boulevard without a major internal street.


TCV: Are you still optimistic about moving forward with this site?

Blake: Our interest is in retail development. If the council decides they want to vertically integrate this site with residential units, we are probably not interested. In that event, we will withdraw from the project.


TCV: How do you envision the architectural design for the Unified Site?

Blake: Classic and timeless rather than trendy. We are not trying to create more historic buildings, rather a development that compliments the area.