Fremont Bank Aqua Adventure Water Park: June 2008 Construction

Photobucket Album

Fundraiser for Bob Wasserman at Japra Mahal

India Post News Service

The current Mayor of Fremont, Bob Wasserman runs against former Fremont mayor Gus Morrison and Councilman Steve Cho.

Under Wasserman's leadership, the city, the fourth largest in the Bay area, is now a hub for arts to sports to fine dining to high tech companies.

Many in Fremont are keen to see Wasserman serve again as Mayor and on Sunday, June 8, in a bid to help the re-election of Wasserman as Mayor, Dr Romesh Japra hosted a fundraising dinner at his residence, Japra Mahal. Also present were Vice Mayor Bill Harrison and Council Member Bob Wieckowski, and Council Member, Anu Natarajan, the first Indian to be elected to the City Council.

The Vice-Mayor and council members spoke highly of Wasserman's leadership skills, political acumen, and his dedication to serving the city of Fremont. 'Please come back Mayor', smiled Anu Natarajan. Bob Wasserman remarked it would be an honor to serve Fremont again as Mayor. He spoke glowingly of his team, saying that interaction with his Council members has always been fruitful if there has been criticism; it's been healthy, constructive criticism.

He said Fremont is slowly but surely flourishing, becoming more business friendly, and the home of several high tech companies. Currently, the city of Fremont is working closely with the A's, and the A's now have completed the land transaction and control 226-acres of land in the City of Fremont where the new Cisco Field ballpark and the urban village will be built. In addition, the A's will continue to work with the City staff on the steps necessary to commence the public application process.

10 Fastest-Growing Real Estate Markets

10 Fastest-Growing Real Estate Markets

The housing implosion is nowhere near over. In 75 of the 100 top U.S. cities, prices are expected to fall in the next 12 months according to Fiserv Lending Solutions.

The S&P Case/Shiller Home Price Index, which tracks 20 of the largest housing markets, showed prices plummeting by 12.7% in the 12 months ending February. That's the biggest fall since the index began tracking prices in 2000.

Meanwhile, foreclosure filings more than doubled in the first three months of 2008, spiking 112%. So far this year 156,463 families have lost their homes to repossessions. Many markets won't hit bottom till late 2009 or even 2010.

Pity the residents of Stockton, Calif., whose homes are likely to lose more than half of their 2006 value. But if you happen to live in Texas -- or any of the other cities below -- congratulations: The housing tornado passed you by.

1. McAllen, Texas

12-month forecast: 4%
Median home price: $109,000
One year price change: 2.1%
Five year price change: 23.3%
Change in foreclosure rate: 23%

2. Rochester, N.Y.

12-month forecast: 2.7%
Median home price: $121,000
One year price change: 3.4%
Five year price change: 20.1%
Change in foreclosure rate: 5%

3. Birmingham, Alabama

12-month forecast: 2.7%
Median home price: $156,000
One year price change: 2.9%
Five year price change: 29.4%
Change in foreclosure rate: 20%

4. Syracuse, N.Y.

12-month forecast: 2.6%
Median home price: $126,000
One year price change: 0.8%
Five year price change: 29.5%
Change in foreclosure rate: 27%

5. Buffalo/Niagara Falls, N.Y.

12-month forecast: 2.4%
Median home price: $105,000
One year price change: 1.6%
Five year price change: 24.5%
Change in foreclosure rate: 14%

6. New Orleans, La.

12-month forecast: 2.2%
Median home price: $158,000
One year price change: 1%
Five year price change: 43.7%
Change in foreclosure rate: 49%

7. Scranton, P.A.

12-month forecast: 2.2%
Median home price: $128,000
One year price change: 7.2%
Five year price change: 41.1%
Change in foreclosure rate: 8%

8. Grand Rapids, Mich.

12-month forecast: 1.9%
Median home price: $124,000
One year price change: -3%
Five year price change: 8.3%
Change in foreclosure rate: 37%

9. Baton Rouge, La.

12-month forecast: 1.9%
Median home price: $170,000
One year price change: 5.7%
Five year price change: 38.3%
Change in foreclosure rate: 14%

10. El Paso, Texas

12-month forecast: 1.8%
Median home price: $134,000
One year price change: 6.9%
Five year price change: 51.9%
Change in foreclosure rate: 32%

BART to buy land for Warm Springs rail extension

Bart took a step acquiring seven acres of Fremont land for its rail extension from the Fremont station to a proposed new station in the Warm Springs district of the city.

The board acquire privately owned land at 39410 Civic Center Drive. BART has estimated the market value of the land at around $5.23 million.

______________________________________________________________________

The City of Fremont hasn't heard back from MTC yet for the MTC station area planning grant on Warm Springs Bart Station. If the City of Fremont receives a grant, the planning process will include the City Council, key stakeholders, and local property owners in a process to help define compatible land uses.

More high-tech companies in Fremont

George Avalos of the Contra Costa Times writes that more tech companies will expand in Fremont.

Two high-tech companies and a food and water purifying firm have all signed deals to expand in Fremont or move their operations there. The expansions mean more jobs for Fremont.

"We are well positioned to provide a home for growing computer technology, clean technology and life sciences companies," said Lori Taylor, the city of Fremont economic development manager.

The new deals in Fremont include:

Super Micro Computer Inc. The San Jose-based maker of high-end mother boards and servers rented 246,000 square feet of production and warehouse space. The deal was handled by commercial realty brokers from CB Richard Ellis and Colliers International.

Asus Computer International, which was already in Fremont, leased 153,000 square feet. The maker of computer, consumer electronics and communications products said the new building represents a significant expansion of its operations.

PurFresh Inc. has moved its operations and headquarters from Livermore. The maker of technology to purify food and water rented 30,000 square feet in its new home.

"We needed room to grow," David Cope, president and chief executive officer, said of the PurFresh relocation. "We found that real estate is becoming less expensive in Fremont compared with the Livermore area.''

PurFresh moved about 52 workers to Fremont as part of the move, Cope said. The company moved into a building that allows for plenty of expansion, if that's needed.

"We could probably double our head count," Cope said. "We have a bunch of open space in the building."

Fremont may have an advantage in rental costs over areas besides the Tri-Valley, said Joe Elliott, a Colliers broker.

"Compared to the rest of Silicon Valley, Fremont has more affordable space," Elliott said.

Room for expansion also was a factor for Super Micro, which has been growing rapidly in recent years near its San Jose headquarters, said Michael Kalodrich, a spokesman for the high-tech company.

About 50 people are working at Super Micro's new Fremont complex. But that number should grow.

"It's a huge facility," Kalodrich said. "So that head count could multiply several times over the next year or two."

Asus Computer needed more room as well, but it had to confront an extra complication from the potential construction of a baseball stadium and other projects in Fremont. Asus is currently located near the site of the proposed Oakland Athletics ballpark.

"With the stadium, a lot of things are going to be built," said Cher Chronis, director of marketing communications with Asus. "I understand lease rates have increased exponentially in that area."

Asus was unable to re-negotiate its lease with the company's current landlord.

Plus, the company's business has grown strongly in recent years, said Debby Lee, an Asus spokeswoman.

More expansions could head Fremont's way.

"We are getting a lot of inquiries from a number of companies," the city's Taylor said.

Fremont ranks 38

The men’s magazine Best Life listed the top 100 cities in the U.S. to raise children, and Fremont ranks 38.

Higher ranking cities include Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, San Diego, San Jose area, Sacramento, Plano Tex., and of course Reno, which was ranked 31 under the magazine’s fool-proof methodology.

Fremont did rank higher than Hayward (93), San Francisco, Worcester, Mass., Seattle, Antioch, and (40).

For more on the Best Life rankings, click here.

1 Honolulu, Hawaii Schools spend almost $9,000 per pupil, unemployment ranks less than half the national average, and you can play on the island of O'ahu's 125 beaches
12 Los Angeles, California
23 New York, New York
31 Reno, Nevada
32 Las Vegas, Nevada
38 Fremont, California
40 Berkeley, California
67 San Francisco, California
73 Richmond, California
84 Oakland, California
87 Washington, D.C.
100 Lexington, Kentucky

The Globe

China Village











Supermarket, Gong De Lin Xiao Nan Guo, Tea Store, and restaurant.
Start Construction 1-2 weeks. Complete February, 2009.

Pacifica Village







Cellphone, Pizza, and World Gourmet Buffet.
Start Construction 1-2 weeks. Complete December, 2008.

JK Town









Oceana Seafood Market Restaurant include supermarket restaurant, and among other businesses. Start Construction 1-2 weeks. Complete February, 2009.

Saigon Village
Cyclo Cafe (Should opened anytime)
Pho Appetit (Should opened anytime)
Taste of Vietnam ( Start construction April and opened August)

Fremont Times Square
Here’s what the new Asian-themed shopping center in Warm Springs (formerly Navlet’s Garden Center) will look like:

The Navlet’s Garden Center in Fremont’s Warm Springs District is closing at the end of June. The nursery and an adjacent business that sells rocks for landscaping are scheduled to vacate the site by June 15. The store, which has been near the corner of Mission and Warm Springs Boulevard for 35 years, is being forced out so the property owners can build an Asian-themed grocery store.Navlet’s, which has been in business since 1885 and has four other East Bay locations, is trying to find a new home in Fremont.

Barry Swenson Builder, which is developing Union City’s high rise residential towers near its BART station, has bought the land and is building a 94,000-square-foot Asian-themed shopping center. The anchor tenant will be a Marina Food supermarket, which is known for having a good fish department. The developer is also planning for a spa, medical offices and an acupuncturist, among other businesses. Groundbreaking is scheduled for July, and the supermarket should open in the second half of 2009.

Pacfic Commons
Asian Pearl (Opened June)
Yoswirl (Unknown opening date)
Chez Nous Bakery (Unknown opening date)
Dickey's Barbeque (Unknown opening Date)
Prolific Oven (Unknown opening date)

Smart & Final
Drug Emporium is scheduled to be a new Smart & Final location.

Summerhill Homes project on State Street Walnut Avenue
Summerhill is redesigning their project with their sister organization, The Urban Group, to turn it into rental housing. When they are done it may have to come back to the Planning Commission or Council for any needed amendments.