Welcome to the first City of Fremont eBiz Newsletter! We hope you enjoy this new update on Fremont businesses, resources and events. Here you will find information on what's happening with retail in Fremont, Redevelopment Project Area updates, and information on Fremont's technology and biotech sectors. You will also find helpful information and links to a variety of resources available to help your business grow.

The upcoming State of the City Address will be presented to the business community at the Fremont Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Friday, April 4 at 12:00 noon at the Fremont Marriott Hotel. For tickets and information, please contact the Chamber of Commerce at 510-795-2244.

On Monday, April 7, at 6:00 p.m. the State of the City Address will be presented to the Fremont community at City Hall in the City Council Chambers, located at 3300 Capitol Avenue.

On February 11, the City Council gave approval for the City to partner with a developer and develop the Capitol Avenue/ Downtown Retail Project. This new retail area is envisioned to be a thriving lifestyle center, complete with a pedestrian friendly Main Street. For more information on the City's plans, check out the City's web site by clicking here.

A new web site, www.focusonfremont.com will be launched in March and will provide property and demographic information on available sites for businesses. The web site uses Internet-based GIS technology for business attraction and site selection, and will serve as a resource tool for retail brokers, current business owners, and prospective retail tenants. Also, this resource will provide searchable databases of available property, dynamic mapping, and site-specific demographic and business reports. Check it out!

In the 1980's, traditional malls selling luxury high-end goods were hot. In the 1990's, there was a shift to power centers with value-oriented retailers that attracted shoppers. Now, in 2000 and beyond, lifestyle centers offering value retail with unique shopping experiences are what's happening. This partly accounts for the re-positioning of The Hub shopping center and its recruitment of national value-oriented retailers that will satisfy the public's need for value and Fremont's need for more apparel and specialty stores. Watch for a newly expanded Trader Joe's, a state-of-the art Michael's, and some new stores like Marshall's, House of Breads, Murasaki Futons and even more.

The East Bay retail outlook is looking up according to a recent article in the East Bay Business Times and the area remains an attractive draw for retailers. This was also the message in the first annual City of Fremont Retail Brokers' Presentation to local Bay Area brokers. Held on January 29, 2003, the presentation highlighted retail opportunities throughout Fremont including the vision for Capitol Avenue/Downtown; significant public investment by the Redevelopment Agency in several of Fremont's historic business districts such as Niles, Centerville, and Irvington that offer unique specialty retailing opportunities; and future retail centers near the corner of Stevenson and Interstate 880 and at Pacific Commons located at Interstate 880 and Auto Mall Parkway.

"Cafe reborn is still a pearl" reports Dennis Rockstroh, a columnist for the San Jose Mercury News. We couldn't agree more.  Pearl's is still a pearl, new owners and all. Located in the heart of the historic Irvington Business District at 4096 Bay Street, this restaurant delights our palate with its wonderfully fresh and tasty eclectic menus. Within walking distance from Pearl's Cafe are more treasure troves waiting to be discovered. Craving farm fresh produce? Stop by and experience the Irvington Farmer's Market held on Bay Street on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. year-round.

The City of Fremont Redevelopment Agency, housed in the Office of Neighborhoods, is dedicated to the revitalization of the historic commercial centers of Centerville, Irvington, and Niles, and to affordable housing initiatives throughout Fremont. The Mayor and City Council members serve as the Redevelopment Agency Board.  The Office of Neighborhoods staff provides site selection, permit guidance, and demographic information to prospective or existing businesses within the Redevelopment Project Areas. To contact the office, please call 510-494-4500 or send an email to neighborhoods@ci.fremont.ca.us

The Redevelopment Agency Board, at a meeting on February 11, 2003, directed staff to pursue a new mixed-use development of this six-acre site. The Agency has acquired two of three parcels in this unified site, relocated tenants and conducted environmental work to prepare the site for development. The Agency had been pursuing a high quality grocery anchored retail project on this site until the recent Agency Board action.

Centerville has favorable demographic information (including average household incomes in excess of $91,000 and a 34% college graduation rate within a three mile radius) and attractive traffic volumes (38,000 vehicles per day). The mixed-use development concept could include residential and retail uses, including a public market or small grocery store concept. It is also envisioned a new "Main Street" will be included to connect Dale Hardware to Fremont Boulevard, and provide an interesting gathering spot for Centerville residents and visitors alike. The Agency will issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to the development community in March 2003, and expects to select a preferred developer in late summer.

For more information on this project, please contact Centerville Redevelopment Project Manager Jennifer Andersen at janderson@ci.fremont.ca.us or 510-494-4648. For information on recently completed redevelopment projects including the Alice Miller Building renovation and Bill Ball Plaza, click here.

A draft Irvington Concept Plan will be considered for adoption by the City Council in spring of this year. The draft Concept Plan envisions a pedestrian-oriented retail experience along Bay Street and Main Street that connects a future Irvington BART Station to the unique Five Corners intersection. The Plan also calls for higher density development around the future BART station, and mixed-use infill development along Fremont Boulevard, Grimmer Boulevard, Main Street and Bay Street. Staff is recommending an aggressive approach to rezoning properties in Irvington to allow for and encourage the higher density development contemplated in the Concept Plan. The Plan is scheduled for City Council consideration in March 2003.

For more information, please contact Irvington Redevelopment Project Manager Jake Lavin at jlavin@ci.fremont.ca.us or 510-494-4428. For an update on the Washington Boulevard grade separation project, click here.

The Office of Neighborhoods is working with the Office of Economic Development, Niles Main Street Association, Niles property owners and Main Street Retail Services, a Lafayette, CA-based retail/brokerage/consulting firm, to create and implement a Niles District Retail Marketing and Business Recruitment Strategy. This strategy includes:

a) The development of a Niles District retail position, a targeted marketing plan to the retail brokerage community, and a list of prospective retailers, artisans/crafters and restaurants;
(b) A series of "best practices" workshops for property owners to obtain information and background on leasing techniques and marketing; and
(c) The creation of brand/logo with an associated marketing strategy to promote the district. A six-month recruitment and communications campaign began in January 2003.

For more information, please contact Niles Redevelopment Project Manager Andrea Wong at ajwong@ci.fremont.ca.us or 510-494-4427. For information on the Niles parking study and an update on the former UP property Study Area Master Plan, click here.

- During this year, the City of Fremont will develop written information and offer workshops and seminars to help your business grow. Topics may include such items as "marketing your business" and "how to develop a business plan." Be on the lookout for these helpful resources!

- Interested in reducing your waste and energy bills? The Alameda County StopWa$te Partnership provides a free solid waste and energy assessment to businesses with 50 or more employees. Pre-screening is required. Contact the Recycling Hotline at 1-877-STOPWASTE or visit http://www.stopwaste.org/partnership/ to learn more.

Scios, Inc., maker of Natrecor heart medicine, is being bought by Johnson & Johnson (J&J) for $2.4 billion. Scios will keep its name and management team and is moving to Fremont to set up shop. Employees are likely to begin moving this summer into their new digs in Fremont's high-tech Ardenwood Business District.

- Ohlone Community College is making good strides with its biotechnology certification and training program. The program should help Fremont's 35 biotech companies cultivate future entry-level lab employees - something which is currently a challenge for these companies. 

- The City of Fremont, Ohlone College and local biotech companies will host a Biotech Information Fair on Wednesday, April 30 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Ohlone College. This event is intended to increase community awareness of the importance of biotechnology, encourage interest in biotech careers, and raise awareness of Ohlone's Biotechnology Certificate Program. For more information contact Dr. Ron Quinta, Ohlone College, at rquinta@ohlone.cc.ca.us at 510-659-6024.

- Joint Venture Silicon Valley recently released its 2003 Index which shows biotech is still a bright spot with the Bay Area leading the nation. Visit http://www.jointventure.org/ for more information. 

- Venture capital (VC) funding in the Bay Area for the third quarter of 2002 appears to be dropping to 1996/97 levels. However, two of the biggest VC deals in the East Bay landed in Fremont. Congratulations to Panasas, Inc. and Inkra Networks Corporation for receiving over $30 million in VC funding each!