San Ramon

Mayor H. Abram Wilson Addressed The East Bay Real Estate Community!

The Realtors Marketing Association welcomed Mayor Wilson to a packed house as he updated the membership on the issues of San Ramon.

Mayor Wilson has been the mayor of San Ramon for almost six years, and a member of the San Ramon City Council for nine years.  His leadership and direction of the future of San Ramon was recognized this year with the recognition of being named the 2008 “Citizen of the Year” by the East Bay Leadership Foundation.  At the weekly RMA meeting today he updated the audience on the quality of life issues facing the city of San Ramon and the Tri-Valley region.  Here is an outline of some of his remarks as written by Jim Walberg.

1. The Tri-Valley Realtors are the banner carriers of this community because they have their ear to ground as to what is happening on a daily basis within their communities. They are the “Yes We Can” community resource centers for the consumers.
2. Regarding budget issues; “Romance without the finances doesn’t make it!” He updated us that the San Ramon budget for up coming fiscal year was passed last Tuesday for $93.8 million. He also let us know that San Ramon has set aside a reserve fund of over 50% of the budget for any fiscal issues that show in the future. Most cities have a 5% to 10% reserve, but San Ramon’s fiscal responsibility to the citizens for to make sure when “rainy days” show up there are reserves to cover any deficits.
3. The two critical issues for San Ramon are: Safety and quality of education. San Ramon now has their own city police force instead of contracting those services with the County Sheriff’s office. Regarding the quality of education in our Valley, it is one of the best in the country. We are all so blessed to be a part of a community that has such high standards in all aspects of community life.
4. The San Ramon City Center Plan: WOW! Mayor Wilson dazzled the audience with the plans for the City Center; Theater Arts Center; 5-star hotel; shops; restaurants and cafes; living lofts, and much more. It will be a 2.1 million square feet of mixed use commercial and residential living. His opinion, and from what he showed us today, it will rival Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills as a place to spend time in an elegant atmosphere. He even let us know that the fountain area will become an outdoor ice rink during the winter months as one now finds at the Rockefeller Center in New York City. ( I did ask him how one gets on the waiting list for one of the live-in lofts.)
5. The future management of the build-out of the City Center was discussed because Mayor Wilson is running for the State Legislature. Mayor Wilson assured us that Sunset Development and Alex Mehran – the developers of Bishop Ranch, are the developers of this project. Mr. Mehran will be investing more than $800 million into this project so be assured the project will completed with Mr. Mehran at the helm.
6. Tassajara Valley sphere of influence area from Finley Road to the Alameda County Line; San Ramon is positioning itself to be the city influencing this section of a very sensitive development area in our region. Mayor Abram’s vision for this area is to have it focus on vineyards, country inns/restaurants, and spas – similar to what has unfolded in the Napa Valley/Livermore Valleys.
7. Future development behind Home Depot; It was very interesting to learn that there are 830 homes planned for this northeast corner of San Ramon by 2011. It is being developed by Art Lorenzini. That was all the information Mayor Wilson had on this project.

We are all so blessed to live in a region that has such a high quality of life, world class education for our kids, and safe communities in which to live – plus, having community leaders like Mayor Wilson.

San Ramon

East Bay Real Estate Finally Gets San Ramon City Center!

After 20+ years of planning and speed bumps, the long awaited San Ramon City Center project has begun!

The new San Ramon City Center Project is now launched! You can tell by the challenging traffic that is being created on Bollinger Canyon Road with the reconfiguration of the lanes between Alcosta and the 680 freeway. The project will feature a new City Hall and Library, world class retail and entertainment centers, along with residential loft living and commercial office spaces. And, it is expected to be completed by 2010! Sunset Development will be the partner with San Ramon in the build out of this world class city center.

City Manager Herb Moniz said, “The City Center has been a dream for more than 20 years and dates back to San Ramon’s incorporation in 1983. The Mayor and City Counsil are very excited about the prospects of creating a City Center that meets our economic development goals, and provides a gather place for all of the residents of the San Ramon Valley.”

The new Plaza District at the San Ramon City Center celebrates the sophisticated urban life of the Bay Area’s contemporary lifestyle. The Plaza District is intended to be the shopping and dining destination of the East Bay. It is to framed with distinctive retail stores, outdoor cafes, and restaurants presenting inventive cuisine and GREAT wines – for thirst is a dangerous thing. There is also planned a 5-star hotel, and a six screen arts cinema. The breakfast club, lunchtime crowds, and patrons of the wine, and the after theatre diners will all find the perfect table in the Plaza District! ( I have also heard on “the street” that there is even going to be an outdoor ice skating rink as part of the Plaza District.)

The City Hall will be located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Bollinger Canyon Road and Camino Ramon. There will be a dramatic fountain as part of the design which will create a welcoming and inviting environment for the community. The very large landscaped open space will create the space to enjoy public events, and outdoor and literary events associated with the Library. They have even designed a transit center as part of the entire project in order to create public access from all over the East Bay.

There have two very key people that have been the vision keepers of this project over the last several years – Mayor Abrams, and Alex Mehran – President of Sunset Development. My editorial comment is that these two visionaries have pulled this project through a variety of minefields over the past years and have finally delivered a City Center plan that will be the envy of the Bay Area. One of the immediate tangible impacts on San Ramon and the surrounding communities will be an increase in property values, especially the homes that are closest to the new center of the San Ramon Valley. This is a win/win project for the East Bay, and one that I have been waiting years for. As always, there may be some that have a different opinion and I welcome any of your comments. Until next time…your East Bay real estate detective is on duty!