San Leandro Economic
Development Strategy
Presentation to the City of San Leandro Finance Committee May 22nd, 2024
Presentation Agenda • Purpose of the Economic Development (ED) Strategy
• Strategy Process and Findings • Key Findings • Feedback Received • Draft Strategy • Draft Vision • Emerging Themes and Actions • Next Steps & Timeline • Council Feedback – Anything Missing? 2 Why Create an ED Strategy?
• Prioritizes and focuses City’s limited resources
• Action-oriented plan for the City
• Identifies opportunities and challenges
• Highlights community’s unique economic role,
opportunities, and vision
• Strengthens jobs, amenities, businesses, and
revenue for public services
3 How is an ED Strategy Structured and Used?
• Policy document to guide ED activities over next 5 to 10 years ✓SMART Strategies – Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, and TimeBound ✓Performance Measures – gauge success
✓Implementation Plan – prioritizes resources and programs 4 Time Frame Relevant
Subareas of the
City
Lead
Implementer
Staff/Funding
Needs
Supporting
Agencies/
Partners
Economic Development Strategy
Process and Findings
5 Economic Development Strategy Process
6 Input & Analysis
Data analysis
Community Workshop
& Stakeholder
conversations
Finance Committee
Meeting
Drafts
Develop preliminary
findings,
recommendations,
and draft strategies
Feedback
Community Workshop
#2 – March 13
Finance Committee
Meeting – Today
Council Meeting
Finalize
Finalize Strategy
Adoption Hearings
Fall 2023/Winter 2024 Winter/Spring 2024 Spring/Summer 2024 Summer/Fall 2024 Input and Analysis Conclusions
Topics Analyzed
7 Key Industries
Infrastructure
and Industrial
Districts
Land Use and
Real Estate
Development
Workforce
and Education
Retail and
Restaurants
Small
Businesses
and
Entrepreneurship
Input and Analysis Conclusions (cont.)
Analysis Highlights
• Key innovative business opportunities – clean tech, bio tech, food tech • Need for modern industrial flex buildings and upgraded infrastructure • Development challenges - construction costs, permitting, financing • Desire for retailers and shopping centers to be upgraded • Career pathways in locally strong industries = opportunities for residents • Small business and creative industry assistance supports families and quality of life
8 Source: Lightcast, 2023; Strategic Economics, 2023
Input and Analysis Conclusions (cont.)
Feedback from Workshops
9 Workshop #1 - Priorities
• Highest priorities - safety, public spaces,
small businesses
Workshop #2 – Top Strategies
• Expanding workforce partnerships & job access
• Cultivating mixed-use, transit-oriented
development
• City process improvements & facilitating new
development
Input and Analysis Conclusions (cont.)
Finance Committee
• Be specific about goals and objectives
for strategy
• Focus on big opportunities for
transformative development, attracting
innovative industries
• Create opportunities for lower-income
residents
• Attract / retain high skill workers, and
high-quality retail
10 • Creating SMART strategies and actions
• Focusing on key development
opportunities
• Prioritizing growing, innovative industry
opportunities
• Partnerships for workforce development &
small businesses
• Targeted branding and marketing
strategies
Feedback Received How We’re Addressing
Draft Vision and Goals
11 Vision for San Leandro
12 Innovation
East Bay's premier
location for innovationbased industry
Quality
High-quality retail,
transformative
development
Community
Diverse and
welcoming, charming
neighborhoods, vibrant
dining & cultural scene
Equity
Workforce opportunities
& small business support
Character
Strong public image,
known for creativity,
innovation & production
Draft Economic Development Strategy
Key Goals
Accelerate innovation and attract
and retain target industries that
are positioned for growth
Create vibrant and exciting
community gathering places with
quality businesses in retail,
dining, hospitality, and
entertainment
Ensure all residents can access
high-quality job opportunities in
large and growing industries
through workforce development
and education opportunities
Preserve industrial districts and
support small businesses and
entrepreneurship
13 Attract & Retain Target Industries
1. Accelerate Innovation
• Attract innovation-based industries (clean tech, food tech, biomedical) • Explore opportunities for building the Creative Economy • Branding & Marketing Strategy - improve visibility, image & identity 14 2. Preserve Industrial Districts & Address Infrastructure Needs • District-based planning to modernize industrial infrastructure • Partnerships to advocate for power upgrades
Infrastructure / Industrial Districts
Land Use & Development
1. Evaluate Zoning & Support Development Opportunities
• Evaluate & Update Zoning and Review Processes to support strategy goals • Facilitate Transformative Development Projects – Bay Fair, Downtown, Shoreline, Kaiser North
15 2. Attract High-Quality Retail & Support Shopping Districts • Develop Retail Action Strategy for specialty, experiential and family-oriented retail • Assist shopping centers to make aesthetic, tenant and safety upgrades • Support placemaking in downtown & along E 14th St.
• Analyze Hotel market and promote key sites
Retail & Restaurants
Workforce & Education
1. Facilitate Workforce Development & Education Opportunities • Ensure programs are responsive to resident & business needs • Explore higher-education partnerships
• Support childcare services to reduce barriers to employment 16 2. Support Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs
• Expand and formalize technical assistance programs to ensure ongoing support
• Reduce barriers to entry, providing guides for diverse businesses Small Business & Entrepreneurship
Next Steps and Discussion
• June - Public Admin. Draft
• July - City Council Work Session
• September - Council Adoption
17 Next Steps Discussion
• Council feedback on strategies
• Anything missing?