GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Beginning in 1995, the San Leandro Auto Mall was developed on approximately 25 acres of acquired land, requiring the assembly of 16 separate ownership parcels located along six blocks of Marina Blvd. adjacent to the I-880 freeway. Gray & Reynolds, in partnership with the Lloyd Wise Automobile Group and the City of San Leandro Redevelopment Agency, conceived and executed all aspects of the initial phase of the project with four new dealerships and two used car facilities. Mr. Gray was the partner-in-charge. The Auto Mall has been expanded to include ten new dealerships, an Indian Motorcycle dealership, and provides with expansion for three new dealerships. The Redevelopment Agency Contracted with Gray & Reynolds to provide all developer services necessary for the project, including feasibility analysis, property negotiation and acquisition, design overview, governmental land use and planning approvals, financial projections, and construction administration.

PUBLIC ENTITY REFERENCE CONTACTS

Mr. Mike Oliver, City Manager
City of Oakley, (925) 605-7007
(former San Leandro City Manager)

Mr. John Jermanis, City Manager
San Leandro, (510) 577-3390
(former Finance Director, San Leandro)

Ms. Debbie Potter, Redevelopment Manager
City of Alameda, (510) 749-5833
(former San Leandro Redevelopment Administrator)

Mr. Steve Meyers, Principal Attorney
Meyers, Nave, Riback, Silver & Wilson, (510) 351-4300
(former San Leandro City Attorney)

DISCUSSION

A much smaller Auto Mall was originally scheduled for a 36-month completion with the Lloyd Wise Group only, beginning in 1995. Because of its great success, dealerships were expanded to include completion of the intial phase in 60 months, and the Auto Mall continues to expand to this day as more properties are acquired and developed. Gray & Reynolds performed all developer services under the original contract for the Auto Mall project, and still performs many of these same services in an advisory capacity to Lloyd Wise and several additional dealerships.

SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS

Not a single property required acquisition by eminent domain. A mitigated negative declaration, zoning changes, OPA's and DDA's, and extensive community outreach support were successfully obtained.