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. . I . - attention on....We wiIl shortly know whether...the school wiIl likely participate, but I think....we need to step up to the plate to make that project go." Mayor Hartnett ~ expressed his support for the Storefront Improvement Program. He said the Retail Anchor Program, Auto MalI and 101 Corridor Plan needed to be discussed as part of the economic development strategies. Mayor Hartnett said the County Museum and Canada Small Business Center are also part of the economic development strategies, and that there had been a consensus reached by the Council during the workshop that the County Museum "could provide an important opportunity for not only the downtown but our city, particuIarIy....as an attraction for the entire Western region of the United States." Councilman Leipzig agreed that Economic Development Strategy needed further study. In response to Councilman Leipzig's questions regarding acquisition of property on Rolison Road, Director Church said negotiations were on-going for one property, and described the funds to be rolled over from the last fiscal year which would be matched with CDBG funds. Councilman Leipzig said he was opposed to that purchase. Councilman Leipzig agreed that the Mezes project was a super, first class project, and with U.C. Berkeley as a tenant it was an enormous opportunity for redeveloping that section of town. He expressed his concerns regarding "the possibility of the School District buying into that project as a partner in a limited fashion." He said this is going to be a great looking building, top quality office space in downtown Redwood City which is in great demand right now. If "that building were built today (the developers) could rent that building out....tomOITOW at $2.00 plus a square foot. For the School District to go in ~ there and buy that....we are missing the opportunity to redevelop that area to the highest and best use. The highest and best use....would be a tenant going in and paying $2.00 plus a square foot....people who wiIl shop downtown and bring some more money downtown." Councilman Leipzig suggested the School District renovate a warehouse at much less than its current $3.5 miIIion budget aIlocated for new offices, and turn their AIlerton offices back into classrooms as before. Councilman Leipzig said he was strongly opposed to the District's proposal at this point. He said he needed more information about the Retail Anchor program, and he had some serious questions about the Auto Mall and 101 Corridor proposals as the City already has an auto mall. Councilman Leipzig said Redwood City lost one auto dealer but gained two, auto dealerships were doing very weIl and the City does not need to subsidize them. He said the owners of the Ampex property are redeveloping on their own and the City needs to encourage that sort of activity. Councilman Leipzig said he was "for (the County Museum) in a big way" and asked the Council to think about giving more than $300,000 to this project. He said it was a super opportunity to draw people downtown to a first class facility, seven days a week. Councilman Leipzig said he was opposed to the funding for the Canada Small Business Center as that funding should come from the Chamber of Commerce and the private sector. Councilwoman La Berge said she felt strongly about several projects "when it comes to ~ upgrading our downtown and the potential for making downtown very, very viable as a business community" which include the Mezes Plaza project and the County History MINUTES JUNE 17, 1996 SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING PAGE 14