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<br />6.3B <br />Paae 11 <br />Attachmen"f 2 <br /> <br />c. Improved pedestrian and vehicular linkages in, to, and around <br />downtown resulting from the Hoover Mobility Study, the pedestrian <br />improvements for Winslow and Middlefield, and the Pedestrian Safety <br />Assessment. <br />d. Provided support to the preparation of the Draft Housing Element <br />related to affordability requirements in the Downtown, and continued <br />study of possible inclusionary housing policies in conjunction with the <br />Housing and Human Concerns Committee (HHCC). <br />e. Further investigation of ways to improve the connection between the <br />Downtown Area and the Bayfront as part of the new General Plan <br />Update process. <br />f. The recognition of "art" as an economic development tool for <br />Downtown, including the Art Walks and the Phantom Gallery program <br />for vacant storefronts. <br />g. Continued ongoing discussion with potential investors and developers <br />for projects in the Downtown once the DPP is approved. <br /> <br />5. Business Expansion, Retention and Attraction. <br />a. Continued efforts to fill the four vendor spaces in Courthouse Square <br />pavilions by completing lease agreements for three new tenants. <br />b. A retail vacancy analysis was prepared and is continually updated and <br />monitored. Staff continues to work with landlords and potential tenants <br />to facilitate leasing of vacant spaces. <br />c. Modified the downtown retail zoning requirements in designated areas <br />of the downtown to allow office uses on the ground floor in an effort to <br />facilitate leasing of vacancies. <br />d. 38 new businesses were opened in the downtown area. Of these, <br />eight were new restaurants, ten were retail establishments, fourteen <br />were service related, and six were technology related startups. This <br />reflects a significant change in the mix of new businesses to the <br />downtown over the past few years. <br /> <br />6. Train Station Area Planning <br />The City's station area planning efforts for FY 2009/10 have been on hold <br />pending implementation of the collaborative process for HSRlCaltrain <br />E lectrifi cation. <br /> <br />7. Code Enforcement <br />Code enforcement efforts related to signage, trash receptacles and <br />compliance with sidewalk cafe permits continued. In addition to helping <br />maintain the attractiveness of downtown, these efforts have proven to be an <br />effective way to communicate with downtown businesses, property owners <br />and residents. Code enforcement efforts have also been intensified in the <br />neighborhoods adjacent to downtown. <br /> <br />7 <br />