RDA Min 1994-02-14 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. J " ' " Di rector Church presented the staff report and provi ded background on the proposed retai l/coßl11ercial project and the residential project. Director Church advised that since the inception of the project the - market has shifted and it appears that there is more interest in the residential proposal; the retail/commercial component could go forward if a tenant could be found. Director Church advised that only by beginning the condemnation process (since the owners of the Canned Food site would not provide necessary data) could the parties discover relocation and goodwill costs which would determine the viability of the residential project. Director Church stated that the Agency Directors were not being asked for authorization to start condemnation proceedings, but for direction to staff and the developer to begin negotiating the DDA, which mayor may not lead to condemnation proceedings. Di rector Church advi sed that condemnat ion proceedi ngs required a 5-2 vote, and advised that the Agency could contribute up to $2,000,000 to enable the residential project to proceed and to ensure that 8 of the 49 units were affordable to low and moderate income persons. Mayor Buchan invited anyone who wished to speak to this issue to please come forward. Joe Steinfeld, 850 Main Street, Redwood City, urged the Agency to contact owners of the site again and ask for data regarding who shops at the Canned Food store from the ißl11ediate area. Mr. Steinfeld stated the land was too valuable for current use. Sharen Shaffner, 424 L inco 1 n, Redwood City, asked the Agency not to move and tear down the Canned Food store which provides areal service to the - coDlllunity, when there were other vacant areas in the City that could be developed for housing and/or affordable housing. Eva Zirker, 451 O'Connor Street, Menlo Park, told the Agency Directors that if the Canned Food store was moved, the res i dents of the proposed affordable housing would have no place to shop. Mrs. Zirker said the Canned Food store was the most reasonable place to shop she had ever found. Don Saye, 2021 Broadway, Redwood City, told the Agency Directors that closing the Canned Food store would have serious negative financial impacts on all the people who currently shop there. Rose Madrid, 232 King Street, Redwood City, brought a package of luncheon meat as a sample of the lower prices at the Canned Food store. Mrs. Madrid said it would be very sad for senior citizens if the Canned Food store was closed. Greg Geersten, Manager of the Canned Food store in Redwood City, spoke on behalf of the customers, employees and owners of the Canned Food store. Mr. Geersten stated the Redwood City store has been in operation at that site since 1973 and it ranked as the third highest in volume of its 88 stores in six states. Mr. Geersten advised that the Canned Food Redevelopment Agency Minutes - February 14, 1994 Page 2 MINUTE BOOK NO.1 Page No. 166