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JDEDZ PROJECT REVIEW <br /> SEPTEMBER 2017 <br /> INTRODUCTION <br /> Civic Economics was retained by Pleasanton Citizens for Responsible Growth to provide an <br /> outside review of various aspects of the proposed Johnson Drive Economic Development Zone. <br /> Our work involved a review of existing documents prepared by or for the City of Pleasanton <br /> analyzing the likely economic activity and impact associated with the JDEDZ. Our work focused <br /> on the inclusion of a Costco store because (a) it is the primary driver of sales in the project, (b) <br /> its sales is the source of revenues to repay a portion of the infrastructure investment, and (c) its <br /> presence is the reason for most of that infrastructure need. <br /> The JDEDZ is made up of several parcels of land along Johnson Drive, near the junction of <br /> Interstates 590 and 680. Vehicle access to the site is currently sized for its former uses, <br /> including an R&D facility for Clorox, but the key feature of the proposed development is a <br /> Costco warehouse store of 148,000 square feet located well into the site. Thus, the JDEDZ <br /> calls for infrastructure improvements needed make the site suitable for large format retail, <br /> costing an estimated $21.5 million. <br /> The city has proposed to fund these improvements through a mixed package including the <br /> following: <br /> • Existing TIF funds of$6.4 million would enhance onramps at Stoneridge Drive and 1680. <br /> According to the city's Capital Improvement Program budget for 2017/18, these funds <br /> will only be expended if the rest of the JDEDZ project comes together. Otherwise, it will <br /> be redirected to other projects the city has deemed necessary. <br /> • Costco is said to be contributing $6.8 million in cash. Some of that is in the form of <br /> donated right of way on Costco land to facilitate access to Costco. Another $3.7 million <br /> of that is the amount Costco would be required to contribute to the TIF pool independent <br /> of the JDEDZ project. <br /> • Finally, another$6.8 million is proposed as a loan from Costco to the city, to be repaid <br /> over up to 25 years by rebating 40% of the sales tax revenue from the store until the <br /> principal and interest (at 1.5% per year) is repaid. Additional amounts may be added to <br /> this loan at no interest for right of way acquisition. <br /> Costco operates in the warehouse club sector of general merchandise retailing. It has 506-and- <br /> counting US locations and more than 200 international locations. The chain has a heavy <br /> presence in California, with 122 stores including Danville (8.4 miles from the JDEDZ site) and <br /> Livermore (7.3 miles). <br /> Civic Economics 1 <br />