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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 />P14-0852 and PUD -105, JDEDZ - Public Comments Provided for October 11, 2017 Planning Commission Meeting 39 <br />