Comments on: Grafton Plaza Site Tour

By: Around Dublin

Around Dublin — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Hi Anonymous – it’s difficult to know when Grafton Plaza will break ground. The economy will hopefully bounce back in a year or two and when it does retail and office development projects will flourish. With all the dire financial news out there, it’s difficult to see the clearing in the forest. However, Dublin has a fantastic location next to I-580 and I-680, we’ll eventually have a second BART station, and we’re smack dab in the middle of the affluent Tri-Valley area. These factors, in addition to many others, will spark interest for retailers and business leasing office space at the Promenade, Grafton Station, and Grafton Plaza once we have more certainty in the financial markets.

Thx, JZ

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Very nicely done John, great information.

Question: I know this is still in concept stage but is it accurate to say that we won't see any of these buildings if approved until around 2018, 10 years?

The guy that did our site tour group answered a question of when they expect to break ground. He indicated it is not likely for at least 4-5 years and then 2-3 years for construction.

So if the completion of Parcels 2-6 of the Promenade is relying on Grafton Plaza as a stimulus, we'd be looking at 2020 or 2022 for the Promenade to be fully completed as visioned. That is 23 years after it was approved. Sounds like Caltrans here.

I'd be too old to enjoy either one of these projects by that time.

By: John M. Zukoski

John M. Zukoski — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Hi Anonymous #1 - I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. I completely agree in that these utility lines would mar the beautiful design of Grafton Plaza if left standing above-ground.

I haven't heard back from the City of Dublin on the question of whether or not the utility lines to the immediate south of the Dublin Ranch Water Quality Basin will be underground by Charter. However, in looking at the diagram of the Dublin Ranch Water Quality Basin provided by Charter, it looks like Caltrans has an easement to the immediate south. This would imply that they would have responsibility to underground the utility lines should they ever decide to do something with the land.

I'll let you know if I hear anything from the City.

Thx, John Z.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

I agree with the concern of Charter Properties handing over the eventual development of the Plaza to multiple developers. What we end up getting is not necessarily what we approved. Charter is too small to handle such a complex project, they need to bring in a major player/developer that can has the experience and can execute whatever plans the City and Citizens approve.

Any approval must have strict verbiage that will require the project going back to a Citywide vote if there are any changes. For example, increase in height, increase in housing density/number of units, any decrease in the Class A Office density/square footage etc... If done by multiple developers in multiple phases, what happens if the residential portions gets built but the office, hotel, commercial/retail areas never gets built? We end up with a raw deal again.

I like the project as it is presented, just wish we had more Class A Offices instead of more housing. But if the housing component is what makes this project work and become reality, than I'm ok with it.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

I think there is too much residential planned. There should be some retail as well. At this point, the last thing Dublin needs is more apartments/condominiums.