Health Club Looks to Open in Downtown Dublin
New Evolution Fitness Facility recently pitched their plans to the Dublin Planning Commission to open a 33,455 s.f. multi-purpose fitness facility in the Enea Plaza at the heart of Downtown Dublin. Prior to the discussion, Planning Commissioner Morgan King was asked to recuse himself based on previous litigation with Enea Properties.
The fitness facility would occupy the building next to Bank of America and Rigatoni’s that is the home of the Spirit Halloween store each fall (previously occupied by Good Guys). New Evolution Fitness is a privately held firm owned by the founder of 24 Hour Fitness, Mark Mastrov. Their proposed Dublin facility includes a standard workout/free weights area, aerobics training room, 3 speciality workout areas, a kid’s gym, UFC gear store, a juice bar, and offices. New Evolution Fitness recently announced their partnership with the Ultimate Fighting Championship series to launch a UFC-brand of gyms.
While New Evolution Fitness would be a welcomed tenant in Downtown Dublin, the biggest concern with their current proposal is the potential parking and traffic challenges that would be created. New Evolution Fitness would not have enough parking spaces for customers at their proposed site, so many customers would need to park in the Big 5 Sporting Goods and former Tower Records parking lots on the other side of Amador Plaza Road.
While sufficient parking would be available, expert analysis indicates that there would be over 200 additional customers crossing Amador Plaza Road each day (some by crosswalks, many by jaywalking) – creating a health and safety concern. Planning Commission Bill Schaub noted that the traffic created in 1-2 years from the West Dublin BART Station would only heighten the risk posed by having so many customers crossing Amador Plaza Road as drivers access the I-680 on/off-ramps.
New Evolution Fitness will continue to work with the Dublin Planning Department to address the Planning Commission’s parking and pedestrian safety concerns with the goal of having a compromise worked out in time for a July 2009 public hearing.
6:09 AM on May 22nd, 2009
This news is beyond awesome. As an avid UFC fan, I knew about their foray into the gym business, but never thought for a second that DUBLIN would be a possible site. I really hope this works out!
UFC is huge in Dublin, Ireland and held a show there earlier this year. Only fitting that Dublin, CA gets a piece of the action too. It’s a good location, and Big 5 would benefit greatly from it. How cool is this??
10:12 AM on May 22nd, 2009
I’m not a UFC fan, nor would I go to this club (I’m more of a ClubSport family-type of guy.. But not everyone is like me (getting old and tired! -hhaha) and this brand of gym is very exciting for the market it’s looking to capture. I’m sure the weight area will be MUCH more pumped up and energized than the toned-down areas of ClubSport or 24-hour Fitness.. Plus, it’s a great use of that beautiful building (I drove past it a week ago and thought, “Wow, what a waste.. I wonder who will take up that building?”– And then this news— Congrats for getting this going—
12:21 PM on May 22nd, 2009
It seems like every time there is mention of some new commerce, there are concerns about traffic. For example,I find the folks trying to block the Staples Ranch in Pleasanton ridiculous with their traffic concerns…there is nothing there, its a wasteland !
8:14 AM on May 25th, 2009
UFC is bad for our community and children. It encourages violence and is not sport we should be encouraging. I hope more people in our community stand in protest. I realize it may be a money maker, but it will attract more negative influence than positive.
8:21 AM on May 25th, 2009
David, what is this, 1997? Your argument is a tad too late and has already been shot down. If we allow boxing, which is more dangerous, then we should allow MMA.
By the way, MMA has thrived in the mainstream far longer in Japan, with no problems with that country’s youth. We’re talking mainstream network coverage with SuperBowl-like shares. The thing is, kids and teenagers have shown no interest in UFC. Go to the shows and look at the TV demographics. It’s mainly men 25-45, their dates, and that’s it. Almost no kids (ahh, sounds like paradise), no teenagers, and very few folks over 60. It’s a more affluent crowd because of the sky high prices.
10:39 AM on May 25th, 2009
From what I understand UFC GYM is about skill, education, and functional fitness. Activities such as Women’s Self Defense, Kids Mixed Martial Arts, and while getting people Fit. If you could learn how to defend yourself and get in the best shape of your life, what is the downside?
10:31 AM on May 26th, 2009
I am sure this Gym is no different from any other Gym. Just the name UFC and what it stands for may turn off a few. It is just a name though as it is not like they will be staging fights at the location. It is a gym just like any other gym with a affiliation with UFC and maybe a few twists to the programs they provide. Parking though, wow that will be a problem as if you’ve been to any Gym in the area, parking will be a problem at this site. An REI for example would had less need for parking as people are in and out, Gym goers will be there for at least an hour at a time as right after work at the same time each day.
10:40 AM on May 26th, 2009
A better location for this facility for be the Stoneridge Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealership. I may be ahead of myself but I don’t see that dealer surviving in such an obscured location.
Off topic, does anyone know if the GM and Chrysler Dealerships in Dublin made the cut or not? Are they part of the dealership cut backs by GM or Chrysler or did they survive this round of downsizinig?
10:54 AM on June 1st, 2009
This is a tough location for the gym. I’m glad to see that something might go where Good Guys used to be. That spot has been vacant way too long. I believe that there is a solution to the parking issue. I’m glad to see that the Planning department is willing to work with New Evolution Fitness to find an appropriate solution.
4:22 PM on June 11th, 2009
Just read on Claycord (http://claycord.blogspot.com/) that the UFC Gym is opening in Concord. Does this mean it's not opening in Dublin, or is it looking to open multiple East Bay locations?
4:59 PM on June 11th, 2009
Hi Anonymous on June 11, 2009 4:22 PM – I’m not certain if they plan to open multiple East Bay locations. However, the word is that New Evolution Fitness may be withdrawing their application to open a UFC gym in Dublin. Nothing is final at this point…but we should know for sure after the next Dublin Planning Commission meeting.
Thx, John Z.
5:00 PM on June 11th, 2009
UFC sent out a worldwide press release saying Concord would be its first gym, and others will follow. It's all over the MMA websites right now. To think, that could've been Dublin's name. Oh well.
8:42 AM on December 10th, 2009
I’m curious as to the developments of this? As I would LOVE to see a UFC Gym here in Dublin, I don’t think the proposed spot is ideal, only because of parking. I doubt they are looking to build a new building, and would rather use a pre-existing site. The old Toyota location on Dublin Ct. would be a great spot, if they were looking to build out. Plenty of room for a big building and parking, close to freeway’s, would not impeded on other tenants and would be in walking distance to the Trailee tenants.
10:47 AM on December 10th, 2009
Hi Ramon – the UFC Gym decided to open up in Concord.
http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=20420
Thx, John Z.