Archive for January, 2010
by John M. Zukoski on January 21, 2010 | 
13 Comments | Topics: Development
As reported in mid-2009, the Rose Pavilion in Pleasanton, CA, is undergoing another rebirth as they recover from home furnishing store vacancies caused by the housing bust from a few years ago. Some of the recent changes at the Rose Pavilion include Express Fitness’ move to a larger location within the southern half of the plaza and Carpetland’s relocation to a more visible corner within the northern half of the plaza. Two other big developments lie on the horizon for the Rose Pavilion Shopping Center:
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by John M. Zukoski on January 19, 2010 | 56 Comments | Topics: Development
Whole Foods recently dropped Dublin, CA, along with many other cities from its list of stores in development. While the reason for this unexpected shift in strategy has not been shared with the public, the potential loss of Whole Foods as an anchor has clouded the future of The Green on Park Place. Securing the financing for the first phase of this ambitious project has been a challenge for Blake Hunt, the developer of The Green on Park Place. Dublin Mayor Tim Sbranti remains confident that The Green on Park Place will be successful once financing becomes available. In the meantime, the City is working hard to make sure Whole Foods comes to Dublin. Part of that effort may include establishing a relationship with Matt Holmes, Whole Foods’ real estate broker in Northern California, such that a direct line exists for future communications.
Even if Whole Foods no longer sees The Green on Park Place as a viable option, Dublin still has other locations that may appeal to Whole Foods. Potential alternatives include the DiManto property along Tassajara Road and Fallon Gateway. Building on one of the DiManto parcels is highly unlikely, because the property owner is notorious for being inflexible in negotiations. Fallon Gateway may become the more desirable location, because this plaza will be close to the future Staples Center in Pleasanton and an outlet mall on El Charro Road in Livermore. If Fallon Gateway can acquire both Target and Whole Foods as anchors, Dublin may have a plaza very similar to the wildly successful Shops at Bishop Ranch in San Ramon.
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by John M. Zukoski on January 18, 2010 | 1 Comment | Topics: Parks · Public Works
The City of Dublin, CA, strives to be one of the most bicyclist-friendly cities in the Tri-Valley. In July 2007 the Dublin City Council approved the first Citywide Bikeways Master Plan. The City created this plan to increase access to parks, trails, and open space, as well as to jobs and community facilities. The Bikeways Master Plan also takes into consideration the needs of bicyclists in balance with other modes of travel, while promoting cycling as a healthful and life-enriching activity. With the Bikeways Master Plan in place, the City of Dublin becomes eligible to compete for California state funding earmarked for bike path improvements.
Dublin residents currently enjoy a system of pedestrian-bicycle trails along creeks, channels, and some major roadways. Many of the new roads under development include either bicycle lanes or adjacent paths. The City has installed bicycle parking at key locations, including City Hall and the Dublin Library. Dublin Police Services organizes bicycle safety rodeos at several elementary schools each year and plans to expand this program in the future.
Some of the completed and ongoing projects from the Citywide Bikeways Master Plan include:
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by Around Dublin Team on January 16, 2010 | 15 Comments | Topics: Local Issues
curb-side locking mailbox photo from Solar Group on Amazon.com
The City of Dublin, CA, is seeing a significant increase in mail thefts recently. According to Dublin Police Services, initial reports concentrated in the North Dublin Ranch area on the eastern end of town, where outgoing as well as incoming mail was being stolen. A witness to one of the mail thefts in the North Dublin Ranch area described the suspect as a black male adult wearing a black t-shirt, blue jeans, and a black baseball cap. The suspect was seen driving a red vehicle with orange spoiler.
Another report from January 13th, 2010, indicated theft was also occurring on the west end of town, with the most recent incident taking place on Rolling Hills Circle. A witness from this case described the suspect as a clean-shaven, 5-ft-9-in black male adult with a medium complexion and a short afro in his mid-twenties. The suspect was seen driving a white car.
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by Eric Haggin on January 15, 2010 | No Comments | Topics: Opinions · Public Works
Traffic engineers and planners like those who work for the City of Dublin, CA, call it “traffic calming,” but most of us call them speed bumps. Actually there are differences amongst the bumps, lumps, humps, and dips we see on city streets everyday.
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by John M. Zukoski on January 14, 2010 | 5 Comments | Topics: Development · Sustainability
Maranello at Positano, a new home community in Dublin, CA, has managed to sell well in an otherwise challenging new home market. With more than 50 prospective homebuyers on the interest list, this project has just over 10 lots remaining in the current phase.
Maranello’s developer, Braddock & Logan, has recently rolled out the ECO+ (Energy Conscious Owner+) program to attract homebuyers looking for sustainability features. Responding to market demand, Braddock & Logan has made low-e dual-pane windows, drought-tolerant landscaping, low-use water system, extensive use of recycled materials, and ENERGY STAR appliances all part of the standard features of the Maranello community. The ECO+ program will help position Maranello against Lennar’s environmentally-friendly Sonata community in Dublin Ranch.
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by Tyler Moxley on January 13, 2010 | No Comments | Topics: Opinions
Dublin Detached Homes
The number of detached homes sold in Dublin, CA, dropped a bit in December 2009. A total of 19 homes sold in December compared to 24 in November. This drop could be due to the natural decrease in the number of buyers looking at homes this time of the year. The highest sale price for a Dublin detached home was $800,000 on Crestridge Terrace. That home sold at $226 a square foot. The lowest sale price for a Dublin detached home was $397,650 on York Drive. That home sold at $313 a square foot.
Average days on market for Dublin detached homes was 25 with an average list price of $568,227 at $279 a square foot. The average sale price was $566,771 at $279 a square foot.
Here is a Summary of Data for all Dublin Detached Homes sold in December 2009.
Here is a list of Detached Home Sales in Dublin for December 2009.
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by John M. Zukoski on January 12, 2010 | 4 Comments | Topics: Local Issues
Tragedy struck Dublin on December 19th when an intoxicated 26 year-old male savagely beat his 20-year old girlfriend and 5-month old daughter. The incident occurred at the 3100 block of Finnian Way. Both mother and daughter were treated at Valley Care Medical Center in Pleasanton. This beating is arguably the most disturbing crime committed in Dublin since the homicide on January 7th, 2009, when 91 year-old Selma Hill was murdered in her home on Peppertree Road.
The number of incidents reported in Dublin spiked during December to 196, compared to 172 during November. This figure represents a 14% increase overall, and below is the break-down of the types of incidents reported in December*:
- Stealing is down 11% compared to the data from November.
- Traffic/Quality of Life is up 41% compared to the data from November.
- Violence is up 57% compared to the data from November.
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by Tassajara Prep on January 11, 2010 | 58 Comments | Topics: Schools
Scheduled to open in Dublin, CA, Fall 2012, Tassajara Prep will provide a comprehensive college-prep environment that represents the highest academic and civic standards for all students, establishing a solid foundation for success in premier universities and beyond through rigorous curricula, innovative teaching practices, an expanded choice of Advanced Placement (AP) courses and extracurricular enrichment programs, and integration of the latest technology in the classroom.
Tassajara Prep’s Charter Committee submitted the petition to the Dublin Unified School District (DUSD) on Monday, January 11, 2010. Superintendent Stephen Hanke personally signed for the charter petition at exactly 11:25AM. The main body of the charter petition explains the founders’ vision for Tassajara Prep, what we promise our students, and objective measures for our success. The appendices of the charter petition include, among other important items, a draft course catalog of Tassajara Prep and a detailed fiscal plan with a five-year budget projection and a three-year cash flow projection. The complete petition is available for download in three separate documents:
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