Archive for August, 2010
by John M. Zukoski on August 31, 2010 | 
25 Comments | Topics: Development · Local Businesses · Opinions
Located at the corner of Dublin Boulevard and Dougherty Road in Dublin, CA, Tralee Village is a stunning retail and residential mixed-use infill project that combines timeless architecture with the ultimate in accessibility and convenience. While most of the retail space at Tralee Village has been leased out, nearly all of the 233 residential units sit vacant. The project’s developer, Pinn Brothers, defaulted on its loan, and lender Wells Fargo has assumed ownership of the Shops at Tralee and the unsold condos and townhomes.
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by John M. Zukoski on August 30, 2010 | 18 Comments | Topics: Development
Dublin’s Planning Commission recently approved D.R. Horton’s request to have an option to build either a 105-unit townhouse project named Esprit or 300-unit condo project named Metropolitan. The 15,000 square feet of retail space at the East Dublin BART Station transit village originally proposed for Metropolitan will be dropped for Esprit. The 4.13 acre site for Esprit/Metropolitan is directly across from the Avalon apartment complex on the corner of Dublin Boulevard and Iron Horse Parkway.
If approved by the Dublin City Council, D.R. Horton’s new option would not include the 15,000 square feet of retail space that had initially been planned for the parcel. This decision is based on the fact that there has not been any demand for the existing retail space that sits vacant on the first floor of the Avalon community.
The Esprit project has five plan designs that include two to three bedrooms ranging from 1,174 square feet to 1,610 square feet.
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by John M. Zukoski on August 29, 2010 | No Comments | Topics: Schools
On September 1, 2010, Chevron will be launching its one-month-long Fuel Your School program in partnership with DonorsChoose.org. Chevron hopes to provide public schools in Alameda County and Contra Costa County with funding up to $1M for projects that focus on science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM). Obtaining funding is easy. Teachers simply submit their science, technology, engineering, or math projects to DonorsChoose.org. Projects are approved and funded by DonorsChoose.org up to $2,000 per project in the order that they are received. Participating Chevron stations donate $1 for every 8-gallon or more fill-up to the projects in the city where the gas stations are located.
Dublin, for example, has two participating Chevron gas stations at 7007 San Ramon Valley Boulevard and 7100 Dougherty Road. If 10,000 customers fill-up at these two stations, Chevron will contribute $10,000 to classroom projects in Dublin’s public schools.
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by John M. Zukoski on August 28, 2010 | 10 Comments | Topics: Opinions
With home affordability increasing and interest rates at all time lows, many Tri-Valley residents are considering the possibility of renting out their current homes, so they can buy another primary residence at an attractive price. Meanwhile, people are looking to rent in safe neighborhoods with great schools at an affordable price. Many experts anticipate that the number of renters will increase nationally by 10% over the next year or so.
If you are ready to become a landlord, here are the top five tips to consider when renting out your home:
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by John M. Zukoski on August 26, 2010 | 13 Comments | Topics: Development · Local Issues
The City of Pleasanton recently approved plans to extend Stoneridge Drive out to El Charro Road at the future site of Staples Ranch. Once completed, Staples Ranch is expected to showcase an 11-acre retail plaza, 17-acres of parkland (including an ice skating complex), the 45-acre Stoneridge Creek Pleasanton senior continuing care community, and Hendrick Automotive Group’s 37-acre luxury auto mall.
While the City of Pleasanton may have approved the extension, it gave itself a contingency clause. Pleasanton will extend Stoneridge Drive to El Charro Road only if Livermore connects Jack London Boulevard to El Charro Road. The Jack London Boulevard extension has been put on hold until development begins at the Prime Outlet Mall on El Charro Road. This conditional approval is not the first time Pleasanton has used an “out” clause to delay the extension of Stoneridge Drive. For years the City of Pleasanton has blocked this critical road extension, in spite of Supervisor Scott Haggerty’s promise to have Alameda County pay for it.
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by John M. Zukoski on August 25, 2010 | 22 Comments | Topics: Local Issues · Opinions
A leading factor in Dublin’s City budget woes is that police expenses have continued to skyrocket, while tax revenues have dropped precipitously. In order to balance its budget, the City of Dublin may have to pass a local tax eventually, if it cannot keep the cost of police services down. Dublin currently contracts with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office for police services, and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office has continued to pass along exponential cost increases to Dublin, seemingly without providing any additional services. One strategy to keep Alameda County’s pricing competitive is to allow police agencies in neighboring cities like Pleasanton and San Ramon, Sheriff’s Offices in other counties, and private armed security firms to bid on Dublin’s police services contract.
Private police forces have operated throughout the United States for decades. Many cities such as Portland, OR and New Orleans, LA have already augmented their existing police forces with armed private security guards. Former public police officers, military veterans, and other highly-trained individuals typically comprise these private armed forces. As recently as last year, the City of Oakland hired armed private security guards to patrol its most dangerous areas. According to the Wall Street Journal, while Oakland spends about $250K per year on each police officer, it only cost $200K per year for Oakland to hire four armed private guards.
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by John M. Zukoski on August 23, 2010 | 4 Comments | Topics: Schools
Dublin Unified School District (DUSD) is moving quickly to complete construction on the $28M Kolb Elementary School. The eagerly-awaited school is scheduled to open in the fall of 2011 with students in grades K-3, according to the March 23, 2010 report by the SCI Consulting Group. The K-3 students that were going to be attending nearby Fallon School will relocate to Kolb Elementary School, and Fallon School will only serve grades 4-8 for the 2011-2012 school year. Grades 4 and 5 will likely be added to Kolb Elementary School, as the initial 3rd grade class advances over the following two school years.
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by Around Dublin Team on August 23, 2010 | 1 Comment | Topics: Local Issues · Schools
Tuesday, August 24th, marks the start of the new school year for Dublin’s public schools. Traffic at and near local school sites can be hectic before the school day starts and when the school day ends. Dublin Police Services would like to remind students, parents, and area residents to allow extra time when traveling during school drop off and pick up times, to drive cautiously, to look both ways when crossing the street, and to show common courtesy toward one another. The speed limit around schools when children are present is 25 miles per hour.
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by Tyler Moxley on August 22, 2010 | 1 Comment | Topics: Opinions
If you are looking at different neighborhoods in Dublin, CA, please visit our Dublin Ranch Neighborhoods page. This page features information on schools, parks, floor plans, and an interactive neighborhood map of Dublin Ranch.
The number of detached homes sold in Dublin, CA decreased in July. A total of 29 homes sold in July compared to 33 in June. The number of homes for sale at the end of July was 78. The highest sale price for a Dublin detached home was $925,000 on Bloomfield Terrace. That home sold at $268 a square foot. The lowest sale price for a Dublin detached home was $440,000 on Limerick Avenue. That home sold at $227 a square foot.
Average days on market for Dublin homes was 21 with an average list price of $656,139 at $292 a square foot. The average sale price was $650,268 at $290 a square foot.
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