Development
by John M. Zukoski on February 10, 2011 | 
17 Comments | Topics: Development · Restaurants
Dublin’s Economic Development Director Linda Maurer recently confirmed that the fast-growing foodie favorite Five Guys Burgers and Fries will be opening at Hacienda Crossings in Dublin, CA. Five Guys will take over the space currently occupied by Taxi’s Hamburgers. Zagat survey rated from 2001-2010, Five Guys recently pulled the ultimate coup and toppled In-N-Out Burger for best fast food burger. Dublin is one of 200 locations that Five Guys plans to open in 2011. The outgoing Taxi’s Hamburgers never recovered from the 2009 scandal involving allegations from a former employee of sexual harassment, discrimination, and assault.
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by John M. Zukoski on February 9, 2011 | 1 Comment | Topics: City Hall · Development · Opinions · Schools
With vast portions of open space, an 18-acre community park, and retail in the plans, Jordan Ranch is a 188-acre project bound by Positano to the north, I-580 to the south, Fallon Road to the west, and Croak Road to the east in Dublin, CA. Developer Mission Valley Properties recently received approval from Dublin City Council for initiating studies to make significant changes to the Jordan Ranch project in East Dublin. If the requested changes are approved by the City Council, Mission Valley Properties will provide Dublin with another $1M community benefit payment that will be paid over a four year period. This $1M payment would be on top of the $5M already secured by Dublin for granting an earlier request by Mission Valley Properties to eliminate the affordable housing requirement at Jordan Ranch.
The proposed changes at Jordan Ranch effectively reduce the density of the overall project through the elimination of a mixed-use element and converting medium-high density residential areas to medium density. This reduction is analogous to changing a project with homes packed in like the Dublin Ranch Villages’ to something with just a tad more wiggle room like Sorrento at Dublin Ranch. While the overall density will be reduced, the number of homes will only decrease from 780 units to 751 units.
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by John M. Zukoski on February 2, 2011 | 13 Comments | Topics: City Hall · Development · Local Businesses
The Dublin Planning Commission recently gave its blessing for REI to construct a second tower element at the future store location on Amador Plaza Road in Dublin, CA. REI’s original plans already have a 36-foot tower at the front entrance of the building. REI is adding the 40 foot tower and freeway-oriented sign in the rear of the store to improve visibility for drivers traveling on I-680. The nearly two-acre site was occupied by Dublin Honda until 2006 and now features a partially constructed building that was initially planned for Custom Fireplace, Patio, and BBQ. REI expects to open its new Dublin store in Fall 2011.
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by John M. Zukoski on February 1, 2011 | 12 Comments | Topics: Development · Local Issues
The US Army recently held a series of public hearings in Dublin, CA to receive feedback and share information on the $1.5M cleanup of contaminated soil at Camp Parks near the Iron Horse Trail and the Dublin Boulevard entrance to Camp Parks. Antimony, arsenic, cobalt, copper, dioxins/furans, lead, mercury, and zinc are among the toxins that were left by an incinerator used to burn refuse during the 1940s and 1950s. Army research has indicated that the arsenic could also be due to “naturally occurring soil concentrations.” A 2007 study also found that the concentration of lead and dioxins/furans in the groundwater beneath the impacted area was above the acceptable level set by the State of California. While the future Dublin Crossing development is the epicenter of the toxic soil and groundwater, how effectively the U.S. Army performs the cleanup will have an impact on Danville, Pleasanton, and San Ramon, as all three cities are connected by the Iron Horse Trail.
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by John M. Zukoski on January 27, 2011 | 10 Comments | Topics: Development
Sports Authority recently unveiled the eagerly anticipated design plans for its new location in Dublin, CA. Sports Authority will be opening in late 2011 and taking over 45,500 square feet, or roughly half, of the old Mervyn’s building in Downtown Dublin. The other half of the building is being reserved for a yet-to-be-named tenant.
Sports Authority’s new Dublin location will have a main entrance facing Dublin Boulevard with a beautifully landscaped, 12-foot walkway to shepherd customers from a newly redrawn parking lot into a newly renovated building. Although Sports Authority will not be replacing the dated pebbled stone facade that ruled the commercial building look in the 1970s, it will be creating a shopping environment that has a softer, more pedestrian friendly, and ultimately more inviting look-and-feel than the visual that Dublin has been stuck with for the past four decades.
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by John M. Zukoski on January 13, 2011 | 9 Comments | Topics: Development · Opinions
The City of Dublin is conducting a study to annex the 1,450 acres of land in between Dublin and Livermore commonly referred to as Doolan Canyon. Pacific Union, the developer for the Doolan Canyon project, is currently proposing to build a Rossmoor-like 1,990 home active lifestyle community for seniors. If built, the Doolan Canyon project will compete with 45-acre Stoneridge Creek senior community at Staples Ranch near El Charro Road just across I-580 in Pleasanton. One of the major obstacles to the project is that the Cities of Dublin and Livermore had previously agreed not to develop the Doolan Canyon area. The City of Dublin and Pacific Union are in a position to make an offer the City of Livermore cannot refuse.
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by John M. Zukoski on January 10, 2011 | 13 Comments | Topics: Development · Opinions
The City of Dublin is expanding eastward towards Livermore, CA. The building out of Fallon Village, which includes the Positano community, and Dublin’s well publicized intention to develop Doolan Canyon are all part of this expansion. Some have speculated that Dublin Boulevard will be extended to Livermore within the next five to six years.
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by John M. Zukoski on January 1, 2011 | 33 Comments | Topics: Development · Local Businesses · Opinions · Restaurants · Retail · Schools
Dublin, CA is set to have a great year in 2011. While the reasons for optimism are limitless, the Around Dublin Team would like to share our top 10 list of things to look forward to in 2011.
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by Around Dublin Team on December 31, 2010 | 2 Comments | Topics: Development · Local Issues · Parks · Schools
The City of Dublin has had quite a year in 2010. In January, the Around Dublin Blog speculated on the future of The Green on Park Place and readers responded with some very insightful comments. Michael B speculated that Sprouts Farmers Market might have been a good alternative to Whole Foods at The Green. Michael B was actually not too far off, as Sprouts Farmers Market announced in September that it would be opening a new Dublin store in 2011 at the former Circuit City location. The City of Dublin received more good news in December when Johnny Garlic’s decided to take over the restaurant space previously occupied by Fuzio at the Hacienda Crossings. The new Johnny Garlic’s in Dublin is expected to open by March 2011.
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