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Hope Street Lots

In March 2015, City Council directed staff to prepare a lease of two downtown City parking lots for development of a  hotel and public parking structure. Lots 4 and 8 are located on Hope Street between West Evelyn Avenue and Villa Street, referred to as Hope Street Lots. Developing these lots fulfills the City's goal of attracting a high-quality downtown hotel, while increasing available public parking in Downtown. The project also includes a modest office and retail component. Development of the lots will generate revenue to the City through taxes and a long-term ground lease.  The selected development team has experience, financial and technical capability, creativity, and capacity to develop the property consistent with the City goals for a high-quality project.

Process

The process for developing the Hope Street Lots includes:

1. Selection of a Development Team -  At the January 12, 2016 City Council meeting, Council directed staff to proceed with the Exclusive Right to Negotiate Agreement for development of the Hope Street Lots with The Robert Green Company (TRGC).  On May 3, 2016, the City Council approved the negotiated business terms by and between the City and TRGC.  At the May 17, 2016 City Council meeting, the City will discuss and consider the development agreement and ground leases and consider an Economic Development Subsidy Report pursuant to Government Code Section 53083.

2. Planning, Design, and Entitlements - On November 27, 2018, the City Council approved a five-story, 179-room hotel to be operated by Joie de Vivre Hotels with three levels of underground parking and ground-floor lobby amenities, including a restaurant, bar, cafe, and courtyard, on Lot 4 and a four-story mixed-used building with 49,000 square feet of office and 3,500 square feet of ground-floor retail with three levels of underground parking on Lot 8 (see Item 6.1).

The prior entitlements expired in 2022. Therefore, the Robert Green Company will apply for new planning entitlements in 2023.  

3. Construction

4. Occupancy

Prior pUblic Meetings

  • October 27, 2021- Administrative Zoning Hearing on a 1-year permit extension for both the Development Review Permit and Planned Community Permit (Meeting Information)
  • May 17, 2016 - City Council Public Hearing to hold a public hearing regarding an economic development subsidy pursuant to California Government Code Section 53083 and authorize the City Manager to execute the Disposition and Development Agreement and ground leases. (Meeting Agenda and Staff Report - Item 6.2)
  • May 3, 2016 - City Council Public Hearing to approve negotiated business terms for the Disposition and Development Agreement and ground leases for Hope Street Parking Lots 4 and 8. (Meeting Agenda and Staff Report - Item 7.1) 
  • January 12, 2016 - City Council Public Hearing to consider approving the best qualified development team.  (Meeting Agenda and Staff Report - Item 7.2)
  • October 6, 2015 - City Council Public Hearing to continue discussions with the Robert Green Company regarding the development of the Hope Street Lots. (Meeting Agenda and Staff Report - Item 7.1)
  • March 31, 2015 - City Council Public Hearing to seek a developer for the Hope Street Parking Lots 4 and 8. (Meeting Agenda and Staff Report - Item 7.1)
  • January 20, 2015 - City Council Study Session to discuss the development of the downtown parking lots. (Meeting Agenda and Staff Report - Item 3.1)

For more information on the project, please contact John Lang in Economic Development by phone at (650) 903-6457 or by email.

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