What’s Going into the Former Daughtrey Building? Let’s Check the Contract!

Economic Development
8

We’ve been reading the developer agreement for the Daughtrey’s Building, trying to understand what Castro Valley will get out of it, and what say, if any, we will have in it.
Off Price Retail at the Daughtrey's Building?
Section 6.2 (page 25) of the agreement stipulates: “The Developer acknowledges that certain proposed uses, and/or tenants of the Property, as more particularly described in Exhibit G, require the prior written approval of the Director which shall be granted or denied by the Director as set forth in this Section.” Let’s check out Exhibit G [PDF] to see what requires prior written approval, what needs prior written approval only if on the street frontage, and, crucially, see what doesn’t require prior written approval:

Types of Use that Need Prior Written Approval:

  • Antique Re-Sale
  • “Dollar Store where “Dollar Store” shall mean a.99 cents store or “dollar” store including by way of example but not limitation, stores such as Big Lots, 99-cent Only, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, or Family Dollar.”
  • “Low-value Retail where “Low-value Retail” means a retail store whose primary purpose is the selling of damaged, used, or heavily discounted merchandise because of its condition, or stores at the bottom-end of the Off-price Retail (defined below) spectrum such as DD’s Discounts. “
  • “Thrift Stores such as Goodwill, Salvation Army or similar stores selling second-hand goods”
  • “Liquor Sales (not intended to preclude [i] a restaurant selling alcohol for on-premises consumption such as by way of example and not limitation Buffalo Wild Wings, Buffalo Bills, Pyramid Brewery, or Elephant Bar, or [ii] a first class retailer such as BevMo, Total Wine & More, or a specialty wine merchant).”

Types of Use that Need Prior Written Approval for Street-Facing Store Frontage:

  • Beauty/Barber services
  • Financial Institutions
  • Day Spas
  • Dry Cleaners
  • Indoor Exercise
  • Photocopying Services
  • Tailor Services

Types of Use that Do Not Need Prior Written Approval:

Low-value Retail is distinguished from so-called “Off-price Retail” which shall mean a retailer that generally offers quality, fashionable, private label (its own or other’s), brand name, or off-season merchandise with every day prices that are generally below regular retail prices for comparable merchandise and include by way of example and not limitation TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross, Home Goods, Shoe Pavilion, DSW, Stein Mart, Burlington Coat, or Fry’s. The Parties hereby acknowledge that, as of the Execution Date, such stores do not constitute “Low-value Retail” as defined above. The Parties further acknowledge that Off-price Retail does not constitute “Low-value Retail” (as defined above). The Parties further acknowledge that Off-price Retail shall not include Dollar Stores or Thrift Stores. Off-price Retail is permitted and is not a Director-Approved Use [my emphasis].

And there you have it. That location has so much potential, but the developer can explicitly rent out the former Daughtrey building to yet another off-price retail chain, with nary a word from the County. And even “low-value retail” needs the approval of only one person: the Director handling the former redevelopment properties for Alameda County. The contract does not preclude the Director from seeking input from the MAC, but it does not require it, either. Is it too late to add this requirement into the contract?

Is it too late for Castro Valley to have a say in what happens to this county-owned property in the middle of our downtown? Is this really the best we can do on Castro Valley Boulevard? Is this what we want for Castro Valley?

No, this is definitely NOT what we want for Castro Valley Boulevard. What a shame that this prominent site is being considered for downscale retail uses (doesn’t Castro Valley have enough of these stores already?) when other viable opportunities such as a beautiful and vibrant Town Green were presented to the MAC Board. Truly, where there is no vision, the people perish.

Pete, thank you for your support. “Truly, where there is no vision, the people perish,” is a great line; I hope if there are opportunities in the future for Castro Valley residents to share their vision that you share yours.

Jeff, the Spirit Stores’ physical locations are not open year-round, although they do have online ordering year-round.

It’s encouraging to see the recent CVM post/site plan related to the shared parking lot behind Daughtreys and Ice Creamery. The site plan looks well thought out, pedestrian friendly and rather attractive so this area of downtown will see an improvement.

Even though the town square idea didn’t pan out we should still fight vigorously to have the Daughtreys building become a gathering place for our community. Turn it into an open-air market (move the Farmers Market there) with other rotating community events in the afternoon/evening.What influence can our community realistically have on how this property is developed?

Since my first trip to New Orleans, in October of last year, I’ve been a bit consumed with thoughts of its fantastic live music (in the streets!) and public art and how CV, downtown and throughout, would be such a more vibrant and wonderful place if we could create even a little of that magic here. CV is filled with talented musicians and artists…so how do we make their fantastic gifts a part of our daily lives? If our town was filled with lovely live music and beautiful public (local) art I’m quite sure the Castro Valley Forum’s “Letters to the Editor” page would not be filled with complaints of billboards and cigarette butts because the senses would be too busy to notice (just as visitors look past the crumbling sidewalks of New Orleans, a 300-yr old city).

And CVM’s recent tweet is spot on: “Janette Sadik-Kahn says more spaces on street for peds, more seating, more art on streets, etc in New York greatly increased retail sales…” Maybe the MAC and the developer could get excited about that!

Anyone else interested in this kind of future for CV, would love to brainstorm with you!

Christine, thank you for the enthusiastic reply! There are some members of CVM who are looking at options for public art, including a mural on the I-580 overpass on Redwood Road, and art on the utility boxes in town. I can put you in touch with them, if you like.

In addition, there will be an update on the Daughtrey’s building at the MAC meeting on Monday, April 20 — 6 p.m. at the library. I encourage you to attend and speak up about your vision for the site.

Thanks Rebecca. I’d very much like to be put in touch with the CVM folks pursuing public art.

I will also plan on attending the MAC meeting this Monday.

Really appreciate all the great info and insights you and CVM provide!

Christine, I’ll email you at the address you are using in the comment (don’t worry; only site admins can see that email address); let me know if I should use a different one instead.

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