Catellus named preferred developer for county fairgrounds project
Written on August 2, 2008
Catellus Development Group said it was selected as the preferred developer for a major new mixed-use project in San Jose on the site of the county fairgrounds.
The Oakland-based group — a ProLogis (NYSE:PLD) company specializing in mixed-use development — said Santa Clara County Executive Pete Kutras will recommend to the Board of Supervisors that the county enter into an exclusive negotiating agreement with Catellus.
Catellus, along with its San Jose-based development partners, The Riding Group and The Morley Bros., will present a preliminary vision for the fairgrounds property — a 150-acre site just south of downtown San Jose — during a public Board of Supervisors workshop on Aug. 26.
"We are extremely pleased to be moving forward with the next phase of negotiations on our proposed redevelopment plan for the county fairgrounds property," said Aidan Barry, first vice president for Catellus in Northern California. "We believe this project represents an ideal opportunity to transform a large tract of underutilized infill land into an entirely new, dynamic, sustainable and cutting-edge community that delivers new jobs, tax revenues, affordable housing options, open space and other public amenities."
Catellus has more than 20 years of brownfield and urban redevelopment expertise, having served as master developer for several notable mixed-use and retail projects in the Bay Area, including River Oaks in Santa Clara payday loans.
The company said its preliminary vision for the fairgrounds project incorporates a network of streets and paths that encourage walking and cycling, office and retail buildings that feature green building technology, community gathering places and parks, and affordable housing.
The county will host two community open houses at the fairgrounds to introduce the recommended developer to the community. The open houses will be Wednesday, Aug. 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Thursday, Aug. 21 from 5 to 7 p.m.
"I want to emphasize that this is just the beginning of the process," said Patrick Love, the county's asset and economic development director.
The land has been owned continuously by the county since 1939 and has been used over the years for major community festivals, music concerts, the annual County Fair, trade and consumer shows, and related public uses.