HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3 SB343 Dublin Crossing Project
SB 343
Senate Bill 343 mandates supplemental materials that have been
received by the Planning Department that relateto an agenda item
after the agenda packets have been distributed tothe City Councilbe
available to the public.This document is also available in the
Planning Department and on theCity’s Website.
The attached document was received in the Planning Department
after distribution of the May 29, 2012Special City Councilmeeting
agendapacket.
Item 35-29-12
______________________________________________________________
May 29, 2012
TO: Honorable Tim Sbranti, Mayor
Council Members - Kevin Hart, Don Biddle, Kasie Hildenbrand, and Eric Swalwell
City Manager Joni Patillo and the City Planning Staff
CC: Mr. Joe Guerra - Argent Management
FR: Ed Duarte, Board President - (VCM)
RE: Dublin Crossings Project
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the council and the city staff for their
cooperation and support for the inclusion of VCM in this project. We also wanted to say
a special thank you to Joe Guerra and the folks at SunCal for supporting and helping to
make this vision become a reality.
Given the length of time and effort invested by SunCal, the City and the VCM board in
trying to
patience and fortitude. The members of the board fully appreciate how difficult this
project has been, but we are now seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.
In reviewing the staff report of May 24, we wanted to express our thoughts in assessing
the final acreage involving our parcel. First however, I wanted to expressly state our
willingness to cooperate with all parties to make our project be compatible with the
overall plans for Central Park.
In 2006, it was proposed to set aside 2.5 acres for the museum. In the meeting of last
August 16, 2011, the council unanimously voted to
within the Camp Parks property.
Pursuant to the current staff report and proposed park plan, we understand that it is now
being recommended that the VCM be integrated into the overall park plan rather than
have a stand-alone parcel.
Our Board fully supports this suggestion as it strengthens our vision for the VCM to be
an asset to the community. We have had discussions with Joe Guerra to express our
support for this approach.
P. O. Box 2102, Dublin, CA 94568
www.valleychildrensmuseum.org
We would like for the council to provide direction to staff to allow for a 40,000 sf pad
which would enable an ultimate build-out of a facility up to 50,000 sf.
museums range in size from 25,000 sf to 70,000 sf Two local facilities include the
Discovery Museum in San Jose at 52,000 sf and a new addition for the Exploratorium
currently under construction in San Francisco which will add 30,000 sf to their current
facility which has over 100,000 sf.
Our point being that in order to provide a viable and extremely valuable asset for the
City, we need to plan on a facility of at least 40,000 to 50,000 SF at final phased build-
out
Our demographic study commissioned in 2003 indicated a large and vibrant young-
parents community that would definitely support such a facility right here in the Tri-Valley
with Dublin being at the virtual center of this region. The tremendous success we have
had in attendance at our Mobile Museum in Emerald Glen Park during the Farmers
Market last season validates that perspective. We had over 750 children attend our
facility and that was with very minimal outreach and publicity.
We just completed a pilot program with the Pleasanton and San Ramon School Districts
in using our Mobile Mission at Emerald Glen as a field trip destination by fourth graders
studying the California Missions. This program will roll out next Fall as a full-fledged
cooperative effort with those two school districts. We expect other districts to follow suit.
As for location, we would certainly prefer to be nearer to Dublin Boulevard and the
Carousel as such high visibility would simply enhance our profile in the region and the
city. At the same time, the economics and the timing of the project may dictate another
location. possible locations for the VCM in
order to work with their phased schedule.
As I said before, we fully recognize and acknowledge that we are included here solely
due to the generosity of SunCal and the City. For that we are eternally grateful, but we
felt it was important to articulate our position.
We look forward to working with Joe and his company, the City planning staff, and we
stand ready to help facilitate this project so it works best for all concerned.
Sincerely,
Ed
Ed Duarte
Board President
P. O. Box 2102, Dublin, CA 94568
www.valleychildrensmuseum.org