Cities Civil and Municipal November 2024

City of San Leandro, California

November 26, 2024

City of San Leandro, California

A Vision for Economic Development, Innovation, and Quality of Life

Strategically enhancing its infrastructure, housing, and business environment to create a thriving, future-ready city.

San Leandro, CA, strikes a rare balance between urban vibrancy and suburban calm. Located along the edge of the San Francisco Bay, it stretches eastward from waterfront parks to the hills of the East Bay. Its geographic diversity is one of its most striking features. “We’re a city filled with parks—on the shoreline, in the hills, and scattered throughout the neighborhoods,” says Mayor Juan González III. For him, this abundance of green space isn’t just a matter of civic pride but a vital part of the community’s lifestyle, providing everything from hiking trails to tranquil retreats for residents of all ages.

Beyond its natural beauty, what sets San Leandro apart, Mayor González emphasizes, is its sense of community. “We are a city that’s vibrant, bringing together the energy of young people and long-established residents who have a real zest for life,” he explains. This diversity and a welcoming attitude toward businesses and development have positioned the city as a forward-thinking hub. San Leandro recently earned California’s prestigious pro-housing designation, placing fourth statewide—a sign that the city’s efforts are being recognized.

On what makes San Leandro stand out among its neighboring cities, Mayor González boils down to one factor: location. “Location, location, location. We’re centrally located,” he notes. With Oakland International Airport just minutes away, residents can easily access West Coast destinations like Hawaii and Mexico. And while the city offers all the conveniences of urban life, San Leandro is not caught up in the “chaos” of more densely packed urban centers like Oakland or Berkeley. In many ways, it’s San Leandro’s ability to strike this balance between urban and suburban that resonates most with its residents. “We’re suburban enough to avoid that frenzy, but we’re not some overly sanitized suburb,” the mayor says. “People love that it’s real here.”

A Downtown Focus on Growth and Livability

San Leandro’s downtown area is undergoing a thoughtful transformation that blends development with beautification and livability. Mayor González explains that the city has concentrated on areas like downtown to maximize impact. “With limited resources, we need to be strategic,” he says. Economic development and quality of life are priorities, with beautification playing a central role in creating a welcoming downtown environment.

A major goal in the downtown plan is to encourage more foot traffic. “We’ve been working on densification,” Mayor González says, with an objective of increasing the number of people living and spending time downtown. This, in turn, supports local businesses and contributes to the area’s economic vitality. Recent beautification initiatives include expanding the city’s “cleaning ambassadors,” a dedicated team ensuring the downtown stays tidy and attractive. Additionally, automated trash cans with sensors notify when they need emptying, preventing overflow and keeping streets clean.

On the development front, Mayor González details several significant housing projects near downtown, increasing the local population while enhancing commercial activity. “Within 1 to 2 blocks of downtown, we’ve built three projects,” he notes, highlighting a new building near the San Leandro BART station that will soon house 200 residential units. The ground floor will feature commercial spaces, including a boutique grocery store and a coffee shop—venues carefully chosen to complement the local character and serve the growing population.

Industrial Revitalization and Business Appeal

San Leandro is seizing new industrial and commercial development opportunities, repurposing legacy spaces, and spurring innovation. Mayor González points to Gate 510, a former auto plant that now houses tech startups across sectors like biotech, food tech, and clean energy. “It has transformed into a hub for cutting-edge industries,” he says. Another key project, the former Bayfair Mall, is also developing. While it retains retail space, much is being converted for light industrial and research purposes.

The mayor proactively courts clean energy and tech companies, attends industry conferences, and personally engages with CEOs. “As a smaller city, we’re nimble,” he says, pointing out how San Leandro’s smaller bureaucracy allows it to fast-track permitting and other processes that can be bogged down in larger cities. This flexibility is a selling point for businesses looking to avoid red tape while benefiting from the Bay Area’s proximity to world-class research institutions and capital investors.

Regarding attracting businesses, Mayor González emphasizes San Leandro’s affordability and strategic location. “We’re less expensive than most of the Bay Area,” he notes, adding that businesses are drawn to the city’s proximity to UC Berkeley, UCSF, Stanford, and Silicon Valley. The city’s transportation options also enhance its appeal. “With two BART stations serving the city, you can reach downtown San Francisco, Silicon Valley, or Berkeley by train rides of between 25 to 35 minutes,” the mayor says.

A Green Initiative Rooted in Community

San Leandro’s climate action targets policy while involving the entire community. Mayor González proudly recounts a key initiative from 2023, where the city planted over 1,000 trees. “It was a true community effort,” he says, noting that volunteers from local schools and neighborhoods joined city staff to bring the project to life. The city handled the heavy lifting—literally—by digging the holes while volunteer arborists shared their expertise. “It wasn’t just about planting a tree. It was about teaching people how to do it themselves,” he explains.

The initiative was an environmental effort and a way to engage residents in a broader conversation about sustainability. “It was a win-win-win,” says Mayor González, referring to the project’s ability to combine the city’s climate goals with residents’ enthusiasm and state funding to fight climate change. The trees themselves will contribute to long-term benefits like cleaner air, cooler streets, and more shaded areas across the city.

While the immediate benefit is the 1,000 trees planted throughout San Leandro, the project’s educational component is equally significant. “The goal was to inspire people to think about their own spaces—where they could plant trees and how they could contribute individually to climate efforts,” the mayor notes. The initiative also highlights San Leandro’s broader focus on environmental resilience, which includes reducing carbon emissions and supporting sustainable urban growth.

Expanding Housing for All Income Levels

As housing affordability becomes a central focus in California, San Leandro is tackling the challenge with various residential projects aimed at diverse income levels. Mayor González differentiates between entitling housing projects and actually getting them built. “We have several projects close to downtown and Bayfair that are entitled, but we’re pushing to move beyond that—to get these developments under construction,” he says.

The city is targeting housing solutions that balance density with accessibility. “We’re interested in providing starter homes, whether it’s compact townhomes or condominiums,” Mayor González explains, noting that this approach helps curb suburban sprawl while offering more people a chance at homeownership. The city is especially focused on building housing close to public transportation, with BART stations and easy freeway access, making these projects attractive to future homeowners and commuters.

Affordable housing also plays a critical role in San Leandro’s long-term vision. The mayor discusses the importance of workforce housing, particularly for essential community members like teachers and first responders who may not earn the higher salaries typical in tech-driven industries. “We recently passed a school bond that included 55 units of staff housing,” he says. While the state’s definitions of affordability are based on area median income, San Leandro’s approach is more inclusive, addressing the real-world needs of its residents across income bands.

Problem-Solving Through Collaboration and Precision

In his leadership role, Mayor González believes that effective problem-solving requires the correct approach. “If you really want to solve a problem, you need to understand the root cause. Otherwise, you’re just painting over wood rot,” he says. This mentality stems from his years as a consultant, where he learned that simply covering issues leads to higher costs in the long run. For him, addressing underlying challenges sustainably ensures that the city doesn’t waste resources on quick fixes but instead implements solutions that endure.

Collaboration is also a cornerstone of his approach. “You have to work with your partner agencies—whether it’s the county, the state, or the federal government—in a way that’s constructive and not blaming,” he explains. The mayor stresses the importance of team spirit, recognizing that while everyone is working hard, sometimes they need clearer direction to be more effective. A collaborative, solution-oriented mindset fosters progress, particularly when navigating complex municipal challenges.

The city’s partnerships with private developers and nonprofit housing organizations are vital to San Leandro’s growth. The mayor praises these collaborators for taking financial risks that help drive the city forward. “The folks at Gate 510 and B3 investors have been great partners,” he notes, referring to redeveloping critical city areas. He also commends nonprofit developers like Eden Housing for their contributions to affordable housing projects, stating, “They’ve delivered what I call visually indistinguishable affordable housing—where you can’t tell it’s affordable housing just by looking at it.” For Mayor González, these partnerships show what can be achieved when all parties work toward a common goal.

Looking Ahead: Economic Development as a Core Focus

As San Leandro looks toward the future, Mayor González is clear that economic development sits at the top of his agenda. “Economic development is the single highest priority,” he says, noting that this goal is multifaceted and deeply interconnected with other key aspects of city planning. Housing development is crucial, as bringing in more residents creates a stronger foundation for local businesses. Similarly, attracting the right mix of companies and investors is vital for long-term growth.

Quality of life is another crucial part. “Creating or enhancing the quality of life feel in the city enhances economic development,” Mayor González says. He adds that the city must look clean and welcoming to attract new businesses and residents. “People come and check out your city before investing,” he adds, highlighting the importance of making a positive first impression. This means ensuring that public spaces are well-maintained and traffic flows smoothly without disruptions like reckless driving or frequent red-light runners.

“We’ve got to take care of the basics,” the mayor asserts, whether keeping the city visually appealing or ensuring public safety remains a top priority. These seemingly small details—clean streets, safe neighborhoods, well-maintained parks—play a pivotal role in making San Leandro an attractive destination for businesses and residents. “When you do that and invite people to come, that will drive economic development,” Mayor González concludes. But he leaves no room for complacency: “We’ve got to be on our A game all the time.”