Council Selects Developer to Build on Depot Circle Land

Though both developers presented highly detailed development proposals, the city council Monday night ultimately selected developer Hunter/Storm because of its prior work built in Redwood City.

Back on May 30, Hunter/Storm submitted a proposal of 261,000 square feet of office space plus a 6,000 square foot conference center and 3,000 square feet of retail space. The development will also have a five-level parking garage with 810 spaces, with one level underground.

However, councilmembers emphasized that the selection of the developer did not mean a rubber stamp of approval on the original design. They said the decision Monday night was about selecting the developer, not a final design plan. City staff will work the developer during the entire construction process to ensure that the development is a gateway project that will revitalize downtown.

“Both teams are strong in all [the selection criteria.] Both will revitalize that area,” said Councilmember Jeff Ira. “But it’s the team I feel the most comfortable with.”

Hunter/Storm has completed seven existing projects in Redwood City, including the Redwood City Technology Center. The company also worked very closely to adhere to the city’s existing , councilmembers noted.

The councilmembers additionally based their decision on six criteria: revitalization of downtown, design, parking, financing (construction and make them real,) schedule, and construction impact mitigation.

After narrowing the pool of 25 applications, city staff invited two developers—Hunter/Storm and Lowe Enterprises—to submit proposals by March 30.

In addition to the gateway project of office space, a conference center and some retail, Hunter/Storm proposed a 120-room hotel and 40 parking stalls on the company’s current Winslow Street property.

The council also liked Hunter/Storm’s ability to connect the Block 2 development with its privately owned land. Hunter/Storm’s Chairman Edward Storm highlighted that the company had already invested $3 million into the site.

“We’re going to go forward. We’ll keep investing in this,” said Storm. “We’re committed to making this the best possible project.”

As one of the first developments Caltrain commuters will see when exiting the train, the council emphasized the need for a project emblematic of the city.

“This critical piece is a gateway location and incredible opportunity for us,” Pierce said. “It needs to complement what currently exists in downtown and make a statement.”

The developers said they would earmark approximately $1 million for a landmark piece that would be the symbol of the project.

“An obelisk, a statue, whatever it is,” said President Derek Hunter, Jr. “We want public input.”

There would be approximately 574 employees on the project, depending on the type of business that occupies the building. City staff’s analysis estimates that anywhere from 50 to 100 people per day would be present in the area because of the hotel.

The council was a little more wary of developer Lowe Enterprises’ proposal of 262,100 square feet of office space and a 126-unit apartment complex because it seemed as if the developers were trying to include every possible use onto the piece of land.

“I’m worried that we’re trying to cram too many things onto on site,” Pierce said. “Housing is not as important because I’ve seen enough plans at other sites,” Pierce said.

The proposal also included a five-level parking garage with 903 spaces, with two levels below ground. The proposal predicted about 574 employees on the area.

However, two residents who spoke, were highly in favor of including housing on the project, whichever developer was chosen.

“With this sort of precedent, whichever proposal you select, you should have a housing component in there,” said resident Dan Ponti. “If the city won’t insist on that for their own properties, it’ll be difficult to convince future developers to incorporate that.”

Gail Rabbe echoed those sentiment, “We should take advantage of this early opportunity to get more residents living downtown and support restaurants and entertainment on evenings and weekends.”

Hunter Storm told the council that it would not be opposed to including a housing element in the project, in addition to the office space, conference center and hotel.

“I want people there well into the night,” Councilmember Ian Bain said of the project. “If a hotel can accomplish that as much as residential piece can, that’s important.”

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter | Blog for us