City Hopes to Form Old Alvarado Merchant Association

Can our city have a bustling downtown like Livermore, Pleasanton, or even Niles? The City of Union City hopes so.

Since 2011, the city has been looking into forming an Old Alvarado Merchant Association — one of several efforts, along with visible “Old Alvarado” signage, to revitalize the historic district.

At last Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Economic Development staff announced that they are in the process of joining the California Main Street Alliance, a member organization that will provide expertise, support and training for the local association. City leaders have also met with representatives from the Livermore Downtown Association and other groups.

The city is currently conducting a detailed report on properties in the district.

According to the City of Union City, the area is a mix of new and historic buildings, accounting for about 122,000 square feet of commercial space. The neighborhood accounts for about 150 jobs. The district consists of the commercial core along Smith Street, along with the commercial and residential properties on Horner Street, Watkins Street, Vallejo Street and Union City Boulevard.

More than an economic center for the city, Old Alvarado “evokes strong emotions and helps define the area’s identity,” Economic Development Coordinator Christine Friday noted in an October 2012 staff report.

Forming a merchant’s association is the first step in building on Old Alvarado’s historic character, Friday said in the report.

The move would be win-win-win all around, city staff noted.

For local businesses, forming the association would improve the area and offer more opportunity for growth along with a potentially wider customer base and less financial risk, according to a staff report. Property owners could also see a higher property value, increased occupancy and stable or higher rents via the association and city’s efforts. If successful, city government could see increased tax revenue and the local chamber of commerce could increase its membership.

A meeting for the Old Alvarado Merchant Association will be held on Jan. 31 from noon to 2 p.m. at Bronco Billy’s Pizza Parlor, according to city staff.

Do you think Union City needs a “downtown” area? How could the Old Alvarado district be improved? Tell us in the comments section.

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