Press Release January 22, 2006

2002

SJECCD Governing Board directed SJECCD to file a general plan change with the City of San Jose to develop 10 acres of district owned land (adjacent to the current shopping center) for retail use.

In late 2002 City Councilmember Cortese had SJECCD’s application placed on hold along with another application submitted by the Legacy Group. Cortese wanted to begin a more comprehensive planning process that dealt with the remaining open parcels of land in the Evergreen area for the purpose of developing a “specific plan” for the Evergreen area. This planning process involved six major property owners, including SJECCD. Additionally, Councilmember Cortese and the City Planning Department wanted SJECCD to master plan the entire available site, not just the 10 acres initially identified.

2003 - 2005

The expanded Evergreen area planning process began in early 2003 and ended in mid 2005 by action of the City Council. Councilmember Cortese had created and advisory council within his own District #8, however since the Evergreen development would impact neighboring Districts #5 and #7, the City Council determined that a different committee structure was needed. The Council established a committee with representation from the other affected Council Districts as well as individuals having a city-wide perspective. Several members of the newly formed committee represented the six major property owners. Vice Chancellor Michael Hill was appointed to represent SJECCD.

In the summer of 2003 SJECCD issued a Request For Qualifications (RFQ) for development partners for the purpose determining the level of potential interest and possible development ideas. In July 2003 the Governing Board adopted a set of planning principles to be used in developing the Request For Proposals (RFP) seeking a development partner.

The RFP was issued by SJECCD in fall 2003. Responses to the RFP were received in early 2004. SJECCD representatives and the Governing Board Land Development Committee reviewed the proposals and narrowed the list of potential development partners. This process continued throughout 2004 and into 2005.

While SJECCD had not yet selected a development partner, the process for development of the Evergreen area as lead by Councilmember Cortese and the City Council continued.

SJECCD Governing Board gave direction to file the general plan and zoning change for the sites surrounding the existing retail center. This included the open land between Evergreen Valley College campus and San Felipe Road. It also included the land currently housing the District Office and Criminal Justice Training Center. In total, the site is 27.1 acres. The application file in May 2005 included up to 500 housing units, 100,000 square feet of retail space, and 95,000 square feet of office space. The City Council sponsored land development committee and the City Planning Department were continuing to evaluate the application as of January 2006.

In summer of 2005 with no satisfactory conclusion on the first development RFP, the Governing Board made the decision to issue a second RFP using the parameters identified above. The second RFP was issued in September 2005 with responses due in November 2005.

During the time frame of 2002-2005 there were three open, publicized meetings on the campus of Evergreen Valley College to discuss land development activities. The most recent meeting was in late fall 2005.

SJECCD held two community meetings to discuss land development. The first such meeting was held in December 2004 with the second meeting held in February 2005. For each meeting, 1,800 letters of invitation were sent to nearby community residents. SJECCD employees also attended.

2006

Chancellor Rosa G. Perez appointed EVC President David Wain Coon to the Board Land Development Committee.

Evaluation of the five responses to the second RFP issued in September 2005 by the Board Land Development Committee and SJECCD representatives began January 2006. No formal action has been taken on the RFP.

Projected Timeline:

As this summary illustrates, there are parallel land development activities occurring, those directed by the City Council and those under the purview of the SJECCD Governing Board. The following is a projected timeline that may vary depending on the nature of circumstances.

• The City Council land development committee is scheduled to complete its work by May 2006 and forward its recommendations for area wide development of Evergreen to the Council for consideration and action.


• The City Council is expected to act in June 2006 on the general plan and zoning application submitted by the six previously noted property owners.


• SJECCD intends to narrow the RFP developer pool and generate a non-binding letter of intent by April 2006.


• SJECCD intends to issue a formal land development bid in May 2006.


• SJECCD Governing Board anticipates awarding the land development bid in July 2006.


• SJECCD anticipates beginning negotiation of a ground lease with the successful bidder in July 2006.


• Actual development plans will begin sometime after July 2006 and will include a thorough and collaborative review process including the solicitation of input from SJECCD, Evergreen Valley College, the community and city.