The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

City Council signs contract to build a new downtown

Walker calls possible lack of parking a 'deal breaker'

By Justin Berton

Sunnyvale's new downtown could be completed by the year 2002 now that City Council members have approved a detailed contract with the developer at the Aug. 18 meeting.

A lack of parking in the area remains a concern for residents who attended the meeting, but a majority of the 23 citizens who spoke during the six-hour meeting favored the project.

One councilmember called the parking issue a potential "deal breaker" if developers could not remedy the situation.

Acting as the Redevelopment Agency, councilmembers voted 4-1, with one abstention to approve the contract with the Mozart Development Group. Mayor Jim Roberts removed himself from City Hall chambers, citing potential conflict of interest.

The deal calls for Mozart to build three office buildings with retail shops at ground level, a luxury hotel and a spacious public plaza at Evelyn and Mathilda Avenues. Mozart will also construct an underground parking garage with a minimum of 320 spaces.

Mozart now has 120 days to apply for permits and land use entitlements that will be reviewed by the Planning Commission. The commission also needs to approve some of Mozart's designs. The City Council will review and vote on the commission's decisions along the way.

Mozart could still pull out if it determines within 120 days that the project is not feasible financially or architecturally .

Parking is one issue that could stall the project.

Citing fears that the area will not have enough nighttime parking, Councilmember Jack Walker suggested the parking garage beneath the office buildings be open to the public after work hours.

Mozart's project manager Steve Dosart said the idea was not feasible, largely because he expected potential office tenants to demand secured 24-hour parking in the garage.

Dosart said if he could not offer secured parking to tenants, it could make it difficult to rent the space.

But Walker, who voted to approve the contract, said evening hours should be open to the public to integrate the downtown area.

"That could be a deal-breaker for me," Walker said, then added, "Bear that in mind."

If everything goes smoothly, construction on the first office building will begin in September 1999 and be completed within 24 months. Construction on the 150-room hotel and two other office buildings will follow shortly after.

The contract also determined the height of the three buildings that some residents called the "Manhattanization" of Sunnyvale.

The two five-story buildings will have up to 69 feet of usable space. The six story building has a height cap of 83 feet. All three buildings will be allowed an additional 20 feet for roof pitch and mechanical equipment.

Many of those who spoke in support of a new downtown noted the economic windfall it is expected to bring to the area.

When completed, city officials expect the area to make $1 million in annual property taxes, increase retail sales by $12 million and provide the city an additional $120,000 in sales tax.

Former mayor Robin Cox made a surprise appearance at City Hall to speak in support of the project. "It has been a while since I've been down here, but I had to come here for downtown," Cox said.

Supporters inside City Hall chambers wore stickers of red hearts which read, "Downtown Sunnyvale."

In the next four months, a community resource team of Sunnyvale citizens will continue to meet with Mozart. At least four resource meetings for Sunnyvale citizens will be held within the 120-day period, according to Mozart spokesperson Jim Baer. The next resource meeting will take place Sept. 2 at the Sunnyvale Elementary School District offices.

Councilmember Stan Kawczynski voted against the contract and Councilmember Julia Miller abstained, after asking for a postponement of the deal.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, August 26, 1998.
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