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COM may build retail center
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| Photo by Privette Woodlands Market sits near College of Marin’s Kentfield campus. |
By Kelly Dunleavy
Marinscope Newspapers
College of Marin is considering a plan that would bring a thriving retail center, with anchors such as a drugstore or hardware store and office space, to the Kentfield campus. The proposal would put these stores along College Avenue in the space currently occupied by a parking lot behind Woodlands Market.
The plan, which may bring in up to $500,000 in lease revenue, is being considered in light of current budget shortfalls the college is experiencing.
“What strategies can we explore that could enhance our revenue potential and take advantage of the assets that we have?” asked board of trustees President Phil Kranenburg.
In August, Public Private Ventures, a consultant firm focusing on long-term revenue streams for California community colleges, completed a feasibility study that was presented to the board of trustees.
Jim Goodell, president of Public Private Ventures, said that initially the group looked at incorporating possible revenue opportunities into the Gateway Complex, a separate building proposed near the College Avenue and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard intersection that would serve as an entrance to the College of Marin campus. However, Goodell, said they quickly realized that location, while suitable for a campus entrance, would be too far from parking to serve well as a retail center.
The group then looked into developing the parking lot along College Avenue.
“The uses that would be compatible were retail and some professional offices,” said Goodell.
After extensive engineering studies and planning, Goodell said the board was presented with a plan that was supported by the market and the community.
“Here’s a plan that works,” said Goodell.
The feasibility study outlines a proposal for one or two anchor stores, office space on a second floor and smaller shops or quick-service food on the first floor. The proposal would also create improvements to the parking lots, walkways and streets in the area, creating a new entryway.
Along with providing possible revenue for the college, the study points to the revitalization of College Avenue as an advantage to the retail plan.
“It’s a little bit sleepy,” said Kranenburg. “Can it become more vibrant?”
But board trustee Barbara Dolan said she didn’t think the area needs to be more vibrant nor is it the college’s job to provide a retail center.
“We need to be on guard,” said Dolan, who thinks the board needs to focus instead on the educational aspects of the college. “We’re elected to support the educational concerns of Marin County.”
Dolan is also concerned that taking away the College Avenue parking lot would make it harder for students, particularly older adults, to make their way to classes. In addition, in order to mitigate environmental and flooding concerns connected with building in the parking lot, the land behind the tennis courts would be deliberately flooded as a controlled retention area, said Dolan, which would cut down even more on possible parking.
Though Goodell said his company has finished its work, Kranenburg said the board is waiting for a public outreach effort to be completed and a recommendation to be made before going forward with the proposal.
“We need to see if this is a fit,” said Kranenburg, who expects the board to take action by the end of the year or early next year.
College of Marin is currently undergoing extensive construction as part of a modernization effort funded by the Measure C bond passed in 2004. Voters approved up to a $250 million bond to fund facilities at the college.
Kranenburg said once that effort got underway the board was able to turn its attention to this retail proposal that had been on the back burner as a way to provide more revenue to the school.
Dolan said, though, that with all the different construction projects the board isn’t fully aware of the implications of this specific proposal, nor has it been given all the facts.
“I don’t think the board fully understands,” said Dolan.
Contact Kelly Dunleavy at kdunleavy@marinscope.com.
The plan, which may bring in up to $500,000 in lease revenue, is being considered in light of current budget shortfalls the college is experiencing.
“What strategies can we explore that could enhance our revenue potential and take advantage of the assets that we have?” asked board of trustees President Phil Kranenburg.
In August, Public Private Ventures, a consultant firm focusing on long-term revenue streams for California community colleges, completed a feasibility study that was presented to the board of trustees.
Jim Goodell, president of Public Private Ventures, said that initially the group looked at incorporating possible revenue opportunities into the Gateway Complex, a separate building proposed near the College Avenue and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard intersection that would serve as an entrance to the College of Marin campus. However, Goodell, said they quickly realized that location, while suitable for a campus entrance, would be too far from parking to serve well as a retail center.
The group then looked into developing the parking lot along College Avenue.
“The uses that would be compatible were retail and some professional offices,” said Goodell.
After extensive engineering studies and planning, Goodell said the board was presented with a plan that was supported by the market and the community.
“Here’s a plan that works,” said Goodell.
The feasibility study outlines a proposal for one or two anchor stores, office space on a second floor and smaller shops or quick-service food on the first floor. The proposal would also create improvements to the parking lots, walkways and streets in the area, creating a new entryway.
Along with providing possible revenue for the college, the study points to the revitalization of College Avenue as an advantage to the retail plan.
“It’s a little bit sleepy,” said Kranenburg. “Can it become more vibrant?”
But board trustee Barbara Dolan said she didn’t think the area needs to be more vibrant nor is it the college’s job to provide a retail center.
“We need to be on guard,” said Dolan, who thinks the board needs to focus instead on the educational aspects of the college. “We’re elected to support the educational concerns of Marin County.”
Dolan is also concerned that taking away the College Avenue parking lot would make it harder for students, particularly older adults, to make their way to classes. In addition, in order to mitigate environmental and flooding concerns connected with building in the parking lot, the land behind the tennis courts would be deliberately flooded as a controlled retention area, said Dolan, which would cut down even more on possible parking.
Though Goodell said his company has finished its work, Kranenburg said the board is waiting for a public outreach effort to be completed and a recommendation to be made before going forward with the proposal.
“We need to see if this is a fit,” said Kranenburg, who expects the board to take action by the end of the year or early next year.
College of Marin is currently undergoing extensive construction as part of a modernization effort funded by the Measure C bond passed in 2004. Voters approved up to a $250 million bond to fund facilities at the college.
Kranenburg said once that effort got underway the board was able to turn its attention to this retail proposal that had been on the back burner as a way to provide more revenue to the school.
Dolan said, though, that with all the different construction projects the board isn’t fully aware of the implications of this specific proposal, nor has it been given all the facts.
“I don’t think the board fully understands,” said Dolan.
Contact Kelly Dunleavy at kdunleavy@marinscope.com.
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