HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-02-21 Planning Commission Meeting - 180 ECR Safeway - Agenda Item 2 Public Comment #2 - WT Mitchell Letter 12.1.21
PO Box 5127, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 USA | 925-708-2949 | www.wtmitchellgroup.com
December 1, 2021
Via email: [email protected]
Planning Commission
City of South San Francisco
315 Maple Ave.
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Re: Mixed Use Development at 180 El Camino Real, P21-0056: UP21-0012, DR21-0025,
TDM21-0007, & PM21-0002, new Safeway Grocery Store.
Dear Commissioners,
I have spent the last 30+ years in the commercial real estate business successfully developing more than
50 ground up projects anchored by the nation’s largest retailers. Over the past 14 years I have been
involved in various roles trying to help the family that owns 180 El Camino Real to redevelop the
property. The family has recently agreed to sell the property to SteelWave the applicant for the
abovementioned project. It is my opinion that the project and development team behind it is far
superior to any of the prior projects proposed for the property.
As you know past attempts to redevelop this property have failed for various reasons but most
importantly because San Francisco Peninsula development is very difficult. Availability of union labor
at times is scarce. Competition with FaceBook, Google, Apple and other major development projects
makes it difficult to attract quality contractors at reasonable pricing. This type of development is best
suited for experienced well capitalized institutional developers. The family, although financially very
capable, is not an institutional developer. In my opinion SteelWave has all of the in-house technical
capabilities, access to capital and a track record of successful San Francisco area developments needed
to make the project before you this evening a success.
I urge you to approve the project. Redevelopment of this property is long overdue. This new Safeway
store will be a flagship for the entire Safeway chain and a great asset to the citizens of South San
Francisco.
Respectfully,
WT Mitchell Group, Inc.
B Mitchell
Bill Mitchell
President