Council Corner: Status of Projects Affecting Foster City

By Foster City Vice Mayor Art Kiesel

During these economic challenging times, good news is often difficult to find. Although I am not identifying any “quick fixes” to our global economic woes, I am however presenting an update on a couple of key issues that affect Foster City and its residents now and well into the future. Foster City’s economic future is heading in the right direction in spite of the economic troubles being endured by our neighboring cities.

GILEAD
Last week I was pleased to participate in shoveling some ceremonial dirt at the ground breaking of a new laboratory building on the Gilead Sciences campus. The multi-storied $140 million laboratory building will be about 192,000 square feet. The building is expected to be ready for occupancy in late 2013 and will support about 270 scientific personnel of this world class biopharmaceutical organization. The addition of this building is part of Gilead’s multi-year plan to expand its 600,000 square foot building complex to a campus of about 1.2 million square feet and solidify its presence in Foster City. 

Gilead was founded in Foster City in 1987 and has grown to become a Fortune 500 Company with 2010 annual revenues eclipsing $8 billion.

Along with several of the Senior Executives from Gilead, I was able to join U.S Congresswoman Jackie Speier, State Senator Leland Yee, State Assemblyman Jerry Hill, and our own Mayor Linda Koelling in the ceremonial ground breaking ceremony. I believe that the attendance of these political leaders demonstrates the importance of these types of projects particularly in these sluggish economic times.

15-ACRES
Last Monday, October 17, the City Council selected Foster City Community Partners (FCCP) to enter into exclusive negations with Foster City to develop the 15-acre site. The site will have senior housing along with a form of Town Square that will contain about 40,000 square feet of retail space. City staff will begin a 60-day negotiating period to develop business terms. The result of these negations are tentatively scheduled for presentation at the January 3, 2012 City Council meeting for approval. As has been noted several times before, this project is expected to bring an ongoing source of revenue and add vibrancy to the central part of our City. 

It should also be noted that there will be several steps in process before renderings and final drawings will be available. An Environmental Impact Study will need to be done. The appearance, layout, and elevations will go through the planning process where the Planning Commission will be conducting several study sessions that will include public input followed by a recommendation to the City Council. Please be advised that the planning process will take some time to complete so there will be plenty of opportunities for public comment. 

PILGRIM-TRITON
The Pilgrim-Triton project continues making progress as expected. If you drive by the area on a periodic basis, you will be able to observe the progress first hand. By way of reminder, included in the first phase of the project are 300-plus apartment units sitting on top of 17,000 square feet of commercial space. The buildings will range in height from 4 to 5 stories and include a parking garage sitting at the rear of the site adjacent to SR 92. 

The Master Plan for the Pilgrim-Triton project calls for a park approximating the center and the phase currently under construction includes building about 2/3rds of the park. The park will be open to public access and include a bocce ball court, a child play area, picnic tables, arbor-covered seating, open lawns, fountains, and public gardens.

FLOOD INSURANCE
Good News for Foster City residents. The threat of Foster City residents having to obtain flood insurance appears to be over. Foster City has received notification from San Mateo that the East End Levee is complete and we are now “fully flood protected”. Paving the bike path should be near completion when this article is published. I am sure that there will need to be a FEMA approval and certification process which should take its normal course. A big thank you goes to San Mateo officials and its residents for stepping up and addressing this all important issue affecting residents from both Foster City and San Mateo.

I would appreciate your comments on this and other issues by emailing me at akiesel@fostercity.org.