City finalizes purchase of church property -

This vacant parcel is one of the last significant unimproved parcels in the Clayton Town Center. The city has long held an interest in the commercial or mixed use development of the site.

The city council authorized funds in our Downtown Economic Development Project Account, other capital project savings and earned interest to pay cash for the property. While the use of these one-time funds will certainly limit the city’s ability to finance other future capital improvement projects or downtown economic development enhancements until the property is resold, the purchase of the property now allows the city to control and manage its land use and development.

At a minimum, the land purchase provides the city with diversity in our investment portfolio, since land often offers better returns than interest earning on our various other CDs and cash deposits in the Local Agency Investment Fund. And, we have already had inquiries from potential developers about future commercial development.

The Clayton Town Center Specific Plan outlines four goals for our downtown area:

The establishment of “an attractive and vibrant pedestrian-friendly Town Center with a mixture of commercial, civic, recreational and residential uses.”
“Maintain and enhance retail and restaurant uses in the Town Center in order to…support the city’s financial ability to provide adequate services to local residents and businesses.”
“Establish the Town Center as the city’s focus for economic development….”
“Preserve historical resources in the Town Center” by encouraging “the renovation and re-use of long-term vacant or under-utilized buildings…and parcels.”

The Clayton Community Church continues to maintain its offices in the former Pioneer Inn building while also marketing that land for sale. Combined, the two parcels offer a unique opportunity to revitalize our Town Center. Send me an email describing specific businesses you want to see in our downtown.

I want to thank all our city staff, Pastor Shawn Robinson and the entire Clayton Community Church team for their patience, commitment and attention to detail in completing this transaction. We all said many times during the negotiations that we should celebrate when we got it all done. So, now it’s time for the ice cream with sprinkles!

Merry month of May

May is a busy month in our downtown. This Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. is opening day of our wonderful Pacific Coast Farmer’s Market. The Clayton Valley Garden Club will be holding its annual Plant Sale in the Endeavor Hall parking lot that morning too. The Clayton Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to noon, as well. And from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday evening is our first Concert in The Grove with the Sun Kings, the premier Beatles tribute band. Chairs can be put out at 4 p.m. And don’t forget the Clayton Gardens Tour on May 18 and 19. I hope to see you everywhere.

As always, you can contact me by email at JPierce@ci.clayton.ca.us. Let me know what you think!

I am very pleased to announce the city completed the purchase of the vacant 1.66 acre parcel of land behind the Clayton Community Church offices on Main Street for the amount of $1 million. The sale was officially recorded April 24, successfully concluding months of amicable negotiations which began last June.
This vacant parcel is one of the last significant unimproved parcels in the Clayton Town Center. The city has long held an interest in the commercial or mixed use development of the site.
The city council authorized funds in our Downtown Economic Development Project Account, other capital project savings and earned interest to pay cash for the property. While the use of these one-time funds will certainly limit the city’s ability to finance other future capital improvement projects or downtown economic development enhancements until the property is resold, the purchase of the property now allows the city to control and manage its land use and development.
At a minimum, the land purchase provides the city with diversity in our investment portfolio, since land often offers better returns than interest earning on our various other CDs and cash deposits in the Local Agency Investment Fund. And, we have already had inquiries from potential developers about future commercial development.
The Clayton Town Center Specific Plan outlines four goals for our downtown area:
• The establishment of “an attractive and vibrant pedestrian-friendly Town Center with a mixture of commercial, civic, recreational and residential uses.”
• “Maintain and enhance retail and restaurant uses in the Town Center in order to…support the city’s financial ability to provide adequate services to local residents and businesses.”
• “Establish the Town Center as the city’s focus for economic development….”
• “Preserve historical resources in the Town Center” by encouraging “the renovation and re-use of long-term vacant or under-utilized buildings…and parcels.”
The Clayton Community Church continues to maintain its offices in the former Pioneer Inn building while also marketing that land for sale. Combined, the two parcels offer a unique opportunity to revitalize our Town Center. Send me an email describing specific businesses you want to see in our downtown.
I want to thank all our city staff, Pastor Shawn Robinson and the entire Clayton Community Church team for their patience, commitment and attention to detail in completing this transaction. We all said many times during the negotiations that we should celebrate when we got it all done. So, now it’s time for the ice cream with sprinkles!
Merry month of May
May is a busy month in our downtown. This Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. is opening day of our wonderful Pacific Coast Farmer’s Market. The Clayton Valley Garden Club will be holding its annual Plant Sale in the Endeavor Hall parking lot that morning too. The Clayton Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to noon, as well. And from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday evening is our first Concert in The Grove with the Sun Kings, the premier Beatles tribute band. Chairs can be put out at 4 p.m. And don’t forget the Clayton Gardens Tour on May 18 and 19. I hope to see you everywhere.

As always, you can contact me by email at JPierce@ci.clayton.ca.us. Let me know what you think!