Concord City Council Selects Master Developer for Base Reuse Project
Exclusive Negotiating Agreement Approved.
CONCORD, CA (Oct. 27, 2021) — The Concord City Council sitting as the Local Reuse Authority has approved the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with Concord First Partners, LLC. This makes the group the new master developer for Concord’s Base Reuse Project.
In a unanimous vote just after midnight this Wednesday morning, the Council approved the agreement. It lays out the terms and timeframes that the parties will abide by in this process as they work toward developing the project’s specific plan.
“The City of Concord has been working for 15 years to bring jobs and affordable housing to Concord through the development of this land,” said Mayor Tim McGallian. “It’s an exciting project that holds a lot of promise for our region.”
Following two hours of public comment, the Council directed City staff to finalize the agreement with the Concord First team. This development group comprises Discovery Builders, Lewis Concord Member, LLC and California Capital and Investment Group.
A surprising selection
The surprising and controversial selection of Concord First Partners in a 3-2 Council vote on Aug. 21 stemmed from the long litigious history of Discovery Builders and its founding Seeno family and their related companies. Many of the disputes have been between Seeno companies and environmental groups such as Save Mount Diablo. SMD was vocal before the Council vote and subsequent to it regarding their displeasure with the selection.
In the next phase of the development process, Concord First Partners will prepare conceptual land and financial plans to support the proposed “term sheet.” This document establishes procedures and standards for the negotiation and drafting of a comprehensive proposed Disposition and Development Agreement. The City Council/Local Reuse Authority is expected to consider these plans in a public meeting in the spring of 2022.
Documents from the Oct. 26 meeting can be found on the City’s website.