Mayor Says Chipotle to Open in San Leandro

Mayor Stephen Cassidy and the San Leandro City Council announced last week that Chipotle is planning to open a new location at 1505 East 14th Street, directly across the street from The Village retail center. 

Officials at City Hall expect this to be just the first of many new retailers and service providers coming to Downtown San Leandro as a result of The Village. 

"Before it has even opened, The Village is serving as a catalyst to bring new shopping and dining options to Downtown San Leandro," stated Mayor Cassidy. "San Leandro has many outstanding Mexican restaurants and taquerias. We are excited for Chipotle to bring its style of Mexican cuisine to our downtown."

For several years, Chipotle has been high on the list of businesses that local community residents have expressed interest in seeing open in San Leandro. As a result, the City's Business Development staff has been working closely with Chipotle's representatives to explore opportunities that would bring them to town.

After reviewing multiple real estate options in San Leandro, Chipotle now has plans in place to open at 1505 East 14th Street before the end of 2014. Chipotle's architects are currently working on plans that will preserve and highlight the existing brick façade of the building, which was constructed in 1947.

The Village will be a 25,000 square foot retail center with Peet's Coffee, The Habit Burger, AT&T, and new CVS, as well as a public plaza offering free WiFi. Grading work at the site began in March and the start of construction will be celebrated with an upcoming formal groundbreaking ceremony soon to be announced.  The project is scheduled to open before the end of the year.

In addition to Chipotle and The Village, numerous other recent developments are contributing to the positive energy in downtown San Leandro, including:

• The Downtown San Leandro Community Benefit District, which was approved by area property owners in 2013, has formed a Board of Directors, hired a district manager, and is now receiving revenue. The District will generate almost $350,000 annually to support maintenance, security, marketing, and events in Downtown San Leandro. District services are expected to begin in the next two months.

• The City of San Leandro recently entered into an agreement with Stepping Stones Growth Center to have a team provide cleanup services three days per week in Downtown San Leandro. The agreement runs through the end of 2014 and will supplement maintenance services provided by the City and the Benefit District.
• The popular Downtown San Leandro Farmers' Market, which draws approximately 2,500 patrons each week, has already kicked off the 2014 season. The market takes place every Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. on Parrott Street.
• San Leandro Street Eats continues to bring a rotating variety of gourmet food trucks to the corner of Davis and Hays Streets every Tuesday evening between 5-9 p.m.