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Amid all of the doom-and-gloom stories about the economy and California’s failed government, it is exciting to hear about a city in which changes are happening — all well-planned, and all for the good.
The Real Story is talking this week with Marc Grisham, City Manager of Pittsburg, in eastern Contra Costa County. Pittsburg’s story is an interesting one, in which the city has charted a course for redevelopment without distancing itself from its past. The heavy industry that gave Pittsburg its name still provides jobs for many families who have been residents for four or even five generations. But the city is also very forward looking, actively recruiting business from as far away as China to bring more focus on creating prosperity for future generations as well.
Marc talks today about plans for the redevelopment of the Old Town area, bringing in compatible businesses to support growth and provide a reason for people to spend time there. The choreography of placing a bank, restaurants, a brew pub, local book seller demonstrates that the city is willing to act like a master developer. In fact, when Marc talks about the City buying a stalled mixed-use real estate project and turning it around, he sounds more entrepreneurial than governmental. His conversation is all about the possibilities — not the limitations — of what the city can do in effecting its own transformation.
April 19th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
My message is to the city Manager Marc Grisham,
Keep up the great ideas & leadership for my home town. We (my Pitt High Class of 1988) expect great strides in the progress for the next few years, especially regarding the development of the downtown. Though Pittsburg has limited waterfront Property left to develop, it still has great potential. A lot of us Facebookies have been wondering if you’ll be putting a nice small scale Veranda style Restaurant/Wine bar next to a finished California Theatre.
The new Mecca & marina Plaza will be nice,And I hope the old Cigar store will keep some of its historic charm.
Thanks Mike Baz
April 19th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
I have lived in some wonderful cities with a lot of insight. I know what works & what doesn’t work. PIttsburg downtown needs things like: a family type restaurant with good home-cooking( Al’s snack shop or something like that would have been great). Restaurants like The Carvery( in San Leandro, San Jose, Redwood City,Livermore) in Antioch( Harry’s Hofbrau)or Buca de Beppo- a family style Italian Restaurant( in S. F, Campell, San Jose etc) These type of restaurants are always packed- wonderful menu’s. ( Perhaps you could visit them- awesome food- very affordable). A brew pub will not go in Pittsburg. It will flop. You have the White Elks Club, The Black Elks Club & The Yacht Club with cheaper drinks. Whose going to go to a brew pub? YOu need a lot of Yuppies like in Campbell, S. F. Pittsburg folks do not go to brew pubs. As far as a book store, nothing will go unless it is something no one has like half-priced books in Concord( everyone goes there). Pittsburg is also a “take-out” food place. There is no take-out on the old-town side of the freeway- nothing!!!. Also keep in mind we have a lot of boaters, cruise-in’s from the Yacht Club that want to walk to places that have a great breakfast & a regular lunch that has burgers, sandwiches, salads, soups. ( 615 is too expensive & the service is not good). A lot of people cruise into places like Petaluma as they have a lot of things boaters like to do. A lot of fisherman would like a really early breakfast & a lunch to go. Many of them would come to a place like that. Many type foods that other people enjoy are not on this side of the freeway.
Examples: Any kind of Asian or a mixture, American, A steak place. A fast food like In & Out Burger, A Donut Shop, McDonalds, etc.
Think: What’s near the Marina, what kind of people live there? Boaters? Pittsburg Yacht Club Cruise-ins. Bakeries/Ice Cream Shops.
Make the rent affordable. I know that the Pet Store that was in town went under as you put too many stipulations on her & the rent was toooo high.
Have a small gift shop where people cruising in can visit, people can get cards, last minute gifts, etc.
Have a consignment clothing shop. Women love to browse that type of thing.
Also start using common sense to promote things. In the Summer, when you have the car shows, Have some food booths. People coming home from work would stop by. They are hungry. Food attracts people!!! Many times I’ve gone home instead of stopping by as we are hungry, but we would have stopped if we could have bought a hot-dog, hamburger or some type of food.
Also at the farmers market- not enough food. Have someone who makes coffee/lattes/mocha’s/ bagels with cream cheese, pastries, egg mcmuffins, etc. More people would come. Have the rib man every week. Have hot-dogs, hamburgers, sub-sandwiches, etc.
YOu need more food at these functions!!!
Thank you for letting me give my input.