Chris Tarantino is a licensed real estate and loan
professional who is active in the Livermore Valley wine country.
His community involvement and credentials include the following:
• Vineyard Owner and wine aficionado • Member of Livermore Winegrowers Association • Alameda County Advisory Committee Member • Masters in Business and Engineering • Member of National Association of Realtors Chris has lived in Livermore for over 20 years and knows the area well. If you are interested in Livermore real estate or wine, give Chris a call! The Chase Realty Group THE TARANTINO REAL ESTATE TEAM |
In the last issue of d’vine magazine,
I wrote about the original and oldest wine region in California, The Livermore
Valley. The article’s focus was on Livermore’s unique plan
that supports real estate growth by promoting viticulture and open space.
If you have recently visited Livermore you will discover that the plan
is working and Livermore is undergoing something unusual, - it’s
getting better and bigger at the same time. To read part I please go to
www.dvineonline.com
Complimenting Livermore’s numerous vineyards, estate homes, and
wineries is a downtown that is undergoing a dramatic revitalization. The
redevelopment plan includes a new outdoor public space, a new hotel, retail
and office space, a parking structure, a conference center, and a 1,500
seat performing arts theater. To create a more pedestrian friendly environment,
the main street (First St.) will be reduced from four lanes, to two. The
lane reduction allows the existing sidewalks to be widened. The bigger
sidewalks will promote more foot traffic and add additional parking. Ground
floor shops and restaurants will line the street, offering delightful
diversions for the curious pedestrian. New restaurants have already broken
ground and are scheduled to open soon.
The exciting news is how the redevelopment of downtown will potentially
benefit the community. In a recent survey of California main streets that
have completed similar projects, the results have been impressive:
• The net number of businesses in the program areas increased 24%
• The net number of jobs increased 31%
• Retail sales increased 105%
• Commercial property values increased 167%
• Storefront vacancy rates declined 76%
• Retail and office rental rates increased 65% and 71%, respectively
Livermore is truly a unique place. The many wineries, golf courses, and vineyards provide an abundance of outdoor activities. The new downtown will offer a central meeting place for dining, entertainment, visiting and most of all, a great place to end the day and begin the night. Livermore’s current residents already know that it is a great place to live. They have enjoyed the benefits of the past and look forward to the rewards of the future.