Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council authorizes first reading of 3-year lease for restaurant at historic Alameda Theatre
Summary
The council voted unanimously to authorize the interim city manager to execute a 36‑month lease (with one 36‑month renewal option) for a restaurant suite in the Alameda Theatre complex to Playhouse LLC (doing business as Director's Cut / Project Burger); staff said rent will start at about $5,865 per month and the lease is estimated to generate over $200,000 in the first three years.
The Alameda City Council on March 3 approved the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the interim city manager to execute a lease for a restaurant suite at the historic Alameda Theatre complex.
Annie Cox, management analyst for the Base Reuse and Economic Development department, said the proposed lease covers an approximately 1,850-square-foot suite at 2319 Central Avenue, a space that has been used as a restaurant since 2007. "The suite is approximately 1,850 square feet ... The proposed lease is a 36-month initial term with a 36-month renewal option," Cox said. Staff described a monthly rent of $5,865 (about $3.17 per square foot) with annual 3% increases and said the lease would bring more than $200,000 in base lease revenues over the first three years.
Cox said the current tenant remains in good standing, recently invested in facade and interior improvements, and owns installed kitchen equipment. The lease requires the tenant to pay a proportional share of utilities, taxes and fees; the city’s broker reported Project Burger was the only offer received during the 2025 marketing period.
A public commenter raised questions about modeling and tax-abatement assumptions. Council members praised the department’s work with the local business and said maintaining occupancy in the historic theatre supports the downtown shopping district.
Vice Mayor moved the approval and Councilwoman Jensen seconded; the council voted unanimously to introduce the ordinance for the first reading. The item will return for a second reading as required by city procedure before the lease can be executed.
