On March 3, City Council unanimously adopted an amendment to the City’s sidewalk repair ordinance, formalizing a program that allows the City to complete repairs on behalf of property owners while offering financial assistance and payment plans and replacing property liens with a standard collections process.
Council also approved a new lease with Playhouse LLC, operator of Director’s Cut/Project Burger, to continue operating the restaurant space at the historic Alameda Theatre complex on Central Avenue, a lease expected to generate more than $200,000 in revenue over the first three years while supporting downtown activity.
[1]Updated sidewalk ordinance
Public Works Director Erin Smith outlined a proposed amendment to Alameda’s Municipal Code governing sidewalk repairs. The program operates with three components:
- Temporary repairs performed by the City to quickly eliminate tripping hazards.
- Repairs due to damage caused by street trees, which the City performs.
- Repairs due to damage not caused by street trees, which remain the responsibility of the adjacent property owner.
A pilot program launched in February 2025 allows the City to perform repairs on behalf of property owners, then invoice those owners. The program includes financial assistance and payment plans, reducing barriers to completing repairs. Smith reported that more than 70% of notified property owners choose to have the City complete the work.
The ordinance also authorizes the City to enforce repairs if property owners do not respond or fail to complete required work. In such cases, the City completes the repair to address public safety risks, then moves to recover costs. However, in response to the Council’s direction at its January 6 meeting, the revised ordinance removes the option of placing a special assessment on a property owner for unpaid repair costs. Instead, delinquent accounts will rely on the City’s new collections process [3].
The ordinance will return for a second reading on March 17, with an effective date 30 days later. Council unanimously approved the amendment.
New Project Burger lease
Administrative Management Analyst Annie Cox presented a recommendation that City Council authorize a lease with Playhouse LLC, doing business as Director’s Cut/Project Burger, for the restaurant suite at 2319 Central Avenue in the historic Alameda Theatre complex. The space has operated as a restaurant since 2007. Staff noted that the tenant purchased the business in 2018, invested more than $60,000 in improvements, and remains in good standing. The lease is expected to generate over $200,000 in revenue in the first three years while maintaining an active restaurant in the downtown district. Council unanimously approved.
Contributing writer Karin K. Jensen covers boards and commissions for the Alameda Post [4]. Contact her via [email protected] [5]. Her writing is collected at https://linktr.ee/karinkjensen [6] and https://alamedapost.com/Karin-K-Jensen [7].