Sidewalk repair revisions, Project Burger lease
Alameda City Council’s March 3 meeting will focus on revisions to the City’s sidewalk repair ordinance and a proposed lease renewal for the Project Burger cafe in the Historic Alameda Theatre Complex. The updated sidewalk ordinance aims to clarify sidewalk repair responsibilities while protecting property owners through hardship assistance and payment options.
[1]Revised sidewalk ordinance
City Council will consider amending the Alameda Municipal Code to revise sidewalk repair procedures. Following a January 6 public hearing [2], Council directed staff to retain the City’s ability to perform required sidewalk repairs under voluntary agreements with property owners, provide financial hardship assistance and payment plans, and rely on the City’s newly adopted collections policy for delinquent accounts rather than placing special assessments on properties.
Under the revised ordinance, if property owners fail to respond to multiple repair notices, the City may complete repairs to address hazardous conditions, reduce liability, and prevent injury, and then invoice the owner for the costs. Delinquent accounts would proceed through the City’s formal collections process.
The pilot sidewalk repair program, launched in February 2025, will continue, and staff will return in one year to report on program metrics, lessons learned, and recommendations for long-term continuation. The ordinance aims to clarify procedures, promote transparency, and support safe, walkable infrastructure.
Project Burger lease
City Council will consider authorizing a new 36-month lease, with one optional 36-month extension, with Play House, LLC (doing business as Director’s Cut/Project Burger) for approximately 1,850 square feet of restaurant space at 2319 Central Avenue in the Historic Alameda Theatre Complex.
Project Burger has operated in the space since 2018. After its prior lease expired in October 2025, the tenant continued under a short-term license while the City competitively marketed the space. Only one Letter of Intent was received—from the current tenant—and staff negotiated a new lease. The proposed lease would begin May 1, 2026.
Staff reviewed the tenant’s financials and found the business in good standing. Over 36 months, the lease is projected to generate $211,673 in base rent supporting the Commercial Revitalization Fund.
How to participate
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 3, at 7 p.m. at the City Council Chambers, located on the third floor of City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue.
Members of the public are welcome to participate in person or via Zoom. They may comment on the Non-Agenda, Consent Calendar, and Regular Agenda portions of the Meeting Agenda [3] (link downloads document).
The Non-Agenda portion of the meeting provides an opportunity for members of the public to address the Council regarding any matter not on the agenda over which the Council has jurisdiction. The Consent Calendar is intended for routine items and is approved by a single motion. The Regular Agenda is the central portion of the meeting, where each issue receives a presentation and time for Council discussion and public comment.
Complete this online form [4] to request reasonable accommodation.
Click here [5] for Zoom registration. The Zoom phone number for telephone participants is 669-900-9128; the Meeting ID is 817 1065 8925.
Information to assist with remote participation is available online in the Public Comment and City Council Meeting Guide [6]. The meeting can also be viewed on the City of Alameda’s Facebook page [7]. Note that comments posted there are not monitored.
For each issue, public speakers will have three minutes to speak if fewer than five are speaking, or two minutes if five or more are speaking.
Community members may also email Council Members [8] on issues of interest before meetings.
Contributing writer Karin K. Jensen covers boards and commissions for the Alameda Post [9]. Contact her via [email protected] [10]. Her writing is collected at https://linktr.ee/karinkjensen [11] and https://alamedapost.com/Karin-K-Jensen [12].