Swalwell's Shamrock

Hello Friends and Residents of Dublin! My name is Eric Swalwell and I am a Dublin City Council Member. I was raised in Dublin and graduated from  and  and am a former student of Mayor Tim Sbranti.

I attended the University of Maryland, where I received my undergraduate and law degrees. I currently work as a deputy district attorney for Alameda County and have served on the city planning and heritage and cultural arts commissions. 

It is my pleasure to write to you on the first occasion of my Quarterly Swalwell's Shamrock Newsletter via a blog on Dublin Patch. I hope you enjoy it and find it to be informative, useful and entertaining.  As always, I will continue to provide updates on Dublin Doings via my Facebook posts, as well.  Please tell me what you think of my blog, and most importantly, what Dublin and regional issues are most important to you.

• Economic Development Initiatives

I am proud to report that the Downtown Specific Plan has been
finalized! Dublin now has a plan to bring a downtown to Dublin. I
worked on this plan as a planning commissioner and recommended it be a
plan that encourages development that is pedestrian-friendly, promotes
mixed-use and reflects our values. Today, unlike ever before, we are
on a path to giving Dublin the downtown it deserves. Click here to learn more about
the Downtown Specific Plan.

• Connecting Dublin to the Tri-Valley Wine Region

With over 50 wineries in the Tri-Valley area, it is time for Dublin to join and compliment the region. Dublin is in the process of finalizing its budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Please let me know your thoughts on how Dublin can compliment the region. This is an opportunity to make Dublin a destination point, increase property values of homes in town, and stimulate the local economy. Contact me at eric.swalwell@dublin.ca.gov to share your ideas on how Dublin can
compliment the wine region.

• East Bay League Representative

As part of my council duties, I am the city's representative to the East Bay League of Cities, an organization representing Alameda and Contra Costa County municipalities.  Right now, we are focused primarily on Redevelopment money and Governor Brown's stated intent to deny such funding to cities.  Stay tuned as we learn more on the State Budget and how it will affect Dublin. Click here to learn more about the League's efforts to save Redevelopment.

• Dublin Recreation - Farmer's Market is Returning to Dublin!

Starting Thursday, May 12th and continuing every Thursday through October 20th, the city will host a Farmer's Market at Emerald Glen Park, starting at 6p.m.  The City has partnered with the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association (PCFMA) to operate the Market. In addition to offering fresh, California-grown produce, the Market will also feature weekly special events, such as a concert series, wine
tastings, local entertainment, and children’s games and activities.
Click here to read more about the market. 

• Second Festival In the Works

In 2010 the city suspended the Day on the Glen Festival, the companion festival to the St. Patrick's Day Festival.  Day on the Glen was never envisioned to be an annual event and was experiencing a decline in attendance and enthusiasm. However, the People of Dublin have been heard: we want a second festival!  The good news is that at press time, the Council is working with city staff to have a second, fall festival at Emerald Glen Park, with the goal of having it as early as Fall 2012.  Stay tuned!

• Sports Round Up

Summer is coming! Be sure to check out the City of Dublin's Summer Activity Guide. Myself, I'll be playing on a weekly co-ed softball team at the new Fallon Sports Park. Depending on how rusty I am, I may ask the City to move the fences in! 

• City/Regional Happenings - 

After years of back and forth negotiations between Camp Parks and SunCal, an agreement has been struck that will provide SunCal with 180 acres of land and base improvements for Camp Parks.  SunCal plans to build Dublin Crossings, a community that will connect the western and eastern parts of town.  The community will feature residential housing, a hotel, retail center, and an approximately 25-30 acre Central Park.  I look forward to working with SunCal to make sure this
exciting opportunity reflects the community we all call home. 

• West Dublin Bart Station is Open

In Mid-February, BART opened Dublin's second station, West Dublin/Pleasanton. This station will service residents in the West, reduce traffic along I-580 and ignite economic development in Dublin's downtown area.  It was an honor to attend the grand opening of the station and it's a great way to get to an A's or Giant's game this
summer!

• Spotlight On

The Alameda County Fire Department. In March, I was invited by theACFD to take place in it's weekend Fire-Ops 101 at the San Leandro Training Tower. I spent a day as a fireman, going through the same training the brave men and women of our department experience. Needless to say, it was a thrilling experience. I gained new
appreciation for the hard-work put in and training endured by the heroes of our fire department to keep us safe. Thank you to the department, Local 55 and Chief Sheldon Gilbert for giving me this opportunity.

• Be On the Lookout For:

* Five Guys Burgers: An East Coast-based burger chain has landed in
Dublin. Opened April 10.

* Cellar 9- Scheduled to open in a few weeks

* Johnny Garlic's: Restaurant from The Food Network's Guy Fieri.  Set
to open around June 1.

* Census figures will be coming out over next several months. Feel
free to contact me with any questions you may have.  This may affect
state/county funding the city receives.