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Alameda County Fairgrounds The Alameda County Fair originated in 1859 with its racetrack dating to 1858, constructed by the sons of Spaniard Don Augustin Bernal. The first modern-day County Fair was held in 1939, and has been held annually with the exception of the war years. Other events held throughout the year at the fairgrounds are produced by outside promoters, including the Scottish games, the Goodguys Rod & Custom Car Show, RV and boat shows and the Harvest Festival. Events at the fairgrounds attract over 3 million visitors to Pleasanton annually, including over 400,000 for the annual Alameda County Fair. Other facilities at the fairgrounds include ten buildings, with over 131,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space, picnic facilities accommodating 50 to 5,000 guests, professional onsite catering, racetrack, off-track betting facility, nine golf course and driving range, 267 acres of landscaped grounds and parking for 12,000 vehicles including boat and RV storage and camping with recreational vehicle hook-ups. In 2003 the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Division of Fairs and Expositions engaged the firm of KPMG LLP to measure the annual economic and social impacts of the Alameda County Fair. This study found that in 2002, the fairgrounds contributed nearly $195.7 million in economic impact to Alameda County, created 1,854 local jobs and generated about $3.2 million in local (primarily City of Pleasanton and Alameda County) tax revenues. The fairgrounds is completely self-supporting, and receives no funding from local or state tax revenue. According to Association staff, the fairgrounds has a close working relationship with the local hotels including the Crown Plaza and Marriott Courtyards, and the Pleasanton Downtown Association. Currently, Association staff is studying the feasibility of developing a new 100,000 square foot exhibition building within the next two years. Expanded exhibition space would allow for the expansion of existing events and allow the fairgrounds to attract larger shows and consumer festivals. Downtown Pleasanton Downtown Pleasanton runs along Main Street from Bernal Avenue to Stanley Boulevard. The pedestrian-friendly, tree-lined streets include parks, historic buildings, specialty shops and service businesses, fine dining and coffee shops. According to the 2002 Downtown Specific Plan, total downtown employment is approximately 2,250 in 490 establishments including a mix of retail, service, office and institutional (City of Pleasanton) uses. There are approximately 850,000 square feet of existing commerciaVoffice uses including 425,000 in office/institutional uses (including the City of Pleasanton), 340,000 of retail and restaurant uses, 35,000 of services uses and the 25,000 square foot Rose Hotel. Rents have increased as demand strengthens; currently, asking rents for ground floor space are approximately $3 per square foot. Office condos are asking $525 to $575 per square foot. The majority of the Pleasanton Economic Development Background Report FINAL - January 2006 41