The shortage of tech workers remains a vexing problem for employers. CBRE’s Scoring Tech Talent report analyzes labor market conditions for tech workers in 50 U.S. and Canadian cities and helps employers and investors better understand tech talent supply and demand dynamics. SPUR members joined CBRE Research Team, Colin Yasukochi and Lexi Russell to discuss how these growth patterns are impacting cities and real estate from the…

Members joined David Waal, Principal Alliance for Revitalized Communities, LLC , in conversation to learn how Alliance for Revitalized Communities has creatively addressed building single-family housing — for less. We also covered political and building department challenges, as well as achieving a less expensive building option with higher end results, including zero-net energy homes with no monthly utility bills.

Since the dissolution of redevelopment agencies, California cities have struggled to find a substitute for tax increment financing to fund needed infrastructure and affordable housing. In that void, cities had to get creative. SPUR members and Mark Sawicki, director of the City of Oakland Department of Economics and Workforce Development, gathered in an Oakland Problem Solvers session to get creative ideas about where else to look…

Members joined Senator Jim Beall as he discussed his instrumental work in passing is the SB1 transportation package, which increases road maintenance funding by $5 billion annually. Senator Beall has left his mark on Silicon Valley over three decades of public service as a San Jose city councilman, Santa Clara County supervisor, and state assembly member. As the chairman of the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee…

As change comes to Oakland, community members are asking how planning decisions get made and what role there is for the public in shaping the future of the city. How can Oakland’s Planning and Building Department better engage and mobilize the community in planning processes? SPUR members and Darin Ranelletti, interim director of the City of Oakland Planning and Building Department, gathered in an Oakland…

Members joined SJSU President Mary Papazian as she shared her plans to expand the university's physical, intellectual and cultural footprint. An 832-bed residence hall opened last year, and a 161,000-square-foot science and innovation complex will break ground in spring 2018. She discussed the plans next up: development and renovation of SJSU’s south campus athletic facilities and a potential expansion of housing and other development opportunities surrounding the main campus. Thank you to…

Members joined Sam Veltri , project manager at SunCal , and Chris Hall, from Hart Howerton, in conversation to learn about the housing and community project lined up for Oakland's Oak Knoll neighborhood. Once the legendary home of the Naval Hospital Oakland, Oak Knoll will house more than 900 families within one of the Bay Area’s most significant master-planned community opportunities.

Phil Matier and Andy Ross joined us yet again for their annual update on all things political in San Francisco and beyond. How are the results of the recent elections being played out across the Bay Area? What big political forces would shape 2017? Business members joined us to engage in great conversation complete with a question and answer with our guest speakers.

In the coming years, the City of Oakland will be expecting more development, which means its Planning and Building Department will need to process more permits, more quickly. Darin Ranelletti, the interim director of the City of Oakland Planning and Building Department, joined SPUR in this Oakland Problem Solvers session. Members of SPUR helped brainstorm ways to improve the city's development permitting process.

As BART looks to emphasize transit-oriented development around its stations, the agency is starting to take on a bigger and bigger role in shaping our built environment. BART managers came to SPUR members to seek expert insights to help guide them with this growth. Members proposed ideas to help the agency think about ways to become a better developer. BART Managers: + Val Menotti / Chief Planning…