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The Mountain View Chamber of Commerce launched its first “Morning with the Mayor” breakfast on Friday, an event featuring industry leaders who discussed food, housing and health care with the business community.
The event, held at the Hyatt Centric Hotel on March 28, has evolved out of the city’s annual update, according to Peter Katz, Mountain View Chamber of Commerce CEO and president. This year, the discussion focused on topics that were top of mind for the business community.
Mountain View Mayor Ellen Kamei kicked off the event with an update on the city’s economic vitality strategy, drawing attention to local and regional events, like the World Cup and Super Bowl coming to the Bay Area.
“We are starting to have different discussions regionally and with other mayors, talking about how people will get around for those events, and how we can bring more into Mountain View,” Kamei said.
When it came to local concerns, Kamei briefly focused on downtown vacancies, retail theft and the introduction of a “one-stop” permitting process to make it easier for businesses to get the permits they need to open.
“We’re listening and we’re responding to your business community needs,” Kamei said.
Kamei also referenced uncertainties at the federal level, but noted that she planned to keep the discussion focused on positive developments. “I’m excited about the possibilities locally,” Kamei said to a large gathering of community leaders.
The event was lighthearted, as local officials mingled with the business community over breakfast before listening to Kamei’s speech and a panel session featuring both small and large businesses that have seen a lot of changes since the pandemic.
Mike D’Ambrosio, co-owner of Giorgio’s Italian Grill and Pizzeria (formerly Frankie, Johnnie and Luigi Too!), reopened his restaurant last year after a massive remodel. The kitchen is now fully -electric, with the exception of the pizza oven, D’Ambrosio said.
But it is not just the technology that is different. A novel part of the rebuild is its connection to Villa Toscana, a memory care facility at 939 W. El Camino Real.
About 10 years ago, D’Ambrosio and his partner started considering new uses for the property to maximize its utility. They settled on redeveloping a part of the site as a memory care facility, with D’Ambrosio noting there was a big need for it in Mountain View.
Another panelist, Chris DeHaan, vice president of development for Sares Regis Group Northern California, discussed the recent opening of the Avelle Apartments, a mixed-use development at 1001 N. Shoreline Blvd. that has more than 200 homes, including 30 below-market-rate units. So far, tenants have signed 110 leases in 100 days since the building opened, DeHaan said.
DeHaan also said that he was optimistic that more homes would be built in Mountain View, despite the possibility of high interest rates and tariffs that could impact the price of materials. Staying flexible was key, DeHaan said, adding that he was pleased to hear the city was looking into the possibility of reducing some fees.
Tracey Lewis Taylor, chief operating officer at El Camino Health, rounded out the panel, describing several developments that it plans to roll out soon. One is a program for diabetes screening and the other is a healthy cooking challenge, she said.
Closing out the session, Peter Katz thanked the attendees and said he looks forward to coming together again next year.
“That was kickass,” he said.
