Opposition seeks to repeal Crossing Hotel deal: San Bruno officials disapprove of union initiative, could go to ballot

Should the petition be verified by City Clerk Carol Bonner, councilmembers will have until August to repeal their approval of building the hotel near the intersection of Interstate 380 and El Camino Real, or the opportunity to overturn the decision will be brought before voters in the fall election.

Despite the opposition, city officials remain staunch in their support for the project, under the belief that the hotel is the highest and best use for the 1.5 acres of land located adjacent to Jack’s Restaurant, near The Shops at Tanforan.

“The city continues to believe first and foremost the hotel is a good deal for the community,” said City Manager Connie Jackson.

Under the terms of the sale approved by the council Tuesday, March 29, OTO Development, a private hotel builder from South Carolina, agreed to acquire the land from the city for nearly $4 million, and build a select service hotel comprised of 152 rooms, as well as community gathering space.

Local 2 has long opposed the project, due to the reluctance of OTO Development to negotiate with labor unions.

Laurel Fish, a spokeswoman for Local 2, said she believes the amount of signatures collected speaks to the San Bruno community’s support for the concerns of organized labor.

“This is a really clear statement the people are really in opposition to the hotel,” said Fish.

Local 2’s fear is that without the willingness of OTO Development officials to negotiate and hire union labor, said Fish, poor and unstable jobs will be generated at the hotel, which would be a disservice to residents.

OTO Development’s response to the concerns expressed by the union, and supporters, have been underwhelming, said Fish, which has compelled advocates to spearhead the initiative.

“It’s a slap in the face after so many people have said that it is important thing for the community,” she said.

Jackson though said she believes OTO Development will adhere to state rules regarding fair labor laws, and many of the jobs offered through the construction and operation of the hotel will ultimately result in opportunities competitive with the prevailing wage and benefits offered by unions.

Jackson added should the initiative to repeal the deal be successful, ultimately none of the perks offered by the deal will be passed along to the San Bruno community.

“We find that would be a very unwelcome outcome,” she said. “We see that in nobody’s best interest.”

Officials are obligated to construct the hotel under the passage of Measure N, which was approved by voters in 2001 boosting allowable development heights near The Shops at Tanforan, claimed Jackson.

The hotel, should it be constructed, is projected to generate roughly $1 million in hotel occupancy tax for the city annually, according to Jackson.

“We are 100 percent in support of the project and we believe this is a good deal and in the best interest of the San Bruno community,” she said.

Opponents though believe the property could also be used for a different purpose, such as hosting a shopping center, which would offer sales tax revenue to the city, according to Fish.

Ultimately, Darryl Mero, a San Bruno resident and labor advocate, said he believed the unwillingness of OTO Development to negotiate with organized labor stands in opposition with the values of the community, which is why the deal should be repealed and another purpose for the property needs to be identified.

“They don’t give a damn about a living wage for those people, and that is all we are asking for,” he said.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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