Fremont officials believe they finally have a project to be proud of in Centerville.

Fremont City Council, convening as the redevelopment agency board, unanimously approved a resolution executing a revised right to negotiate agreement with Blake Hunt Ventures Inc. and BRE Properties Inc. to build a mixed-use retail and residential project on the Centerville Unified Site.

The council originally authorized the negotiation agreement last November with Blake Hunt Ventures of Danville to develop a grocery store-anchored retail and restaurant project.

Soon afterward, Blake Hunt determined the site would not support a grocery store and the original negotiation agreement was scrapped. The council then directed Fremont Redevelopment Agency to work with Blake Hunt to identify a feasible market-driven plan.

Blake Hunt eventually modified its site plan and brought residential development firm BRE Properties of San Francisco to help with the project.

The new project now includes about 35,000 square feet of rental retail space along Fremont Boulevard, with as many as 300 residential rental apartments and live-work units.

Residential units would wrap around two parking structures along a new private street between Post Street and Fremont Boulevard.

Developers say they would not build the units to just condominium standards, but rather "first class apartment standards." This includes laminated counters and floors, and electric appliances.

In addition, there would not be individual water heaters in each unit as each building would have a centralized boiler system.

The new private street between Post Street and Fremont Boulevard would be pedestrian-friendly and align with the entry to commercial use on the east side of Post Street, near Dale Hardware.

On Sept. 23, a community meeting was held at Centerville Presbyterian Church, and Brad Blake of Blake Hunt said community feedback was positive, despite the loss of a grocery store anchor.

However, one resident complained that the city waited far too long for a Centerville Unified project, and it should use the money set aside for the project on something else now.

"I see no need at this time to adopt a resolution, except to do nothing," Jay Waste said. "This has become nothing more than a political talking point. Some of you may not be around after the November election when this is finally developed."

Waste added that the project will be similar to New York City tenements, and said they don't belong in an historic district like Centerville.

Waste added construction costs will eventually decline and building materials will be more affordable in the future, and it would be better for the city to save its money for worthwhile projects.

In response, Blake said the project will not be the tenements Waste envisions. But he added the project's evolution is really up to the agency board.

Blake said his company's hope is that 500 people will come to the area to live and use the new retail, making the project a catalyst for the community.

"At some point someone has to say, ÔWe like it and let's move forward,'" he said. "Or someone has to say, ÔWe don't like it and let's stop this right now.' We've been working on this for a year and we're not interested in waiting around another three or four years.

"If you don't like it, that's fine," he added. "We'll go away and we won't bother you any more."

The council asserted that the community did like it and agreed it would be a catalyst for the area.

"I got feedback from the community meeting you held and was surprised at the amount of support you've received," Mayor Bob Wasserman said. "I think a lot of people thought this could be bad for Centerville. We have to make the most of this and I think this may be the most."

Councilwoman Anu Natarajan said her only concern was that all the units were apartments, adding she would like to see some variation in living units.

Natarajan also suggested the need for a public parking garage for visitors.

"We've gone around with this over and over, and I don't think this is a project we're settling for," she said. "This will be a catalyst and I think we'll get more retail as it comes in and if it's needed. I'm looking forward to seeing more details."

Blake Hunt Ventures and BRE Properties are expected to submit project details to the city by February.