Monday, March 16th the Pittsburg City Council approved terms and conditions for an agreement with the chamber to sublease about 2,900 square feet of commercial space in the Entrata building, located at the northeast corner of 10th Street and Railroad Avenue.  Relocating to Entrata will give the chamber higher visibility, City Manager Marc Grisham said before the council's unanimous vote.

"It's a very nice entrance statement at 10th and Railroad, and should be a positive because it moves the chamber out of a building with a lot of problems," Grisham said. Council approval gives Grisham the authorization to negotiate and prepare an agreement with the chamber.  Though roughly the same size as the current space at 485 Railroad Ave., the new location would include access to an outdoor plaza for chamber functions and a conference room. The building, which opened in December 2007, is located at the entrance of Old Town Pittsburg, and includes offices for the city's community access department. The city is in negotiations with another potential tenant for the remainder of the building's commercial space.

Pittsburg has had some trouble enticing retail businesses to Entrata because it is farther away from the heart of the commercial area, Grisham said, adding there's been more interest in office space and the chamber would fit well.  The building the chamber is in now could be a potential draw for future commercial business, he said.  About 10 members of the chamber and its executive board attended the meeting, and appeared pleased following the council's decision.  Once the lease

is signed, the chamber hopes to move into the new space in September after the Pittsburg Seafood Festival, which marks the end of its busiest time of year.