Long-Anticipated Groundbreaking at Blue Rock in Hayward July 13; Ceremony to Include Dedication of Hayward's First School in 40 Years, Tour of Environmentally-Sound Development

Business Wire, July 8, 2004

WHO:    Roberta Cooper: Mayor of Hayward
        Members of the Hayward City Council
        Jesus Armas: Hayward City Manager
        Janis Duran: Superintendent of Hayward Unified School District
        Hayward School Board Members
        Carol Severin: Secretary of the Board and Ward 3 Director,
         East Bay Regional Park District
        Don Perata: State Senate Majority Leader
        Hayward 1900, Inc.: Blue Rock Developer
        Hayward Unites for the Future (HUFF)

WHAT:   After conclusion of a long legal battle determined Blue Rock
        represents an investment in protecting both threatened species
        and Hayward's school children, the city of Hayward, its school
        district and community will join Blue Rock's developer,
        Hayward 1900, Inc., in breaking ground on the future site of
        614 new homes, a 650-pupil public elementary school, a golf
        course, public park and more than 1,000 acres of open space.

WHEN:   Tuesday, July 13, 2004
        10 a.m.

WHERE:  Blue Rock: The Intersection of Hayward Boulevard and Fairview
        Avenue Hayward, CA

Blue Rock, located in the hills of Hayward, California, owns more than 1,600 acres of land. Nearly 75% of the owner's land will be preserved as open space and managed habitat for the area's threatened, though not endangered, species: the Alameda whipsnake and California red-legged frog. Development is limited to 400 acres, while 1,000 acres are dedicated to the East Bay Regional Park District for regional open space, and an additional 200 acres of land is set aside for the protection of endangered wildlife. Blue Rock also includes the creation of Hayward's first new public school in 40 years -- an elementary school for 650 students with a gymnasium and two soccer fields. The new school will be paid for by the developer with a contribution of $8.5 million from the state of California.