Dear Editor,

Something really great is happening in Alameda! A place that will provide jobs, taxes and develop a long vacant land is at long last under construction. I am referring to the development swiftly occurring of the long delayed Alameda Landing. I urge that we all take a look at the amazing completion of the Target store.

However, it is critical that decision makers and all of us consider what the entire development will “feel” like when the rest of the site is built out. One will forget the jobs and the extra tax dollars over the years as we drive by this area and possibly look at huge box stores surrounded by acres of asphalt – which will resemble the “box store complexes” from Anchorage to Atlanta. The box complexes need not be something that look totally alien to Alameda. We deserve something with the boxes arranged imaginatively, designed with creativity and construction materials that are distinctive.

The acres of asphalt are off-putting for starters, I know we have a high water table here but if one half level of parking could be tucked under some (all?) of the boxes it’d be a huge improvement in the monotony of asphalt. And it’d give the developer more land to build on vs. this potential wasteland of six or seven big boxes separated by parking. Heaven forbid, maybe even a centrally located parking garage would be feasible?

Access to the site appears to be quite limited and for pedestrians, cyclists, and community connections would be improved if more connectivity to adjacent uses were provided. Planted walls are being used in many places to disguise functional uses (like loading docks). Additional plans for transit stops, landscaping, street furniture, loading areas, etc. can also provide additional opportunities for creativity.

I know the cry is “we are too far down the road to change!" Well this is the problem with incremental designs. It is hard to appreciate the finished picture when one is offered only opportunities to look at different aspects, and when the entire design is presented it can be a result that no one really understood or appreciated from looking at the pieces. The design does not appear to be final. I appeal to the decision makers - Alameda deserves better than a “suburban anywhere box store complex.”

It will behoove our community to review the draft plans at the Planning Department and let decision makers know your reaction. Remember this center will provide great positive outcomes for our city through the economic benefits but we’ll be looking at this for many years and want to be able to say “YEA,” not “YUCK.”

Sincerely,

Helen Sause
President, HOMES (Housing Opportunities Make Economic Sense)