The proposed expansion of the Safeway at the intersection of College and Claremont avenues has a passionate base of support and an equally passionate opposition. Though opponents raise valid concerns, the specific details of the expansion show that the benefits outweigh the costs to the neighborhood and city.
One of the chief concerns is the increase in traffic at the already congested intersection where the Safeway is located. However, this alone is not a sufficient concern to prevent any development — much of Berkeley and Oakland is already congested, and thus such an argument could be used virtually anywhere in the city.
The congestion concerns inadequately address the fact that the area is already served by the 51B bus line, providing an efficient and economic means of travel to and from the Safeway. By utilizing public transportation to a greater extent, students and residents can work to minimize congestion.
Furthermore, the expansion will most likely act as an economic stimulant: According to an economic benefits document prepared by Safeway, the remodelled store is expected to bring in $400,000 in annual revenue for the city of Oakland and the opening of 78 new positions.
A larger store will inevitably bring more consumers to the area, not just to Safeway. Opponents argue that the larger grocery store will run surrounding stores out of business, but such a conclusion is not necessarily true. The expansion is not so large as to absorb the surrounding businesses, and this is not a plan to build a new grocery store. It is, however, a plan to improve on an existing one — as such, we doubt the expansion will cause much additional harm to local businesses.
Aside from its economic benefits, the expansion of Safeway means more cheap groceries for cash-strapped students and city residents looking to save on necessary household items. A larger, more consumer-friendly grocery store will appeal to students, lead to more savings and makeaffordable groceries more accessible to the general public.
The expansion will help students and residents alike. While the project ignited a healthy public debate, after both sides have made their case, we feel the project should go forward.
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I am amazed at the inaccuracies in your written article. Safeway is not just expanding the 21,500 sq. ft. store that partially covers the 1.2 acre parcel. Safeway plans to demolish the existing store and build a shopping center with a handful of street side commercial spaces, a partially underground parking lot and a 2nd level with a Safeway as large as the one at 51st and Broadway: 50,000 sq. ft. This new shopping mall/maul will completely cover the site from sidewalk to sidewalk. Safeway has neglected the College Ave. store for decades. The neighborhood wants a new Safeway-A NEIGHBORHOOD SCALED SAFEWAY, not a REGIONAL SAFEWAY. There already is a REGIONAL Safeway only 1.2 miles away at 51st and Broadway that is scheduled for a huge expansion. The College Ave. Safeway has already bought out the small Chimes Pharmacy, and pre-empted the lease renewal of a corner coffee shop. The University students shopping at the College Ave. Safeway will have to put up with grid lock traffic as they sit on the 51 bus, and endure highly unsafe biking conditions. And as far as economic benefits–aren’t you even slightly skeptical of a document prepared by Safeway in support of their argument? I suggest you do a little research.
It’s not going to make people shop at Safeway who wouldn’t normally. And thanks to poor city planning by both Berkeley and Oakland, that entire triangle is a nightmare due to lights at Alcatraz and Claremont that are not in sync with each other, and the utter pig stupidity of motorists who insist on coming down College and turning left into the Safeway lot rather than coming down Claremont and turning right into it.
And frankly, even as things stand now nobody has any business biking down College Ave, especially in that area. There’s no reason cyclists shouldn’t be taking Hillegass or Colby instead (speaking of doing a little research…)–so that argument is completely unimpressive.
I’m sad to see Chimes Pharmacy go, too, but the owners weren’t getting any younger, and presumably they were offered a reasonable price. And I can’t speak to exactly how Safeway meddled with A Cuppa Tea’s lease, but presumably you can enlighten us–and while you’re at it, please detail how exactly preventing the Safeway expansion will ameliorate the chronic traffic problems and the increasing mortality rate of small businesses. I’m all ears.
Finally, to echo a poster on another thread : if only you NIMBY types would become obsessed with getting some results out of the OPD regarding crime prevention! But then, I suppose you probably never go south of Temescal or east of MLK, so you won’t give a shit about that.
“taking Hillegass or Colby instead”
In fact, I think the official bike lane is on Benvenue, but it’s seldom used. Why do people insist on biking where the danger is highest?
Intransigence, or stupidity–or both.
…and I meant, of course, *west* of MLK.
Please don’t say you speak for the Neighborhood. You are only speaking as yourself. I am part of the Neighborhood and I want this expansion. This project will provide a huge infusion of jobs and tax dollars to the local economy. People that come here will stop and shop at the other local stores. This is a great project and needs to be started as soon as possible.
For students living near campus, the Safeway on Shattuck Avenue is probably more convenient.
Not if they live in Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Jackson House, the frat houses…
Practically every time I drive by the corner of College and Alcatraz, there are at least a couple of students with Safeway bags waiting for the 51.