Comments on: Random Thoughts on a Friday Afternoon

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 03:00:07 +0000

I understand your mixed feelings, Becks. I might guess that our mixed feelings are probably similar. I’m not really a fan of Safeway, in general, though they are a convenient way to get household type things. We do need some large grocery stores around — although, almost exclusively, I patronize local, family-run establishments or farmers markets. There is perhaps a legitimate worry about what effect a Safeway over double its current size might have on local businesses in the area. But the Bay Area is generally pretty mindful of that issue, and I’d hope that the more unique, better quality goods from smaller establishments would still win out in the hearts of shoppers over a larger Safeway.

That said, I’d like to see neighborhood cooperation with Safeway about this. That parking lot and gas station must go, and it would be great to see several new retail storefronts open up.

By: Becks

Becks — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:32:44 +0000

David – I feel the same way. Over the past several months, I’ve begun to understand just how misunderstood public transit and planning are.

I do have some mixed feelings about the Safeway plan but I do think it’s a fair compromise and was happy to see the parking lot so hidden. We also could really use some more retail in that part of Rockridge. A few things I’d like to see in those storefronts: a hardware store (we really need one of those), a bar, a clothing store or shoe store, another restaurant or two.

By: David

David — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 21:46:17 +0000

I feel like I live on a different planet than some of our fellow Oakland residents sometimes. Some of the comments on the AC Transit post at A Better Oakland are one example, and some of the negative reactions to the Safeway plan are another example. Any Safeway is inevitably going to be big and somewhat ugly, but compared to what’s there now it looks like a huge improvement. Yet some people think it’s too obtrusive, apparently because it’s two stories tall and doesn’t have an enormous parking lot in front of it! As I said, I feel as if I live on a different planet, and maybe in a different solar system or a different universe.

By the way, I meant to include a link in my own post to what you’ve written here about living carfree, but it totally slipped my mind. I can understand your reluctance to ride a bike — it is a bit scary, and I’ve come close to getting hit a few times in Oakland. I’m hoping that if we can get more and more people riding bikes, then car drivers will become more alert to our presence, and they will therefore be less likely to hit us. Safety in numbers, in a sense.