Project
Nearly 70 residents attended a March 14 Town Hall on affordable housing in Rockridge. Experts discussed financing mechanisms, land costs ($11M/acre in Rockridge/Temescal), and the feasibility of building affordable units at large sites like The Ridge. Splitting The Ridge into a market-rate and a fully affordable component was highlighted as the most feasible approach.
Site group: Rockridge Shopping Center / The Ridge site
Broadway and Pleasant Valley Road
Safeway called a community meeting for September 11 to discuss upgrading and potentially rebuilding the Rockridge Shopping Center Safeway. Safeway, as master developer, is considering major changes to site plan, architecture, and retail mix. The Longs Drugs lease runs out in 2011.
At a packed September community meeting, Safeway revealed it plans to build a new store from the ground up on the Longs Drugs site. Safeway is acting as master developer for most of the shopping center. Community strongly opposed Safeway taking over the Longs site and the possible gas station.
Safeway's commercial real estate division unveiled plans to demolish and rebuild the Rockridge Shopping Center, including an enlarged Safeway store and Long's Drugs, at open houses held June 23 and 25. The proposal would add a second story on most single-story buildings and add buildings along Pleasant Valley. Community reaction was mixed. A Planning Commission scoping hearing was tentatively scheduled for July 15.
Safeway proposed dramatic remodeling of the aging Rockridge Shopping Center, increasing size by 110,000 sq ft with mostly two-story structures and extensive surface and underground parking. A Planning Commission scoping hearing for the EIR drew unified community opposition from RCPC, FANS, STAND, ULTRA, and PANIL.
Following the scathing July hearing, Safeway is doing major revisions to its project plans while EIR preparation proceeds. A revised proposal will likely appear as a project alternative in the EIR. Draft EIR release expected possibly early spring 2010.
Breaking news: Oakland will require an EIR for the College Avenue Safeway project. A Planning Commission EIR scoping hearing is set for November 18. Safeway may be revising plans for the Rockridge Shopping Center but appears ready to move forward with a 50,000 sq ft store plus 11,000 sq ft of small shops.
Safeway is also proposing a separate expansion of the Rockridge Shopping Center to 65,000 sq ft for the grocery store, with an overall 110,000 sq ft expansion of the center from one to two stories.
Safeway proposes to remodel and significantly expand the Rockridge Shopping Center at Broadway and Pleasant Valley Road. Initial plans were presented to the Planning Commission and community and were badly received. Safeway is revising its plans.
Safeway is presenting revised plans for the Rockridge Shopping Center expansion at its June meeting, with an area-wide July presentation planned. Plans have been substantially revised after being rejected by community and Planning Commission.
Safeway presents significantly revised and larger plans at July Town Hall: 120,000 sq ft addition to existing 185,000 sq ft center, including new 65,000 sq ft Safeway replacing existing 50,000 sq ft store, demolition of CVS, a new 3-story building at the Chase Bank corner, rooftop parking, and internal streets. Community reaction is more favorable than to original plans but still critical.
At the July Town Hall, Safeway CEO David Zylstra presented plans to add about 120,000 sq ft to the existing 185,000 sq ft center, including a new 65,000 sq ft Safeway replacing the existing 50,000 sq ft store, and demolishing CVS. Audience was more receptive than to the original proposal but still found problems.
Plans released and available on RCPC website. Safeway continuing to modify plans in response to public comments. One new proposal is adding an AC Transit bus station within the project site, though AC Transit staff were initially unreceptive. EIR in preparation.
Land Use Committee discussed design issues including monolithic College Avenue frontage, problematic four-lane garage entrance/exit on College Avenue, second-floor café at College and Claremont, and lack of public space. Planning Commission design review committee hearing scheduled. EIR in preparation expected released in spring 2011.
Planning Commission design review committee public hearing scheduled December 8. RCPC working with four other community groups (FANS, STAND, ULTRA, PANIL) to present an alternative community proposal. Groups designing alternative to meet Safeway's phasing requirements while creating better urban integration. EIR in preparation, expected released spring 2011.
December 8 design review hearing was cancelled by Safeway at the last minute and rescheduled to January 26. Four community alternative plans posted on RCPC website. January RCPC Town Hall dedicated to presenting community alternatives. EIR still in preparation, expected released spring 2011.
Safeway proposes to totally rebuild the 15-acre Rockridge Shopping Center at Broadway and Pleasant Valley Ave. Four alternative proposals were presented. The Planning Commission Design Review Committee voted 2-1 to approve Safeway's plans; EIR was still being prepared and expected for public review in February/March.
Follow-up on the Planning Commission Design Review 2-1 vote approving Safeway's plans. RCPC expressed hope of convincing the full commission to improve plans, especially for the project's crucial second phase. EIR in preparation and due to be released that spring.
DEIR for the Rockridge Shopping Center project expected out in May, per planner Darin Ranelletti. Safeway update listed as a Town Hall agenda item.
DEIR now delayed from May to June. Safeway extended the CVS lease through December. RCPC continuing to push for a better project. Both Safeway DEIRs were agenda items at the May Town Hall.
Safeway's second major project: reconstruction of the Rockridge Shopping Center at Broadway and Pleasant Valley Avenues, which would add approximately 120,000 square feet. A Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) was expected to be released in July 2011.
Brief update noting the Rockridge Shopping Center DEIR remained pending, referenced in the Land Use/Zoning column alongside the College Ave Safeway project.
The DEIR for the Rockridge Shopping Center reconstruction was expected in late September or October 2011. The project would add approximately 120,000 square feet plus structured parking.
The DEIR for the Rockridge Shopping Center was delayed until late October. The project would add 119,000 square feet plus structured parking. RCPC's editorial stated it supports the site for major transit-oriented development but opposes the current design.
A proposal to substantially rebuild and expand the Rockridge Shopping Center (distinct from the College Avenue Safeway), mentioned in the Land Use Update as a concurrent project under review. A Draft EIR was being prepared.
A Draft EIR was being prepared for the proposed rebuild and expansion of the Rockridge Shopping Center. No public comment period had opened yet.
The DEIR for the Rockridge Shopping Center rebuild was still being prepared. RCPC discussed principles for what the project should address.
The RCPC board of directors adopted the Land Use Committee's recommendations on ten issues that Safeway needs to address in its proposal for the rebuild and 120,000 sq ft expansion of the Rockridge Shopping Center. The DEIR was still being prepared.
Safeway, the master tenant, has put forward a 292,000 sq ft rebuild/expansion proposal for the Rockridge Shopping Center. The Draft EIR release has been pushed back again and is now expected in late summer or fall. The CVS lease has been extended to end of 2012.
Safeway's shopping center division expects to submit revised plans for the major expansion very shortly. RCPC, in cooperation with other North Oakland neighborhood groups, has submitted to Safeway a list of 10 issues it hopes the revised plans will address. The Draft EIR is expected to be published sometime in summer.
Safeway's revised plans for the major retail center expansion are expected to be submitted shortly. RCPC has received no response from Safeway to its list of 10 issues. The Draft EIR will likely be published later in summer.
Update is listed as an agenda item for the July 18 Land Use Committee meeting. No new details reported in this issue beyond noting it remains on the agenda.
Safeway submitted revised drawings for the Rockridge Shopping Center rebuilding project at Broadway and Pleasant Valley; the city's consultant was still preparing the draft EIR; RCPC urged Safeway to make the project more urban and transit-friendly.
Brief mention in Land Use Committee notes that the Rockridge Shopping Center rebuilding project was ongoing; the draft EIR was still being prepared.
The draft EIR for the Rockridge Shopping Center rebuilding project (adding roughly 120,000 sq ft of retail and office space) was expected in November; RCPC was advocating for sustainability improvements including solar panels and hoped for community-serving tenants.
The draft EIR expected in December or January; RCPC land use committee advocating for solar panels above rooftop parking and electric car charging spaces; new District 1 Councilmember Dan Kalb expressed interest in making the corner a shining example of development.
Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) released December 26, 2012 for Safeway's proposed rebuild/expansion of the Rockridge Shopping Center. The DEIR identifies several significant and unavoidable traffic impacts, notably at Broadway/Pleasant Valley and Pleasant Valley/Howe Street intersections. Planning Commission held a public hearing February 20 to receive oral comments.
Detailed DEIR analysis continues. Project proposes to replace the current Rockridge Shopping Center with an expanded center: larger Safeway store (65,000 sq ft), more commercial retail space and professional offices, but no residential. Total usable space increases by about 120,000 sq ft. Major traffic impacts identified at multiple intersections. RCPC continues to advocate for AC Transit bus station integration and residential component.
DEIR comment period closed; city and consultants preparing responses. RCPC, Piedmont Avenue, and Temescal groups met with Councilmember Kalb and project planner. Key outstanding issues: Safeway's master lease prohibits residential use on site (Kalb promised to try to arrange meeting with property owner); cut-through traffic impacts on residential streets. Final EIR expected early summer; Planning Commission consideration of approval perhaps as early as June.
A brief reference in Stuart Flashman's profile to the Rockridge Shopping Center Broadway/Pleasant Valley project as a big-box concern, with the EIR under review.
Safeway's second Rockridge project to rebuild and enlarge the Rockridge Shopping Center at Broadway and Pleasant Valley Avenue, adding about 120,000 sq. ft. with a larger 65,000 sq. ft. Safeway; EIR not yet complete.
The Rockridge Shopping Center EIR is not complete; expected in September with Planning Commission hearing to follow. Discussion of whether residential development on the site is feasible.
The Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the Rockridge Shopping Center redevelopment is due early September, with the Planning Commission hearing expected late September.
After a two-hour public hearing on September 25, the Oakland Planning Commission unanimously approved Safeway's plans for rebuilding the Rockridge Shopping Center. The project will replace all current buildings and add 120,000 sq. ft. to the center's present 185,000 sq. ft., significantly changing circulation patterns. A last-minute agreement with neighborhood groups addressed most community concerns.
After Planning Commission approval, a previously-unknown group has filed a lawsuit against Safeway to block the Rockridge Shopping Center project; the group's nature and motive remain unclear. The lawsuit is expected to be dismissed soon as the group failed to appeal to the City Council.
The previously-filed lawsuit against the Rockridge Shopping Center project is expected to be dismissed within a month or two due to failure to exhaust administrative remedies. Demolition and construction may then begin.
Lawsuit challenging the Rockridge Shopping Center rebuild was dismissed and construction plans are moving forward. Safeway plans to close and demolish the CVS store (and adjacent shops) early summer, with Phase I construction — new Safeway, nursery, Chase Bank building, and Boston Market — beginning later in summer.
Project proceeding; retail space in the new complex described as largely spoken for, though the retail building will likely not be completed and open until late 2014 at the earliest. Construction plans moving forward after lawsuit dismissal.
TopDog hot dog restaurant at Rockridge Center to close June 15 in anticipation of the shopping center's redesign. Other favorite shopping destinations also expected to close as part of the redevelopment.
Rebuild of the Rockridge Shopping Center, including a new Safeway. All buildings in the first construction phase including the CVS have been vacated; demolition is about to begin. Pre-construction traffic measurements have been taken.
Demolition of the Rockridge Shopping Center begins in November; construction of the new Safeway to start shortly thereafter.
Construction is set to begin next month with the teardown of the CVS store building. Jamba Juice and Starbucks have already moved to the AAA building across the parking lot because their buildings will also be demolished. The new Safeway construction may start as early as January. Separately, demolition in preparation for the new Merrill Gardens senior housing project across Broadway from the shopping center should also be starting shortly.
The large empty lot at Broadway and Pleasant Valley (originally planned as Phase Two of Safeway shopping center) is the subject of an ongoing community vision process after Home Depot withdrew its proposal. RCPC is hosting a January 25 town hall to begin visioning the site, with a focus on housing.
The Ridge site is referenced in a letter to the editor as one of three key opportunity sites for affordable housing. The writer argues that together CCA, BART, and The Ridge could yield hundreds of units of moderate-income housing if trust-based financing is used.
RCPC held a highly-attended online town hall on January 25 to begin community visioning for The Ridge site. Eighty-three attendees participated in breakout groups discussing housing types, affordability, retail, parking, height, and density. Affordable housing dominated the discussion. A follow-up Town Hall on housing economics is scheduled for March 14.
Nearly 70 residents attended a March 14 Town Hall on affordable housing in Rockridge. Experts discussed financing mechanisms, land costs ($11M/acre in Rockridge/Temescal), and the feasibility of building affordable units at large sites like The Ridge. Splitting The Ridge into a market-rate and a fully affordable component was highlighted as the most feasible approach.
“Safeway real estate manager Todd Paradis told approximately 80 people that Safeway plans to build a new store "from the ground up" on the site now occupied by Longs Drugs at the Rockridge Shopping Center, Broadway and Pleasant Valley Avenue.”2007_10 - Article by Cy Gulassa, RCPC boardmember, October issue
“Paradis also said Safeway might build a discount gas station at the site, an idea many people at the meeting opposed.”2007_10 - Article by Cy Gulassa, RCPC boardmember, October issue
“The current shopping center, dating back to the 1960s, includes about 185,500 sq. ft. of space, including Safeway, a Long's Drugs, and a Chase bank (formerly Washington Mutual Bank). Safeway's proposed rebuild would add about another 110,000 sq. ft. of commercial space to the complex, putting a second story on most of the site's single-story buildings and adding buildings along the Pleasant Valley frontage.”2009_07 - Rockridge Center Proposal: Safeway, July 2009
“The project would contain a total of approximately 304,000 square feet of commercial space and 1,000 parking spaces. Also proposed are modifications to adjacent streets including additional vehicle travel lanes and/or turn lanes.”2009_07 - From the City's posted project notice, July 2009
“The community's reaction at the June 23 open house was decidedly mixed. While many welcomed the expansion of the retail space, some complained that the proposal was still too auto-oriented and not pedestrian or bicycle-friendly.”2009_07 - Rockridge Center Proposal: Safeway, July 2009