Introduction and Mission

Hi,  Welcome to the blog for Concerned Neighbors of College Avenue Safeway!  Our hope is that this site will provide a public forum for those individuals who share our concerns that the proposed expansion for the College Avenue Safeway in Oakland will irrevocably and negatively impact our beloved Rockridge and Elmwood Neighborhoods.  

Concerned Neighbors' mission is as follows:

1. Voice the neighborhood's concerns with the design intent of the new store.
2. Promote instead a major renovation of the existing 23, 000 sq. ft. store 
3. Retain the ambiance, character, and scale of our pedestrian-friendly neighborhood.
4. Retain the Shop Local opportunities we enjoy with our independent merchants.
5. Protect our neighborhood from increased traffic, noise, and other large-store pollution.
   
6. Insure compliance with the spirit and intent of the C-31 zoning, which was uniquely created for Rockridge and College Ave.
   

The latest proposal from Safeway included a 76,000 sq. ft, two-story structure whose facade would run 400 ft along College Ave with no set-backs and parking for 200+ cars.  Their design and entire aesthetic is suited to a suburban strip mall, not our urban, pedestrian-focused neighborhood.  Their objective to draw more customers to the site will only result in heavily congested streets and increased health, noise, and safety concerns, not to mention the destruction of our unique and intimate shopping district.  WE ARE COMMITTED TO PREVENTING THIS FROM HAPPENING.

We will use this site not only as a gathering of thoughts and ideas, but also a resource for news, updates, and contacts.   We welcome your ideas and energy, plan to keep you informed, and look forward to delivering our message to Safeway and the city of Oakland with you!