Reso 2001-021 RDA 2001-003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

1983 J~ ~a I® ' ~ ,ppo mid r ,,, ' ~ .. -~~. -~ fir.: ~' - ~~ ~~ :~ n ~_w: n ~; 3 The 1970's were difficult ones for downtown San Leandro. There was a general population decline. Many of those who stayed were older residents who tended to live in the downtown area. This meant that the downtown remained a place to live, however, as a place to shop, it was struggling. Un- able to compete with malls outside of the city, and with no money being injected by new development, downtown San Leandro, like many down- towns across the country, lost economic and civic vitality. In the 1970s and 80s, significant changes occurred in downtown San Leandro. In the late 70s, a BART station opened near downtown, once again linking San Leandro by light rail to the East Bay and, this time San Francisco, too. This positive development laid the groundwork for renewed long-term economic health in San Leandro. The second major change downtwown was the implementation of a plan intended to bring people back for shopping. The idea was to create new larger shops and stores with plenty of free parking, following a trend occur- ring throughout the country for the previous fifteen years. CASE STUDY: Evolution of the historic plaza over three decades. The plaza, c. 193:0 Original platia design innclzrded ~`.4 ~ stately palm trees. Firze-grained F ' ; is _ retail shops face a playa that is ~ fit; t. ~~ animated with activity and is the t~ ± ~ foc'zrs of downtown, easily accessible v ~ to pedestriarzs. y~r ~.,P~_ .-_ _1 _v.,.o 1a.~4 F__.-i. ~,~~i wow' $~~ ~ V w The plaza, c. 1945 Palm trees removed, fountain added. Annzral color planting at `"° center arzd fozzrztain indicate a high "°~~ degree of rnainterzance. East 14th _ Street is two lanes azrith parking. _ Note fine-grain and detailing of ~~~~ storefronts. ~, we ~._.-: page 32 October 2000 San Leandro Downtown Plan & Urban Design Guidelines