I want to put it out there that I am a big fan of mixed use development. I look around at commercial business districts, like Webster Street here in Alameda or Bancroft & Dutton in San Leandro, I see oodles of wasted space above each business establishment.
Places like Bayfair Center, San Leandro Plaza and Alameda Town Center should have condo units above housing thousands of people.
It drives me crazy that in someplaces "they roll up the sidewalks" after some of the shops close at 5pm. How cool would it be if people actually lived directly above these places and were there all the time.
Could you imagine waking up in the morning, getting ready for work and taking the elevator down to the street or plaza level and walking to a bakery, coffee shop or diner for breakfast.
Getting to work would be a matter of hopping on the public transport.
Coming home you can stop by the cinema, have a dinner at a nice restaurant and taking the elevator back up to your condo.
Imagine, adding a level of business offices above the retail and below the condos. Wow, you could, if you wanted to live close to work.
