If you’ve been driving in San Leandro then you might have noticed some construction on East 14th and Davis/Callan, where the old CVS used to stand. You might have noticed banners on the fence surrounding it showing what the building would look like in the future. However, you may also notice that it looks like nothing in its vicinity. San Leandro is currently going through a new era with its construction and the Centro Callan Mixed-Use Project is just one of many to bring us into this new era. 

As the name indicates, this mixed-use project will include four stores on its first floor, parking on its second and three more above with apartments. This project will have a grocery store with three other tenants alongside it, a dog play area and parking for residents and daytime overflow.

Many amenities will be available for apartment residents including a courtyard, clubroom, room for fitness/yoga and roof desk. There will be one hundred and ninety-two units in total in this project. Sixty being studios, ninety-four being one bedroom units, thirty-five being two bedroom units and seven being three bedroom units. 

Since Sept. 7, 2023, a project that people may not know is currently underway is the Town Hall Square Project which will be across from the Centro Callan Mixed-Used Project. A Union Bank of America and an empty building currently reside there, but with the Town Hall Square Project, a seven story building will be constructed that provides low income housing.

This new project will also include a courtyard, a fitness center, bike storage, a dog play area and two story parking. In addition, it will also have a co-working space, a shared commercial kitchen, a large lounge, a club room and a roof deck. This project will have ten studios, ninety-seven one bedroom units, sixty-eight two bedroom units and five three bedroom units. 

The property owner will also be encouraged to display public art in the lobby by the San Leandro Board of Zoning Adjustments. 

As impressive as these two projects are, a third project on 899 Alvarado Street, will be built upon what is now just a chainlink fence in front of weeds and dirt. Just over half a mile from Downtown San Leandro, two buildings with five and six floors will be built there with six hundred and eighty-seven units ranging from studios to three bedroom apartments.

Each individual apartment will include energy efficient appliances such as in-unit washer/dryer, dishwashers, ranges and refrigerators. Select apartment homes will also include private balconies. Resident building amenities include a future cafe space, furnished common spaces such as communal cooking and dining areas. As well as a fitness areas, shared working lounge, rooftop gardens, bike lockers, common outdoor courtyards, including bbq areas, lounge areas, play areas and a pool with spa. It would also include an art installation from Oakland-based Shawn HibmaCronan.

The city of San Leandro will be able to taste and witness new and experimental restaurants and new local art at their fingertips with these projects while also providing affordable housing for the Bay Area population.