In recent years, you might have noticed the decline of Bayfair Center, with more and more of its stores closing. Only a few stores remain with Shirtique, Bed Bath & Beyond and even Macy’s closing after 67 years as one of the mall’s more popular stores.
The slow descent of Bayfair’s closure isn’t unique and has been happening to indoor malls across the country.
“By April 2021, the number of small businesses that were open was down by more than 33% from January 2020,” said Jamie Johnson of Business.com.
With Bayfair slowly meeting its end, San Leandro city planners have been working on a project called the Bayfair Transit-Oriented Development. It will transform the mall and surrounding areas into something important and exciting for the community once again.
They created the project in collaboration with Alameda County, BART, Madison Marquette (the owners and operators of Bayfair Center) and the broader community. The project was primarily funded by a grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and contributions from the city of San Leandro, BART and MadisonMarquette.
The Bayfair TOD Specific Plan states that the project has the potential to “transform the regional land use and transportation landscape toward a more sustainable, multimodal and low-carbon design.”
The areas this project will include are Bayfair Center, the Bayfair BART Station, Fairmont Square and Fashion Faire Place shopping areas as well as portions of the Hesperian and East 14th corridors. The Bayfair TOD covers a total of 154 acres, with mostly retail and commercial land uses and a small number of office, light industrial and residential land spaces.
It would reduce traffic congestion with its new roads and connections, reduce the area’s carbon footprint, revitalize urban areas, increase transit ridership and stimulate the local economy. Community members could also live, work and play in the residential and office areas while also having better access to entertainment or recreational services.
