My Big Fat Bay Farm Wish List

Traffic and Bay Farm Island (a.k.a Harbor Bay Isle) have become synonymous.

Those of us who live here have to fight our way through it to get to Alameda's Main Island to access goods and services.  Those living on the Main Island blame us for clogging up streets on the East End.

It would be fabulous if there was a free or low-cost shuttle running from Bay Farm to the Main Island and back every 10 minutes (instead of paying $4.70 for a round-trip and having a 25 minute lag between AC Transit buses that now exists).  But, until something miraculous like that happens our options for getting on and off of Bay Farm are limited.

Yes, we walk, ride bikes, use the bus that is available and take crazy driving routes headed in the opposite direction to avoid the Island Drive/Doolittle log-jam. But, let's face it.  Most of the time there are just too many of us trying to get to the Main Island via car using the same streets. 

We head there because shopping options have decreased with the steady decline of the Harbor Bay Landing Shopping Center. We are captives of only two stores - C.V.S. and Safeway. (Small versions of those stores, at that.)  The list of items unavailable to us without trotting our spending dollars elsewhere is long. Even basics such as clothing and shoes cannot be found here.

Services are almost exclusively on the main island. Appointments with dentists, doctors, veterinarians, optometrists and the like require a trip off of Bay Farm.

Lincoln Middle School and Alameda High School where our neighborhood's children attend, are on the Main Island, adding to the traffic woes. 

I recently compiled a "wish list" of things I would love to see on Bay Farm. I write it  from the perspective of an Alameda native (born in the hospital before South Shore was even built) and as someone who has raised my family living in multiple neighborhoods on both the Main Island and Bay Farm.

Your list may differ from mine, but I suspect we share many of the same desires. I'm hoping you will share your ideas in the comments to this article. Maybe together we can envision a more interesting, sustainable and less traffic-choked Alameda.

1. Post Office branch or mailing kiosk

Yes, I know we have a U.P.S. store, but should that be our only option? At the least I wish we had a vending machine for stamps of all denominations and a mailing kiosk for packages like they have at the main post office.  Swan Way's Post Office in Oakland is also an option for us, but requires a car to readiily get there.  

2. Farmer's Market

It seems to me this is a no-brainer. Local, organic produce would be hugely popular. Isn't there some lot at the Harbor Bay Business Park empty on a Saturday or Sunday that could accommodate this?

3. Toy Store/Children's clothing store

The main reason people say they move to Bay Farm is for the schools. We have tons of families. Wouldn't it be great to be able to buy quality toys, shoes, clothes for our youngsters here?  (Yes, there is a small sprinkling of toys at Safeway and C.V.S., but it is truly very limited.) Maybe even a children's consignment store (similar to Lauren's Closet) would work here.

4. More Recycling Options

I've given up trying to recycle cans in the kiosk by Safeway because it is always full. What about a true recycling station like they have at South Shore?  Is there no corner in the business park one of these couldn't be stashed? 

It would be nice to be able to recycle compact fluorescent bulbs, batteries, eyeglasses and hearing aids on Bay Farm and to dispose of unwanted prescription medicines.

What about bringing back a Goodwill drop-off station again? Granted, it was sited in a bad location before near Safeway where the trucks make deliveries, but couldn't we find another spot for it somewhere?  What if St. Vincent De Paul or a similar charity had a truck parked each weekend in the C.V.S. lot to collect things? 

5. Senior Center

It would be great to have an off-shoot of Mastick Senior Center on Bay Farm.  For that matter, Alameda Adult School classes would be welcome here too.

6. Coffee shop open in the evening

While I am a big fan of Coffee and Tea Trader's and want to support this local business, I wish we had a coffee shop open in the evenings.  I often go to the Main Island to have a coffee date with friends at night.

7. Animal care

There are no shortage of pet stores now on the main island but none on Bay Farm. I could see a boutique pet food store, doggie daycare/boarding center, veterinarian and dog training classes being welcome additions to Bay Farm.  

8. Book store/gift shop/arts and crafts boutique

I would love some sort of emporium where when I needed to buy a gift I wouldn't have to leave Bay Farm.  Something in the mid price range would appeal to me.  

9. Hardware store

A small Pagano's or an Encinal Hardware on Bay Farm would be terrific. Even if they didn't carry everything, if they had just the basics and could have things ordered for you from their other stores and available for pick-up at the Bay Farm store it would save a lot of driving to the Main Island.

10. Meat Market/Fish Market/Alameda Natural Foods

It would be wonderful to recreate the Alameda Marketplace on Bay Farm or something akin to it.  Giving Safeway some healthy competition here wouldn't be a bad thing.

Now, what's on your wish list?