Phase Two Promises To Be Better

After months of frustration and lost revenue from nearby businesses, phase one of the construction along Castro Valley Boulevard is finally complete - now on to phase two.

According to representatives from the Alameda County Redevelopment Agency this time citizens and local business owners have nothing to worry about.

Redevelopment Director Eileen Dalton said that’s because of the agency’s cooperation with affected citizens and businesses.

Along with Supervisor Nate Miley, Dalton and others at the redevelopment agency have been meeting with locals since mid-April to address their concerns and provide solutions.

And those solutions were apparently sorely needed – some store owners near the construction zones had reported a 30 percent drop in business and many citizens complained of their inability to navigate the congested and blocked roadways.

Dalton said that during the public meetings, they found most of the issues were centered on the fact that the majority of the construction was done in its entirety rather than in sections. Another contributing factor was the use of large concrete barriers called K-rails that blocked traffic.

The first correction was replacing the concrete K-rails with orange, plastic cones to prevent turn lanes from being blocked. Another change is a new traffic safety program implemented by the contractor that will help prevent congestion and make the street more pedestrian friendly.

Bob Swanson, Alameda County's liaison to Castro Valley, said they’ll also be working in sections where possible rather than clogging up the whole street at once.

But the biggest change is probably a push to help the affected businesses through a concentrated marketing push.

“We’re putting up ads, a website, (marketing) events - a whole host of things that will help the merchants,” said Marita Hawryluk of the Alameda County Redevelopment Agency.

The redevelopment agency’s efforts to keep business thriving in Castro Valley is keeping in line with the purpose of the construction along Castro Valley Boulevard.

The Castro Valley Boulevard Streetscape Project was initiated to fix some aging underground pipelines, but its chief purpose is to beautify the boulevard to keep business humming.

When it’s complete the new street will feature widened sidewalks, improved medians with landscaping including trees, decorative pavers, new bike racks, sidewalk planting strips, street furnishings including newsracks, benches, bollards and trash cans, decorative streetlights, gateway markers, banners and public art.

Phase two of The Castro Valley Boulevard Streetscape Project will include construction along the south side and then the north side Castro Valley Boulevard.

Phase two construction along the south side began earlier this month and is expected to be completed in September.

The north side construction will begin in October but will stop from November 20 to January 6 to allow the winter weather to clear up before restarting in January.  The projected completion date for all construction - barring any other weather delays - is at the end of April.

The redevelopment agency plans on keeping in touch with the public and local business owners to make sure the problems that occurred in phase one don’t rear their heads during phase two.

There will be a follow up merchants meeting on 8:30 a.m. on Thursday at the redevelopment agency’s building at 3295 Castro Valley Blvd. to allow continued public input on the subject.

“We’re just begging people’s patience and we’ve promised (the final result) will be beautiful,” said Dalton. “Just remember to eat at the restaurants and shop at the businesses even though it can be somewhat difficult - shop Castro Valley.”