Redwood Heights Neighborhood News

by Denise Davila

Lincoln Square

A new building has been approved for development in Lincoln Square on Redwood Road. The 5,000-square-foot addition is planned for the vacant site adjacent to the Chevron gas station. People can look forward to new retail and food service as early as summer 2008. Longtime local resident and owner Dave Seyranian tells the Metro that development is in the early phases and that specific businesses have not yet been determined.

Members of the community have some suggestions. The results of the 2006 Public Opinion Survey about Lincoln Square were just published by the Redwood Heights Neighborhood Association. One hundred sixty-two people participated. Seventy-three percent of the people indicate that more types of food options are important to serving the community. Top recommendations include a deli, bakery, Mexican restaurant, Italian restaurant (with pizza), and cafŽ/coffee house.

While the prospects of new food options at Lincoln Square may be exciting, the survey results indicate that other issues are even more important to address. For example, 78 percent of the respondents say that they currently drive outside of the area to shop for food and grocery items. One person writes, "We only go to Lincoln Square on an emergency basis." Another one says, "I'd rather drive to Montclair." Compare this statistic to the 84 percent majority who say that they would shop at the Lincoln Square Safeway more often if the supermarket were renovated to accommodate a greater diversity of products and services.

With regard to safety, the results convey strong sentiments, as well. Seventy-nine percent of the people responded that installing highly visible pedestrian walkways and improving traffic flow and parking layout are important to serving the community. "Getting there by foot is dangerous," a resident writes. "Especially for children," adds another.

Seeing change to existing areas of Lincoln Square may require great patience. The land at the shopping center is parceled, and each section is independently owned and managed. Some owners are local; others live in communities out of state. Here's hoping that the momentum planned for one parcel will inspire a positive domino effect across others.