On the northeast corner of Sable and E Alameda Avenue sits a dysfunctional 7 acre commercial center known as Alameda Center. It doesn't look that bad from the outside. It was built in the 1970s, so it isn't that old, and there are cars in the parking lot. But there is something "off" about it that is hard to describe exactly.
Start with access. There are only 2 entrances on Sable and these will be frequently blocked by the light rail. However, the nearest light rail station will be several blocks away, so it will not benefit from the light rail being there, at least not as retail. There are 2 or 3 entrances on Alameda but they are only acccessible from the westbound side.
There is a vacancy rate of about 50%, and some of the remaining space is used for non-retail purposes such as churches. So only about 1/3 of the property is used for retail, and they are probably leased for below market rates.
The asphalt in the parking lot has cracks and is deteriorating. At the very least, it needs patched and new lines painted for the parking spaces. The alley in the back is only partially paved and it has ruts.
The property is right in front of the city hall and right across the street from vacant land that the city sees as its future downtown and as a "strategic area which is critical to the city's economy and identity". There is a large artificial lake behind it, but the property doesn't have a view of and the alley is separated by a chain link fence.
Read the report on the "Alameda Center Urban Renewal Plan". The plan mentions some of the problems with the site, but doesn't talk about what should happen.
I think the whole site should be torn down and an urban village built with a fountain in the middle, retail on the first floor, and living quarters above. And build pedestrian bridges across Sable and Alameda. There is a huge demand for apartments in Aurora, and this would have a nice view of the lake, with the light rail station a few blocks away.
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