State of Harbor Bay Landing Shopping Center?

Alameda Patch recently received an email echoing questions that have been asked in the past about the upkeep and vacancy rates at Harbor Bay Landing Shopping Center.

Some residents may recall an op-ed piece in the Alameda Sun two years ago by Irene Dieter citing neglect and many vacancies and saying the center had "gone downhill."

After we received the recent email, we contacted the real estate listing agent for the property, Rich Krinks, who told us that the center has seen significant improvement and that the operators of the center are doing a "good job" on maintenance.

"The owners just put brand new roofs on all the buildings," he said.

In addition, the clock tower has been fixed and landscaping has been improved, he said.

As for the vacancy rates, he acknowledged that the center still has a number of empty spaces, but he said it's a reflection of the difficult economic times and the general condition affecting shopping centers now. He said the South Shore Center and Marina Village also have many vacancies.

"It's just not a robust market right now," he said.

He said he didn't have comparative data on vacancies at Harbor Bay Landing, but insofar as it may have a higher percentage, he attributed it to a large number of vacancies that occurred at the same time that the economy swung south.

Alameda Community Director Lori Taylor provided a list that the city uses internally to track vacancies in Alameda. The list, which she said "isn't scientific," is dated Dec. 5 and shows a 12-percent vacancy rate at both Harbor Bay Landing and South Shore, and a 6-percent vacancy rate at Marina Village.

"Most shopping centers are struggling to find good tenants," she said.

We'd like to know your thoughts on Harbor Bay Landing. You can tell us in the comments below.