Grand Lake residents find an ally

Oakland Tribune, Oct 19, 2005 by Laura Casey, STAFF WRITER

OAKLAND -- Last year, the idea of a McDonald's drive-through restaurant taking over the Kwik Way hamburger stand on Lake Park Avenue thrilled Grand Lake residents about as much as yesterday's soggy hamburger.

They organized and protested against the proposal by Kwik Way owners Alex and Charles Hahn. Things got a little ugly, too, as residents and shopkeepers exchanged words with the Hahns. At one point, Charles Hahn called his adversaries "Stalinists" bent on telling him what to do with his property.

What a difference a year makes.

When the McDonald's plan fizzled, Charles Hahn's attitude turned. He started talking, rather than debating, with Grand Lake stakeholders.

And today, he is proposing to build a mixed-use housing and retail development on the site, a 55-unit project that will cater to residents near Grand and Lakeshore avenues rather than highway drivers looking for a quick meal.

The new proposal is being well-received by residents, and the Hahns have become community allies rather than adversaries.

"It is really more of a partnership," said Ken Katz of the Grand Lake Neighborhood Association. "I know for a fact in the long run this is going to be better for everyone involved."

Hahn and his family own three parcels on Lake Park Avenue -- the Kwik Way site, the Bank of America site and the Serenader Bar site. If current plans stand, the new development would offer 10,000 square feet of retail space and 70 parking spaces.

It would also unify the block, said developer Dave Latina of the Paramount Development Group.

"If this goes forward, it will be the gateway to the Grand Lake neighborhood," Latina said.

Latina got involved in the Kwik Way project when his neighbors organized against the Hahn family. He decided to try to help the Hahns create a project everyone could get behind. To do that, the Hahns would have to be open to community feedback.

Over the past year, 25 stakeholders, including Grand Lake residents, shopkeepers and activists, met twice with the Hahns to talk about what they would like to see at the Kwik Way site. They said they wanted a pedestrian-friendly village, one that would attract visitors in the evening. They also wanted it to fit in with the neighborhood and highlight Splash Pad park.

The new project appears to meet all those goals.

"It is a pedestrian-friendly retail development where the neighborhood can meet," Charles Hahn said. "It is also fully compatible with phase two of the Splash Pad park."

Hahn not only met with stakeholders but also mended fences with them by volunteering his help on community beautification projects. This new relationship, he said, will yield a better project in the long run.

Hahn will host another meeting Monday, one open to the entire Grand Lake community.

"We want to give the community ample time and a chance to give their feedback" before finalizing project details, he said. After the meeting, Hahn will work with Kava Massih Architects to develop a design.

"If all goes well, construction can start in mid-2006," Hahn said.

Developer Latina will be presenting details of the proposal to residents while staffing a booth Saturday at the Grand Lake Festival, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Splash Pad park on Lake Park Avenue.

The community meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday in Barnett Hall at Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church, 3534 Lakeshore Ave.