I say maybe

Prefer something nicer but this would be an improvement all the same. Would like less vehicle traffic, more pedestrian-friendly environment. It would be great if there is some redesign of the parking lot to make it more pedestrian-friendly.

I say maybe

I wonder which traffic, gridlock, and road rage is more agreeable to the sensibilities of the residents of the Grand Lake area - that which will surely be caused by Trader Joe's, or that which would be caused by Fatburger? Despite the gentrification appeal factor, Trader Joe's (replacing a former grocery store at the same site) is no better an option than Fatburger (potentially replacing a burger joint at the same site) when it comes to traffic. Judging by the volume of business at their Emeryville and Alameda stores, Trader Joe's may well be the worst possible option for traffic. If neighborhood residents generally support the addition of Trader Joe's - and I hink they do - then the "increased traffic" argument against Fatburger does not hold water.

As I see it, the problem is not the possibility of Fatburger occupying the Qwikway site. The problem is the entire stretch of Lake Park; though it's the only viable connector between Grand and Lakeshore Avenues for pedestrians and cyclists, it is not at all user friendly to or safe for them. Whatever uses the Qwikway site and all of Lake Park support in the future, the block needs to be redeveloped in a way that keeps cars and pedestrians/cyclists in seperate, safe, spaces as much as possible.

To this end, whatever is done with the Qwikway site should be done in such a way as to discourage increased auto traffic and encourage increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic. For instance, don't allow a drive-thru and limit parking spaces to street only. Parking lots are the biggest waste of space in the urban landscape and, if freed up, could be replaced by any manner of useful enterprises - housing, commerce, parks, etc. If the parking lot is eliminated, the site could support both a Fatburger *and* other uses that generate sorely needed revenue for the City.

I say maybe

McDonalds was an obvious no, but there is some value in allowing someone to come in and put some money into that space. The building is a beautiful example of the type of distinctly mid-century American architecture that has been driven out of Oakland by gentrification and lack of vision. If certain conditions are met, I would be willing to see Fatburger there. It's odd that this is so controversial, seeing as T-Mobile (not to mention Gap, Blockbuster and Trader Joe's) represents a much more (neon pink) threat to the viability of a localized shopping district where the money doesn't go to corporate headquarters out of the community.

I say maybe

My only worry is traffic congestion.

It seems as though Fatburger has taken some precautions to avoid it (must call ahead to get drive thru order), but with the double parking that occurs in front of the post office during the evening commute, adding more traffic could create a huge headache on that block. Do we assign an already overwhelmed Oakland PD for more traffic enforcement?

I'd like to see that addressed before I'm a committed yes.

I say maybe

Though I don't like to see people slowly kill themselves with fast food intake, I'm not one to tell people what they should or should not eat. I won't say that Fatburgers might not be good for folks and therefore one shouldn't be opened in the neighborhood.

The Hahn's have to be allowed to see some return on their investment. If a small development or interim parking lot won't fly (see below) then the Hahn's must be allowed to lease to Fatburgers

If the Hahn's are not able or allowed to lease their property to the Fatburger folks then it will become more of an eyesore than it is now, as it slowly deteriorates.

The "fly" in the ointment seems to be the B of A's 30 space lease. This really lessens the Hahn's options to find a buyer (lessee) that can live with that lease and still do a viable development.If they aren't able to lease to Fatburger's but instead must continue to look for a developer, the City could ask them (force them?) to demolish the building. It would take a permit, but I'm sure that the City wouldn't mind seeing the property razed; eliminating a growing eyesore.

An interim option would be to turn the property into a metered parking lot, lit at night, until such time as the current owner can find a developer that can live with the concerns of the neighborhood and the B of A 30 space lease..

David Douglas (Douglas parking) could give you a better idea as to the feasibility of such a lot (metered, lit and leased to the City?). That area gets very congested and an additional parking area would elevate some of that congestion, Bank of America, notwithstanding. They create a fair amount of that congestion themselves and a lot would ease a bit more of that.

A parking lot would bring some revenue to the property owner, whether the overseer be someone like Douglas or the City itself. Additional metered parking space should be welcomed by the neighborhood.

Please add this to the other suggestions/ideas you have received. I thank Patricia Kernighan for her involvement in this issue.

Dick Hughes

I say maybe

I'd like to hear more. If the building is well designed and they eliminate the drive thru (guaranteed to cause many traffic hassles)it might be worthwhile. I'd prefer a better quality restaurant or cafe or another use, but some improvement is better than nothing.

I say maybe

I actually love the old Kwik Way building, as well as the Serenader next door. If the Kwik Way offered good food, I would eat there now. The neighborhood has an "old-style" charm - I love the mix of old buildings - the Grand Lake theater, the old veterinary building up on Grand, the restaurants in old houses.

If Fatburger kept the Kwik Way building intact, it could be a great business. There's lots of foot traffic due to the farmer's market, the post office, and the theater.

I DO NOT want another "new urbanism" building - I'd live in Berkeley if I liked those. Four floors of apartments and mixed retail would cause far more traffic congestion than a Fatburger. (Because, unfortunately, AC Transit service is terrible if one lives around Lake Merritt. I had to get a car when I moved here. I bike the 6 miles to work at UC Berkeley; it takes twice as long to commute by bus.)

I also grew up in Southern California, and if Fatburger has the same quality of food, I would enthusiastically support it, although I only eat meat once a month or so now.

SO: to sum up. I would hate the see the funky architecture of the Kwik Way give way to a new urbanism, mixed-use building mass or stupid fast-food-design building renovations (of which we already have a representative sample in the KFC). But if Fatburger kept the current design - 50s "Disney" retro doesn't appeal to me - I would happily endorse their moving in.

I say maybe

Why not ? Fatburger is pretty good and it's no Kwik Way that is for sure..how about an Indian restaurant instead ??

I say maybe

I don't have a problem with it. Kwik Way is disgusting. If Fatburger comes in we have essentially no change but slighly more edible affordable fast food for the neighborhood. And no need for additional parking to magically materialize ala Trader Joes.

Rosanne

I say maybe

Kwik Way, that whole block, is awful. Including the Grand Lake Theater with it's ad nauseum political hackery--isn't there a law against using a theater marquee for political bigotry?

I'd love to see a viable business there, agree we have enough fast food to go around but if there are no other choices, I'd reluctantly approve. Expecially if that Grand Lake owner disapproves.

I say maybe

Its not quite the development I would have hoped for but the Kwik Way is currently an eye sore.

I would request that there is NO DRIVE THRU available at the location as this impedes pedestrian traffic between Lakeshore and Grand.

I say maybe

This is a business by a sports figure that could be a positive influnece in the neighborhood - creating jobs for our youth - cleaning up the image of the current area, etc. I think it would be a big improvement to Kwik Way - however why not renovate Kwik Way and make it a classic drive in of the old days with a new tech feel to it? Fun and yet classic? Either or, something needs to happen. I love living on Lakeshore Ave and enjoying the variety it offers, but I want to see Oakland move forward with allowing the outside to come in!
R Robinson

I say maybe

A Fatburger would certainly be better than the Kwik Way. Fatburger's distain for vegetarians seems to conflict with the neighborhood philosophy of tolerance but we can blame the advertising company for that I guess. Why a burger joint though? Does the business have to match the building footprint exactly? I do like a good burger!

I say maybe

I believe that the positives outweigh the negatives, particularly the negative of the status quo remaining for years to come. If the product is of reasonable quality (represented in the article as such) and the establishment is run with sensitivity to our community then I favor moving forward. I would hope for appropriate speed bumps or other means to ensure that the traffic that crosses the pedestrian path is slowed to a crawl and that there are no obstructions of the driver's view when looking for approaching pedestrians. I would also hope for increased security at the parking lot after hours, as this has proven to be problematic. I also hope for the abatement/closure of the Serenade establishment.

I say maybe

If I had to choose, I would vote yes, because a Fatburger would be an improvement over the existing business. However, I wonder why the choice is an extreme: fast-food vs. long-postponed development. Are there other food chain/restaurants that might also work in that location that have even less takeout appeal than a burger place? Why is it always coming down to burger joints?

I say maybe

Depends on the owner. Will facility be rebuilt or remodeled? What will traffic impact be? Preferably I'd not like a fast food place but one which was more 'sit down'.

I say maybe

I love the funky Kwik Way, just wish the food were edible. Oakland is losing far too many of its wonderful funky sites, which are full of character and charm. Most of the newer buildings look like clones that will not wear well in time. The Kwik Way is one of the buildings that helps maintain a sense of place, the "there" which is Oakland. I'd say, save the building, save the Kwik Way Sign, bring back waitpersons on skates and make it a fun, retro hamburger joint with good burgers and Root Beer Floats, and maybe some 50s music. I'd support FatBurger taking on this project, if they have decent food and can keep the cool sign and other retro features.

I say maybe

I would prefer an upscale burger place to another "mixed" use condo complex at that location.

Any condo project would a big NO in my book.

I say maybe

As a resident of the neighborhood (5yrs+) and a fan of local business, distinctive architecture and hamburgers, I think the optimal outcome would be a profitable, renovated Kwik-way. Some may scoff, but Kwik-way's distinctive design and logo are Oakland icons. The hand-dipped and fried to order Miller's corn dogs (another local historical tie-in) are delicious and if Kwik-way must indeed go by the board I urge everyone to try one of these delectable, local treats while you can.

I believe some who have posted here are confusing waiting for and eating food with loitering. And the food police would always like to override personal responsibility and dictate from on high the food choices available to their neighbors and their neighbors' children. As for making the neighborhood more pedestrian-friendly, I’m pretty sure it’s the out-of-the-area farmers’ market patrons, not Kwik-way drive-thru customers, who are constantly trying to kill me when I cross Lake Park on foot.

Fatburger is no McDonald's; it is a regional chain with a strong reputation among burger aficionados, among whose numbers I count myself. I have not had a Fatburger before but a trip to Pleasant Hill specifically to sample one is on my radar. Yes, shocking as it may be that means I will fill my car with fossil fuels and drive a certain distance to consume meat, taking my dollars out of the neighborhood with me. If it's as good as I've heard I’ll probably make a habit of it.

Face it folks, every open space can’t be a farmers’ market, every building in the neighborhood cannot be a Trader Joe's and TJ's is not some magic Johnny Appleseed-like entity spawning "healthy," "upscale" development around it. Take a look at Emeryville- TJ's is surrounded by Lyon's, Denny's, Togo's, Jo-Ann Fabrics. Alameda's TJ's has an Applebee's next store. Whoop-de-doo.

So: Save Kwik-way! Renovate this piece of original Oakland charm! Failing that, bring on the Fatburger, if they can be convinced to keep the building's current artistic stylings and serve hand-dipped Miller's corn dogs fried to order.

I say maybe

I'd be more enthusiastic about a non-hamburger restaurant, such as Khana Peena.

I'd love to see the drive-thru completely, permanently eliminated.

I'm excited by proposals for a sizeable sit-down restaurant in this area. We need more mid-priced, non-fast food vendors.