New clothes, friends, and the sweet taste of boba tea—all things the Hillsdale Mall has offered Nueva students and the surrounding San Mateo community for years. Students seek out the buzz and social energy of the mall, just half a mile away from campus, for anything from an after-school Starbucks trip to a full-blown shopping spree. But what if that buzz slowly died out?
Bohannon Companies, a local developer, has undertaken the task of revamping the Hillsdale Mall—a project expected to take around 20 years to complete. The project, titled Hillsdale Reimagined, aims to create a neighborhood of “unparalleled quality,” according to the plan’s website, as well as a hub for increased housing opportunities, and retail and outdoor spaces.
While the final development application is expected to contain a few minor changes, the current proposal for redevelopment seems to already be in play.
The plan entails the construction of several 10-story high-rise buildings, packed with office space. The proposed amount of retail opportunities is also much lower than what the mall currently offers. The renderings appear to provide the minimal amount of housing required to qualify for a density bonus with the city, much to the disappointment of many current residents.
“I think the community is really concerned that this is not what we envision for our [future],” Dana Sahae said. Sahae is a representative of Checkpoint Hillsdale, a community watchdog group that has voiced concerns over the proposed redevelopment of the mall. “I understand that this project will happen, but I want to see it [be] the best it can be. And it’s nowhere close to that right now.”
The local community is also concerned by the estimated length of the project. The original plans for the Bay Meadows development gave a 20-year timeline for completion; however, after 20 years, the project still continues, with several blocks remaining incomplete. Residents of the area worry that the mall redevelopment will hit the same hurdles that occurred with the Bay Meadows development.
Residents also shared concerns over traffic and the loss of community staples such as the Trader Joe’s grocery store.
“All my neighbors walk to Trader Joe’s, and nobody wants to see that replaced with another high-end grocery store,” Sahae said.
Loss of tax revenue from the current volume of stores is another point of worry: “You have to wonder how the city is going to make that up in the future,” Sahae said.
During the Nov. 3 City Council meeting, the city addressed residents’ worries about the proposed redevelopment. Commencing with an explanation from a representative of Bohannon, council members and residents were able to voice their questions and concerns.
While many attendees aligned with Checkpoint Hillsdale’s opposition, others expressed alternative viewpoints and considerations.
“This project will give trades like mine stable work to continue to provide for our families,” said Juan Valesco, a San Mateo resident who works in construction.
Other participants agreed with Valesco, urging the city to utilize this plan to further “invest in the working class of the City of San Mateo.”
Many residents shared that they were looking forward to the affordable housing that the plan promises, and they encouraged the City and developers to keep that promise of accessible housing for the whole community.
Bohannon also sought to address concerns about a massive construction project’s impact along the busy streets of San Mateo. They proposed a continuous multistep ‘phasing’ plan for the project. The plan consists of several demolition and construction sets, beginning with the destruction of the parking structures lining Edison Street and the side of Guitar Center. The demolition would then be followed by the construction of several townhomes, marking the beginning of the long construction process.
The phasing will continue throughout the project in order to address concerns of San Mateo city residents, among others, who frequent the area.
Bohannon’s second ‘phase’ proposes the demolition of the southern end of the mall, which would include a large portion of the current retail space. This section of demolition would then pause after the deconstruction of infrastructure currently closest to the dining terrace. This part of the mall would then be replaced by more residential infrastructure.
The ‘phasing’ proposition intends to gradually demolish the current mall and implement more housing along with retail and several office-oriented high-rise buildings.
“We will do our best to see that this project is the best it can be for our city,” said Adam Loraine, Deputy Mayor of San Mateo. “I also ask for some open-mindedness on the change that a project like this could bring to our city. We see our landscape changing, and our city changing, and we too will need to change with it.”
The meeting concluded with San Mateo’s Mayor, Rob Newsom Jr., urging Bohannon Companies to, within the best of their ability, “give back to the community.”
The only expected additions to the current project plan are responses to concerns raised around traffic, access to first response, and other vital infrastructure needs. However, the development of this conversation among City Council members, San Mateo residents, Hillsdale mall frequenters, and the Bohannon group is expected to continue until the plans are finalized.
