At the current development meetings, Safeway has made many promises — statements regarding their future behavior, and how they will be a good neighbor.  Shown below is a truck violating the Albany Municipal Code by deviating from the prescribed truck route and traveling down Marin Avenue.  If neighbors react with skepticism to Safeway’s assurances it’s because we can’t even convince them to follow city ordinances — let alone unwritten promises.

Safeway truck traveling down Marin Ave

At the June 3 meeting several neighbors brought up the point that Safeway has been a poor steward of its existing property, frequently allowing trash and other eyesores to accumulate.  If you thought that such a high profile airing of its dirty laundry would encourage the store to clean up its property, you would have thought wrong.  The picture below was just taken today:

Trash accumulation on Safeway property

This trash heap was present for several weeks prior to the June 3 meeting, and almost a week later continues to be an urban eyesore.  The point here is that even under the spotlight Safeway has remained steadfast in its refusal to adequately maintain its property.  A larger footprint, with underground parking no less, means more opportunities for the property to fall into disrepair.