Park Street is Alameda’s central Historic Commercial District, with over 70 contributing structures, and was named Best Shopping District of 2013 by Alameda Magazine. The district houses 500 businesses, and stretches nearly a mile, covering around a dozen blocks from the Park Street Bridge to San Jose Avenue. Park Street is anchored by the historic Alameda Theatre and Cineplex. The district is also home to Alameda’s civic center, with City Hall, the Police Department, the main Fire Station, the Library, and the island’s largest high school, all of which are less than two blocks from Park Street’s bustling stretch of stores and restaurants.

An early fall groundbreaking for a new retail development next to the very popular Marketplace was a big step in the revitalization of North Park Street. This project hosts a remarkably local cast of stakeholders, including investment from four local business leaders, design by a local architect, and strong support from the community, including the Chamber of Commerce. Architect Grey Klein, of Malick & Associates, specializes in designing buildings that fit in with historic surroundings. The 30,000 sq. ft. of retail space in two new buildings promises to complement the Districts early 20th Century feel. The site, Alameda Station, will offer several retail opportunities along with a new Walgreens. The development is scheduled to open in May 2014. Contact Todd Oliver or Patrick McGaughey at Terranomics for leasing information.

Every 2nd Friday between 6 and 9 p. m., the Park Street District joins Oakland’s Jingletown just across the bridge for a festive art walk. With some 20 participating venues, local artists including Studio 23 Gallery, and Linda Weinstock exhibit their work to hundreds of guests from Alameda, Oakland, and neighboring cities, including San Francisco and San Jose. The art walk has picked up momentum over the past year, with several new venues joining in. Says Chris Rummel of Redux Studios and Gallery: “I think the 2nd Friday Art Walk is building a reputation for the Park Street District as home to an interesting and vibrant art scene.”

Software version management industry leader Perforce has been dubbed one of the best places to work by both the San Francisco Business Times and Computer Weekly. Producing document collaboration tools and version control software used by organizations such as Google, NASA, and the New York Stock Exchange, the business employs over 200 people in high quality positions, and has its own purpose-built campus within easy walking distance of Park Street amenities. Alameda born and bred, Perforce is deeply involved in the local community. The Perforce Foundation is set up to help each employee direct an annual amount of the company’s charitable giving to a cause of their choosing.

Fabled Oakland newsstand De Lauer’s has opened its second location at 1412 Park Street. De Lauer’s has been an Oakland fixture for over 100 years, but the Park Street location is its first-ever expansion. The specialty news purveyor complements the district’s independent bookstore up the street with international newspapers and thousands of specialty magazines. The store also has an impressive selection of comics and graphic novels. Alameda’s well educated and diverse population is a good match for such an eclectic mix of content. Business owner Fasil Lemma told the Contra Costa Times that Alameda “seems like the best decision” for an expansion.