The property at 2900 Fulton at 5th Avenue is under development.
After the Alexandria Theater, the dilapidated building at 2900 Fulton and 5th Avenue is an issue that Supervisor Mar hears about most from residents. That’s because since it went vacant in 2002, the run-down building has been a magnet for graffiti and garbage.
This week, many neighbors are breathing a sigh of relief because developers began demolition to make way for a mixed commercial and residential property.
The building’s bottom floor will accommodate a 700 square foot commercial space, while the top three floors will consist of four condominiums. The building will also include garage space for the residents.
Richmond District historian John Freeman first told me about the new construction. Having lived in the neighborhood most of his life, he remembers when a Safeway was located there.
“Safeway must have remodeled the building in the early 1930’s, but they closed and boarded it up during World War II,” John recalls.
In 1946 or 1947, John says that an independent grocer, Lucky Market, opened. They were a small chain that had other stores in the city. The market later became Shop-Rite, an early link in the 7-11 franchise chain. It closed in 1968.
The building was then vacant for a few years, but eventually became a laundromat/dry cleaners from 1972 to 2002 called Fulton FabriCare.
Who will occupy the new retail space on the ground floor remains to be seen, though when John chatted with one of the builders on site, they indicated they were open to a variety of commercial options, be it coffee shop, office space or retail store.
After eight years, it’s nice to finally say goodbye to another eyesore in the neighborhood. Now we just need to make headway on that other market on Clement Street and 32nd Avenue…
Special thanks to John Freeman for providing the information and photos for this article.
Sarah B.
The Fulton streetcar passes in front of the Safeway at 2900 Fulton, 1938. Photo courtesy of John Freeman.
Great news, great story!
Saw that last night when I drove by. Who knew that that *bleep* hole was a safeway once. Thanks for the history lesson. Certainly keeps things in perspectve.
When we lived on 11th Avenue between Fulton and Cabrillo, we often did our laundry there. The owners were a nice couple.
Losing that decrepit laundromat was a big blow to the community, followed by eight years of eyesore, graffiti and garbage. Sounds like it’ll become another Richmond District box, with the only mystery being what commercial venue transpires.
I believe the #5 Fulton was the Fulton line and the #21 (Hayes line) ran South on 8th Avenue from Clement to Fulton and then on Fulton to Stanyon Street, South on Stanyon to Hayes and then East on Hayes to Downtown. Correct?
The new condo building is done and they are now being marketed. Here are some pics and my thoughts:
http://www.jacksonfuller.com/2011/05/25/2900-fulton-st/