Smart Growth, Too Early

The cover of the East Bay Express reads "GHOST TOWN: What if they built the development of the future and no one came?"

They're referring to Oakland's Fruitvale Village, of course.

But while they devote a lot of ink to the legitimate financial woes of the retailers who have moved in there, I found two key takeaways:

1. It's too early to sound a death knell on a smart growth project. (Although it would suck if the BART stations developing transit villages right now with private developer financing bailed on retail altogether).

2.Beignets.
I smell a Field trip!With coffee! And lots of powedered sugar! (And for us, it means a ride on a train. How can you beat that, kids? A train AND square donuts!)