For most that live here or near here, this one short section of Alameda has many safety issues: no sidewalks for most of it, no bike lanes, a fast wide multi-lane expressway feel, no center turn/merge lane, and unnecessary long crosswalks. It is a major school route. Residents can not walk along this section of Alameda without entering the roadway and strollers, walkers, wheelchairs must use the roadway. There are a high number of speeders, accidents, and near misses.
The rest of Alameda and the new section of Santa Cruz from Middle School to downtown is a 3 lane road with bike lanes, sidewalks, and center turn lanes. It is just this 1,200 foot section of Alameda that is different.
Links to information on safety advantages of moving to 3 lanes: