Goodbye Tire Mart, Hello Walgreens

The future of a longtime Livermore business is up in the air after the Planning Commission narrowly approved construction of a downtown Walgreens store.

A short-staffed planning commission Tuesday voted 2-1 to demolish two buildings to pave way for a nearly 16,000 square-foot Walgreens at the corner of South P and First streets. Commissioner Neal Pann was the lone dissenting vote. Commissioners Michal Lea and Bob Woerner were absent.

The two buildings that will be demolished are the vacant Hollywood Video at 60 South P St. and at 1682 First St. Tire Mart is still in business.

Both buildings are privately owned. Officials said the landowner has been working with Walnut Creek-based Browman Development Co., Inc. to bring Walgreens to town.

"What about me? What am I going to do?" Tire Mart owner Kevin Peterson asked commissioners. "Where am I going to move?"

Tire Mart has been at its downtown location since 1994.

Peterson said in an interview with Livermore Patch that he was unsure of the next steps for his business.

"It's all about location, location, location," he said. "I've been looking around, but my options are real limited."

Livermore Planning Manager Fred Osborn said city staff will work with Peterson to find another location in town.

The Walgreens is expected to help revitalize the west part of the downtown corridor that currently is overshadowed by foot traffic moving east toward the and .

"There is no catalyst on our end," said Michael Messinger, owner of , which will neighbor the planned Walgreens. "We need some more activity on our end for the rest of the retailers to survive."

Vic De Melo, vice president of Browman Development, did not have any details on when construction of the Walgreens will begin.

The project also includes a 1,200 square-foot building to be constructed on the 1.06 acres.