In its heyday, Hunt's Cannery transformed the agricultural areawest of downtown Hayward into a bustling neighborhood of homes andjobs at the turn of the century. The plant closed in 1978, however,leaving nondescript warehouses, aging homes and a maze of citystreets to dominate the district's landscape.

Single-family homes, town homes, condominiums, apartments andlive-work spaces will replace the cannery buildings bordering therailroad tracks, according to plans drawn up by San Franciscoconsultant Dan Solomon. A two-story replacement for BurbankElementary School, commercial space, more parks, community centerand street improvements are part of the overall plan that councilmembers approved of last week.

Other changes would include the addition of office and retailspace on Grand Street between C and Claire Streets. The citycouncil also agreed to spend $65,000 next year to study whatprograms and services should be offered at the new community centerthat will be located on Filbert Street between B and C streets. Inaddition, the plan also calls for a total of 29 acres of open spaceand a two-story, 60,000-sf building to accommodate 900students.