In yet another blow to Oakland's struggling economy, the BayCitizen reports that Emeryville appears poised to lure a new Macy's store, albeit with some opposition.  Oakland already loses over $1 billion in retail sales to its suburbs annually, which translates to over $10 million in lost sales tax revenue and 10,000 lost jobs.  Oakland's solution to this retail leakage was supposed to be the Upper Broadway Specific Plan to create the East Bay's largest retail district just north of Downtown.  However, this project appears stalled, with no web updates posted since February even though the plan was supposed to be completed by late Fall 2010.  Macy's was supposed to be one of the major retail anchors for the district, along with Target, JCPenney, and others. 

The success of Oakland's economy, as well as the effectiveness of its city government, rests upon its ability to reduce its retail sales and job losses to its suburbs.  Oakland must increase its sales tax revenue to help prevent further budget crises and cuts to schools, police, and city services.  The Oakland Streetcar would be a much-needed catalyst to bring the Upper Broadway Retail District into fruition.