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

Single-family homes, town homes, condominiums, apartments and live-work spaces will replace the cannery buildings bordering the railroad tracks, according to plans drawn up by San Francisco consultant Dan Solomon. A two-story replacement for Burbank Elementary School, commercial space, more parks, community center and street improvements are part of the overall plan that council members approved of last week.

Other changes would include the addition of office and retail space on Grand Street between C and Claire Streets. The city council also agreed to spend $65,000 next year to study what programs and services should be offered at the new community center that will be located on Filbert Street between B and C streets. In addition, the plan also calls for a total of 29 acres of open space and a two-story, 60,000-sf building to accommodate 900 students.