Glydways turning Sears into AV command center at Hilltop Mall
Construction continues at Glydway's 14-acre development hub, which is transforming part of the former Sears building at Hilltop Mall into a development and demonstration core for its all-electric transit technology.
In January, Glydways announced it was building a temporary 14-acre testing hub for its Automated Transit Network technology.
Soren Hemmila
For the last several weeks, workers have been visible in the parking lot and on the building itself, preparing the site for the transformation from a dormant retail space to a high-tech transit facility.
According to city documents, permits finalizing the plan were approved on Tuesday, paving the way for Glydways to divide the existing space, creating a conference room and a control room for a test track. The vacant auto repair shop will also be repurposed for electric vehicles.
The project also includes minor interior modifications, such as an accessible path of travel from entry to restrooms and upgrading a restroom for accessibility compliance. The total area of work covers 13,381 square feet.
The facility will include a mile-long test track, a 13,000-square-foot maintenance and storage center, and a control center to oversee system operations. It will also include a visitor showroom featuring immersive virtual reality demonstrations of Glydways projects worldwide. The company plans to conduct safety and reliability testing before its first ATN pilot launch in 2026.
Glydways says the Richmond facility is strategically positioned near one of its largest upcoming projects in East Contra Costa County, a 28-mile Automated Transit Network developed in partnership with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and Tri Delta Transit.
Gokul Hemmady, CEO of Glydways, said the Hilltop Mall project doesn't just expand the company's physical footprint; it lays the groundwork for a new era of urban mobility.
"By building this hub in our own backyard, we're not only advancing our systems close to home but also demonstrating our commitment to bringing efficient, zero-emission transit solutions to the Bay Area and beyond," Hemmady said.
Mattie Sorrentino, Director of Corporate Communications at Prologis, said Glydways has a short-term lease to temporarily occupy a portion of the defunct mall site. At the same time, Prologis, the property's owner, continues to focus on long-term redevelopment plans for the largely vacant location.
According to Sorrentino, Prologis has been exploring redevelopment options with city staff and community stakeholders over the past two years.
"Based on input from the community as well as the city, we are working to bring a modern, mixed-use development that will create jobs and contribute to Richmond’s economy," Sorrentino said.
Prologis is currently focused on the city's specific plan process and continues to evaluate market conditions to ensure the feasibility of a long-term project.
Soren Hemmila
The company plans to meet with community stakeholders before finalizing redevelopment plans and submitting a formal planning application.
"We look forward to meeting with various community stakeholders in the future for feedback," Sorrentino said.
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