Featured

Transit-Oriented Developments Underway in Oakland

Published

6 years ago

November 23, 2017

From left to right: Margaret McFarland, Commonwealth; Shani Ryan, Chase Bank; Sylvester Grigsby, Community Advocate; Director Robert Raburn; Councilmember Larry Reid; Michael Johnson, Urban Core; Mayor Libby Schaaf; Clint Bolden, Oakland Economic Development Corp.

By Robert Raburn

The BART Board adopted a bold policy in June 2016 to encourage Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) on lands owned by BART.
Creating mixed use, commercial or housing developments at BART represents a smart strategy that improves the region’s quality of life, economy, and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Living and working near BART represents access to opportunity.

The Bay Area’s imbalance between burgeoning job growth and stagnant housing supply has resulted in skyrocketing housing costs and the displacement of workers who cannot afford to live near the job centers.

Throughout the region, BART envisions long-term leases yielding 20,000 much-needed housing units by 2040. Of particular significance, all income levels will be accommodated.

The policy sets a goal that 35% of the overall projected units (7,000) will be affordable. At any particular site, a minimum of 20% of the units will be affordable.

Construction is well underway at MacArthur Transit Village. A total of 875 housing units and over 30,000 square feet of commercial retail space is planned.

In early 2016 tenants began to occupy “Mural,” the 90 units of affordable housing built by BRIDGE Housing. Currently underway is a mixed-use development with another 383 units being built by Hines.
In early 2018, Boston Properties will break ground on a 24-story tower that will add another 402 units. To complete the makeover, the station plaza will be rebuilt and include a secure 200-space bike station and lighting designs adopted by the Temescal-Telegraph Improvement District.

Fruitvale Village is the site of the iconic mixed-use TOD opened in 2004 that includes 47 housing units. A Phase IIA agreement with BRIDGE Housing, the City of Oakland, and East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation will deliver 94 housing units (92 affordable) to be called Casa Arabella in honor of the founder of the Unity Council.
We welcome the inclusion of 20 units for homeless veterans that will offer supportive services.

“Coliseum Connections” represents a 110-unit joint venture by Oakland Economic Development Corporation and UrbanCore, another local group. The groundbreaking was on Oct. 6. The development will include a 5-story building and 2-story town-homes. One half of the units will be affordable.
For more information, visit www.bart.gov
Robert Raburn is a member of the BART Board of Directors.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Related Topics:BART Oakland transportation

Up Next

Anti-Coal Activists Announce Boycott of Developer Phil Tagami’s Rotunda Building

Don't Miss

Acts Full Gospel Gives Community 1300 Turkeys

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

7 days ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.