Development around transit stations has caught on in the Bay Area within the past five years, and transit districts have become increasingly active partners in bringing these projects to fruition. Transit villages, which are clusters of apartments, townhomes, offices and stores near transit hubs, are more popular now because tight housing and congested roads make commutes difficult for many Bay Area residents. Living close to transit makes a commute easier, as does working in an office near transit. Ready transit access to stores, services and community resources such as libraries, clinics and daycare centers can save time and travel expenses for commuters who pass through the transit village on the way to and from home or work.
Transit villages are the most visible form of transit-oriented development, but smaller projects are also taking place throughout the region. With little undeveloped land near transit facilities, most of these are classic "infill projects". Challenges include making the project compatible with neighboring uses, particularly if the residential density will be greater, and addressing noise and privacy issues for occupants. In addition, projects built near BART are usually planned for areas which were BART parking lots, and replacement parking must be provided.
BART's Strategic Plan, adopted in 1999, specifically supports transit-oriented development which is responsive to the needs of the communities served by the district. The district works with local jurisdictions on development initiated by a city, a developer or community members. According to Jeff Ordway, BART's Manager of Property Development, "transit oriented development begins with building on a station area's strengths—who but the community is better suited to identify what those strengths are?"
Some successful projects were already in place or under way before the BART plan was adopted. Award-winning Strobridge Court in Castro Valley, 96 units of affordable housing, was the first joint development project on BART-owned property. The project is within walking distance of downtown, and includes the historic Strobridge House, now a senior apartment complex, and a BART police station. In Hayward, exchanging BART land with the city made it possible to build a new City Hall and 360 units of housing.
In Oakland, most of the original BART parking area at the Fruitvale station will become part of an innovative project with a senior citizen center, a health clinic, a daycare center and a branch library in addition to almost 250 residential units (including lofts) and 70,000 square feet of commercial/retail space. It is seen as a catalyst for reviving the low-income neighborhood which was formerly avoided by many of the BART commuters who used the station.
In Richmond, where new transit village development began in April, the city's Iron Triangle neighborhood will gain 200 townhouses, houses and live/work lofts, 15,000 square feet of retail space, a cultural center and a parking garage adjacent to the BART/Amtrak intermodal station. The project is part of a larger redevelopment program for the downtown area.
In addition to working with communities around its stations to make more of the land now used for parking available for development, BART has provided funds for planning projects near stations in West Oakland and Pittsburg/Bay Point, and has been a participant in city and community planning for development near the Coliseum, MacArthur, San Leandro and Balboa Park stations. At the MacArthur station, for example, a community vision for development proved financially infeasible, but BART and the community have found an alternative project which will enlarge the Surgery Center and bring additional housing to the station area.
Transit agency partnerships with local government and developers are an important part of getting funding for transit-oriented development. At BART's Ashby Station, a complex with services and programs for the disabled has been proposed. Planning for the project is funded by BART, the city of Berkeley and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's Transportation for Livable Communities (TLC) program. In Concord, TLC funding was secured to construct a pedestrian plaza linking the BART station to downtown—a second phase will link to the new JFK University campus. Another TLC grant is being used to reconstruct the 16th/Mission station plaza to reconnect the station with the community, and a capital grant is being secured for a similar project at Bay Fair station.
Developers around the region are increasingly interested in transit-oriented projects because they are proving successful. Perhaps the best illustration of how attractive these developments can be is the plan for a West Dublin/Pleasanton BART station accompanied by two parking garages, 160 housing units, a 240-room hotel and 175,000 square feet of office space. The developer will provide $60 million to build the apartments, hotel and offices. Construction bonds will be issued by a joint powers authority, including BART and ABAG, to provide $40 million for the station and garages. The bonds will be repaid by BART fares and pre-paid rent from the developer for the use of BART property, as well as by taxes generated by the development which would otherwise go to the cities of Pleasanton and Dublin. After environmental review, the project is anticipated to begin construction in mid-2001 and be finished within two years. BART is also negotiating with developers for projects at Pleasant Hill, El Cerrito del Norte and Walnut Creek stations.
Unlike BART, Caltrain cannot make much land available for development projects, but the agency is working with cities along the rail corridor as they plan for changes. Former industrial sites near Caltrain stations in Mountain View now hold nearly 800 units of housing, and Redwood City will build 500 apartments, townhomes and condominiums two blocks from the Caltrain station. Transit-oriented development may also be the future use for the former Bay Meadows racetrack site in San Mateo.
Caltrain staff also helped the San Mateo City/County Association of Governments to develop a policy that budgets funding to encourage housing near transit. Cities can receive up to $2000 per bedroom for housing that is built within one-third mile of a transit station; funds received under the program can be used for a variety of transportation purposes.
Transit agencies which do not own land are participating in planning for transit hubs where buses meet BART or other transportation modes, and are taking other roles in encouraging development along transit corridors. Alameda-Contra Costa Transit (AC Transit) is involved in corridor planning along San Pablo Avenue, a partnership effort involving two counties and several cities. A Major Investment Study on a corridor extending from Berkeley to San Leandro is also under way. In Emeryville, AC Transit has worked with the city to establish conditions of use for redevelopment projects affecting curbs, pavement, canopies and lighting. This will create rider-friendly areas at "superstops" at major intersections and transfer points.
In San Francisco's Visitacion Valley, one proposal for the former Schlage Lock site would place a mixed-use development adjacent to the future Caltrain/Third Street (Muni) light rail intermodal station. It would include daycare, affordable housing, a branch library, City College extension, and open space. San Francisco is also considering a program, Better Neighborhoods 2002, which would remodel three neighborhoods into transit villages where residents could take advantage of particularly good Muni access: Upper Market Street, near two Muni Metro Stations and the new F-line streetcar; the industrial Central Waterfront along the future Third Street light rail line; and Balboa Park, served by Muni Metro, several bus lines and BART.
Conventional rail is also a development incentive. In Emeryville, the second phase of the EmeryStation office and retail project near the Amtrak station is getting under way. Apartments and lofts will be added by using the air rights above a new parking garage.
Transit-oriented development is an important component of the new "smart growth" concept. While these development proposals are seen as groundbreaking in Bay Area communities today, in another five years they may be the standard for development near transit corridors and hubs. By that time, the region's residents will expect housing, commercial space and community service facilities to be transit-accessible.
Leslie Stewart
For more information:
Jeffrey Ordway, BART, 510-464-6114; jordway@bart.gov, http://www.bart.gov
John Nemeth, Caltrain, 650-508-6306; http://www.caltrain.org
Tina Konvalinka, AC Transit, 510-891-4754; http://www.actransit.com