The City of El Cerrito and Related California has landed $39.1 million from the State of California's Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program to develop affordable housing at the El Cerrito Plaza Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). This grant aims to construct a 70-unit building adjacent to the El Cerrito Plaza BART Station. It is a crucial step in a broader scheme that aims to supply 743 new housing units within the locale, as reported by the City of El Cerrito.
"This grant award is a significant step forward in our commitment to creating a more equitable and sustainable El Cerrito", El Cerrito's Mayor Tessa Rudnick emphasized, indicating that the project's benefits are not just limited to housing but extend to environmental and climate objectives; the funding was approved earlier by the California Strategic Growth Council, the endeavor has received support due to its alignment with the city's larger developmental and environmental goals. The plans for the TOD include six buildings, of which nearly half the units are intended to be below market rate, and additional public amenities such as a new community plaza and potential new library, provided the necessary funding is identified, according to the City of El Cerrito.
According to an article published by SF YIMBY, the full project plans reveal a mix of studio to three-bedroom apartments spread across six buildings with additional commercial spaces and a significantly large allotment for bicycle and vehicular parking. Pyatok, the project architect, has highlighted the use of modular materials in Parcel A South, which offers on-site amenities like a community room, laundry facilities, and landscaped courtyards.
The development is eagerly anticipated to take place in stages. Parcel A South is expected to break ground in 2025. It's a promising stride for the city, which is working towards its Regional Housing Needs Allocation of creating 1,391 new housing units by 2031 with a focus on affordable housing, which has been a persistent challenge across the region, part of this development will feature sustainable transportation options and green space, which are becoming increasingly planned elements of urban development as communities grapple with the climate crisis. "We are excited to contribute to the City's efforts to address the housing crisis, while also furthering multiple other community goals ranging from sustainable transportation and open space to potentially being able to partner in building a new El Cerrito Library", Ann Silverberg, CEO of Related NorCal Affordable, said. as per the City of El Cerrito.
