Report on the Ashby BART Station Redevelopment Project

Introduction and Project Mandate

The Adeline Alliance Team has been selected for the redevelopment of the Ashby Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Station site in Berkeley, Alameda County. The project is currently entering an exclusive negotiation agreement (ENA) phase. The proposal outlines the creation of a high-density, mixed-use development focused on integrating residential units, community services, and commercial space. This initiative is strategically aligned with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to create an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban hub.

Project Specifications and Design Concept

While the final design is subject to community feedback and masterplan development, the preliminary proposal includes the following key components:

• Total Residential Units: Approximately 618 apartments.
• Site Plan: Five structures, each proposed to be seven stories in height.
• Commercial Space: Approximately 25,000 square feet designated for retail and office use.

Housing Allocation

The residential component is designed to address housing inequality and provide diverse living options:

1. Market-Rate Apartments: Two buildings.
2. Affordable Family Housing: Two complexes.
3. Senior Affordable Housing: One dedicated project.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Ashby BART redevelopment project demonstrates a strong commitment to achieving critical SDGs through its core design and objectives.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The project is a prime example of transit-oriented development (TOD), which is fundamental to achieving SDG 11. By concentrating housing and services around a major public transit node, the development promotes:

• Reduced reliance on private vehicles, leading to lower carbon emissions.
• Creation of a compact, walkable, and resource-efficient urban environment.
• Enhanced access to safe, affordable, and sustainable transport systems for all residents.

SDG 1: No Poverty & SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The project directly confronts economic and social disparities through its housing strategy:

• Affordable Housing: A fifty-fifty split between market-rate and affordable units ensures access to safe and secure housing for low-income families and individuals, contributing to poverty reduction.
• Inclusive Community: By integrating affordable units for families and seniors with market-rate housing, the project fosters a socially mixed community, directly addressing the goal of reducing inequalities within the city.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being & SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The development plan incorporates elements that support community well-being and local economic vitality:

• Community Health: The inclusion of dedicated senior housing and proximity to essential services like the Ed Roberts Center for Independent Living and grocery stores supports the health and well-being of all age groups.
• Economic Opportunities: The 25,000 square feet of retail and office space will create local jobs and stimulate economic activity, contributing to sustained and inclusive economic growth.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The project’s structure exemplifies a multi-stakeholder partnership essential for sustainable development. It involves a collaboration between:

• Public Sector: The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) District.
• Private Sector: The Adeline Alliance Partners, a joint venture comprising Relequity (The Pacific Companies, Strategic Urban Development Alliance, and Resource for Community Development).
• Design Consortium: A team including DIALOG, Urban International Studios, PYATOK, Yes Community Architects, and Plural Studio.

Current Status and Future Outlook

The project is in its preliminary stages. Following the finalization of the ENA, the Adeline Alliance Team will proceed with a comprehensive community engagement process to inform the design of the masterplan. This collaborative approach ensures the final development will reflect both the strategic goals of the city and the direct needs of the community it serves.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the Ashby BART Station redevelopment project addresses and connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary focus on creating a mixed-use, high-density development with affordable housing in an urban transit hub directly relates to the goals for sustainable cities, poverty reduction, economic growth, and infrastructure.

• SDG 1: No Poverty – By providing affordable housing, the project addresses a key component of poverty reduction, which is access to basic services and secure housing.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The inclusion of commercial and retail space aims to foster local economic activity and create jobs.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – The project is an example of developing sustainable and integrated infrastructure by building upon an existing public transit system.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – This is the most relevant SDG, as the project directly involves urban planning, housing, public transportation, and community-focused development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the details provided in the article, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
   • The article explicitly states the project’s goal is to create “roughly six hundred units” with a “fifty-fifty mix of affordable and market-rate units,” including dedicated “affordable family complexes” and a “senior affordable housing project.” This directly contributes to increasing the supply of affordable housing.
2. Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.
   • The development is centered around the “Ashby BART Station,” a major public transit hub. By creating a “densely packed mixed-use hub” at this location, the project promotes the use of public transportation for its future residents and commercial tenants.
3. Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
   • The project is described as a “densely packed mixed-use hub that ties together community needs.” Furthermore, the article mentions that the next steps include “seeking community feedback and designing the masterplan,” which points to a participatory and integrated planning process.
4. Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation.
   • The plan to include “Roughly 25,000 square feet of leasable retail and office space” aims to diversify the local economy by creating a hub for commercial activity alongside residential use.
5. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
   • The project redevelops land adjacent to the “Ashby BART Station,” enhancing the utility and integration of this key piece of public transport infrastructure into the community fabric.
6. Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services.
   • The provision of “affordable family complexes” and “senior affordable housing” directly targets vulnerable populations, aiming to provide them with access to the basic service of secure housing.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• For Target 11.1 (Affordable Housing):
  • Indicator: Number of new housing units created. The article specifies “roughly six hundred units” or “618 apartments.”
  • Indicator: Proportion of affordable housing units. The article states a “fifty-fifty mix of affordable and market-rate units.”
  • Indicator: Provision of housing for vulnerable groups. The plan includes “one senior affordable housing project.”
• For Target 11.3 (Sustainable Urbanization):
  • Indicator: Land use efficiency. The project is described as “densely packed,” with “five structures reaching seven stories tall” on a “four-acre project site.” This data can be used to measure the density of the development.
  • Indicator: Level of community participation. The plan involves “seeking community feedback,” which is a qualitative measure of inclusive planning.
• For Target 11.2 (Sustainable Transport):
  • Indicator: Proximity to public transport. The project’s location is “adjacent to the Ashby BART Station,” providing a direct measure of access for its 618 residential units.
• For Target 8.2 (Economic Productivity):
  • Indicator: Amount of new commercial space created. The article specifies “Roughly 25,000 square feet of leasable retail and office space.”

4. Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: sfyimby.com