Redwood City affordable housing project to be rebuilt after devastating fire
Redwood City affordable housing project to be rebuilt after devastating fire NBC Bay AreaMassive Fire Destroys Affordable Housing Construction Near Redwood City KQEDInvestigation launched after affordable housing building in $155m project burns to the ground Yahoo! Voices
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Devastating Fire Strikes Housing Complex Under Construction
Despite a devastating fire that ripped through a housing complex under construction near Redwood City on Monday, developers are set on completing the project, they said Tuesday.
Background
The eight-alarm fire in North Fair Oaks burned in the 2700 block of Middlefield Road and destroyed building B of the planned affordable housing structure, which was part of the Middlefield Junction strategic plan for the area.
Developer’s Response
“This has been devastating to us and much more traumatic than was expected,” said Scott Smith, director of the James E. Roberts-Obayashi Corporation, which is the site’s developer. Smith said his company has never experienced this level of disaster in its 92-year history.
Within three hours, 104 of the total 179 units were “destroyed by fire down to the podium slab,” Smith said. Construction workers trying to extinguish it at first could not keep up with the growing flames. Miraculously, the 130 workers on site and surrounding structures were left unharmed, Smith said.
Appreciation for First Responders
San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus took to social media Tuesday to express her appreciation for first responders.
“This loss could have been so much worse had it not been for the heroic actions of all of our Sheriff’s Office personnel who quickly evacuated nearby residents as well as the firefighters who amazingly prevented the fire from spreading to nearby homes and buildings,” she said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
Partnership with Mercy Housing
The Middlefield Junction project was being built in partnership with Mercy Housing, a national nonprofit that establishes low-income, affordable housing developments across the country.
Commitment to Rebuilding
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President Warren Slocum advocated for the project 10 years ago in the unincorporated community of North Fair Oaks as their district’s representative. Slocum said he is deeply saddened by the fire as it means that families in need will have to wait longer to move in.
“Me and the developer are 100% committed to rebuilding for those families that will eventually occupy that affordable housing unit,” Slocum said.
Continuation of Construction
Roberts-Obayashi Corp. fully intends to continue construction after a complete investigation on the fire’s cause, Smith said.
Importance of Emergency Preparedness
“Be prepared for emergencies like a fire. Be prepared,” Slocum said.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.1 By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums | The article mentions the planned affordable housing structure that was destroyed by the fire, highlighting the need for access to adequate and safe housing. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.2 By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities, and older persons | No specific indicators related to this target are mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 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 article mentions the Middlefield Junction strategic plan for the area, which indicates efforts towards sustainable urbanization and human settlement planning. |
| SDG 1: No Poverty | 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, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance | The article mentions the partnership with Mercy Housing, a national nonprofit that establishes low-income, affordable housing developments, indicating efforts towards providing equal access to basic services and affordable housing for the poor and vulnerable. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.6 Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels | No specific indicators related to this target are mentioned in the article. |
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Fuente: nbcbayarea.com
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