San Leandro

Business is Booming for BART

Editor2 — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

By : Jim Knowles

here’s a lot of gloomy talk about the economy but business has never been better for BART.

More people than ever are commuting on Bay Area Rapid Transit, said Bob Franklin, a member of the BART board of directors. But the increase in passengers – up to 380,000 riders a day – is presenting other problems for BART.

“Daily ridership is up now,” Franklin said. “People in some areas are fighting for a BART station, but here in San Leandro, you have two stations.”

But with the added passengers, BART is taking out some seats on trains and adding more handrails, meaning more standing and less sitting during peak hours.

San Leandro development proposal draws mixed reaction

Editor2 — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

By Martin Ricard

SAN LEANDRO — In its inaugural meeting with the public, the developer for the city's first transit-oriented development project was met with cheers and jeers as it laid out the proposed plans and tried to gain feedback from residents.

Many of the objectors were residents of the Pacific Plaza condominium complex near the BART station. They said they vehemently opposed the development proposal because they feared it would attract an influx of low-income residents and drag down property values.

Meeting Tonight on TOD Project

Editor2 — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

A public meeting will be held at 6:30 tonight (Thursday) at the San Leandro Main Library to discuss San Leandro Crossings, the first project of the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) area around the BART station.

The project developers – Westlake Development Partners, Bridge Housing Corp., and Build LLC – will introduce themselves, explain the project, and listen to ideas.

The project includes two sites:

Site 1: The current BART parking lot at the corner of West Juana Avenue and San Leandro Boulevard where 200 market rate residential units are planned; and

Site 2: The west side of the BART station where 100 affordable residential units and a mix of one- and three-bedroom units will be built.

Westlake Development Partners, LLC Awarded Major Grant From the California Department of Housing and Community Development

Editor2 — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

San Mateo Firm Receives $24.7 Million to Create Housing and Mixed-Use Properties Along San Leandro’s Downtown Transit-Rich Corridor

Survey Says That Some Landlords Discriminate

Editor2 — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

By: Amy Sylvestri

The Eden Council for Hope and Opportunity (ECHO) recently revealed the results of their annual fair housing audit, and over one-quarter of properties tested in San Leandro showed a racial bias.

ECHO tests landlords and real estate agents around the Bay Area to determine if they treat renters differently because of gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, and several other factors.

“The ECHO program is nonprofit and I think our practices are fairly standard to other housing organizations around the county,” said Angie Watson-Hajjem, the group’s fair housing specialist.

San Leandro may redefine community input on redevelopment projects

Editor2 — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:15:34 -0500

By Martin Ricard

SAN LEANDRO — A committed group of residents and property and business owners have helped set the policies and priorities for a number of the city's redevelopment projects over the years — by serving as members of advisory committees.

But lately, now that many projects have been completed, some are beginning to wonder: What role do the redevelopment advisory committees play for both the Joint and West San Leandro-MacArthur Boulevard project areas?

City officials hope to answer that question by figuring out the best way to maintain community input on redevelopment projects without wasting committee members' time or putting unnecessary burdens on city staff.

Ballot measure strategy still undecided in San Leandro

Editor2 — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

By Martin Ricard

SAN LEANDRO — There is little doubt that come this November, residents here will most likely be voting on a ballot measure. The only question that remains is: Which one?

The City Council, facing a $9 million budget deficit this fiscal year and, like many other cities, further economic uncertainty in the coming years, is considering three potential measures to shield the city from declining revenues: an extension of the utility users tax, a 9-1-1 fee ordinance and a public safety parcel tax.

All three would need two-thirds voter approval, and the council has until Aug. 8 to decide whether to place something on the ballot.

Can trees thwart thieves? Planners think maybe

Editor2 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

By Martin Ricard

SAN LEANDRO — Ever wonder how a plant strategically placed near a walkway or a fresh coat of paint could deter someone from stealing your car?

Planners with the city of San Leandro, Alameda County and BART have all been pondering this concept. And as part of a yearlong effort to study and improve the safety and security around the Bayfair station, they are looking to share their ideas with residents on how adding a few environmental touches to the area surrounding BART could make it a safer place in which to live, work and walk.

San Leandro Council Declares Wednesday And Thursday "Dump The Pump" Days

Editor2 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500

SAN LEANDRO -- The San Leandro City Council has declared today and Thursday as "Dump the Pump" days in the city, joining public agencies in the Bay Area and nationwide.

The campaign, sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association, strives to educate residents about how riding public transportation can save money, conserve gasoline and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The nationwide Dump the Pump day is Thursday and more than 125 public transit agencies, including many from the Bay Area, are on board.

The City Council decided to expand the effort beyond the national campaign to include today, said city spokeswoman Jan McCrea.

San Leandro council gets look at county transit plan

Editor2 — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:53:27 -0500

By Martin Ricard

Leandro BART station. Up to Georgia Way, buses would be isolated from other traffic by a curb, and would use station platforms in the center of the roadway. Along other parts of the corridor, sidewalk stations would be erected to accompany the buses.

The city has mostly favored this version because, even though some parking would be lost, traffic along the rest of East 14th would not be affected as much.