A mixed-income, mixed-use development of three city blocks of BART surface parking at El Cerrito Plaza Station presents a rare opportunity to bring desperately-needed attainable housing at all income levels to one of the most transit- and amenity-rich neighborhoods in the region. Through a highly community-engaged process, PYATOK and the rest of the project team is developing a master plan and entitlement documents for new construction at this site that maximizes housing opportunity while introducing dynamic public spaces, retail and civic functions, connections to multi-modal transit and the Ohlone Greenway, and context-sensitive architecture that strengthens the urban core of downtown El Cerrito.

The master plan will build on the concepts established in BART & El Cerrito’s 2014 San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan and on the goals and objectives identified in public meetings held in 2019. The proposed concepts include approximately 750-800 units of housing (35% of which reserved for families earning up to 60% Area Median Income (AMI), plus 15% "missing middle" housing), public open spaces, innovative financing approaches, and overall integration into the existing neighborhood. As part of the design process, community conversations are being held on components such as BART parking and the inclusion of a public library.

The project will contribute to BART’s systemwide plan to develop 20,000 housing units (35% affordable) on its property by 2040.

Development Team

• Market-Rate Developer: Holliday Development
• Affordable Developers: Related CA & SAHA
• Architects: PYATOK & VMWP
• Landscape: EinwillerKeuhl