By tf-lawyer.com On October 17, construction officially began on the new affordable senior housing project located at the Lake Merritt BART station in Oakland’s Chinatown. This significant development comes 64 years after the demolition of 75 homes in the area in the 1960s for construction purposes. The new project will consist of 97 units, with 44 specifically designated for seniors at risk of homelessness.
The Lake Merritt BART senior housing initiative, which has been in the works for 16 years, is expected to be completed in approximately 21 months. This project is part of a larger transit-oriented development (TOD), which will include mixed-use spaces, community parks, and both commercial and residential buildings. It is anticipated to become a new gateway for Oakland’s Chinatown.
Janelle Chan, the CEO of the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC), the nonprofit organization spearheading the project, emphasized its importance. “This development will offer intergenerational housing, small business spaces, and community gathering areas. It reflects extensive community engagement and innovative public-private partnerships,” she stated. “The project will create a vibrant, interconnected corridor that brings the community together. In the mornings, you can see elders practicing Tai Chi, contrasting beautifully with the busy commuters.”
Robert Raburn, a BART board member, shared the ambitious goals set by the board to develop 20,000 housing units in collaboration with its parking lots and transit sites. “It may have seemed impossible at first, but thanks to our partners, we are making significant strides. In the 1960s, 75 homes were demolished here to facilitate current developments. This project marks the first step toward welcoming neighbors back to the Oakland area,” Raburn commented.
Mayor Sheng Tao recognized EBALDC as Oakland’s largest provider of affordable housing, also noting its role as the largest nonprofit commercial real estate provider in the East Bay. “Stable housing is essential for ensuring health and longevity. Without it, we fail to meet basic needs, leaving the most vulnerable—children and the elderly—without support,” the Mayor said.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee attended the groundbreaking event, highlighting the longstanding ties between housing issues and inequality, economic disparity, and social injustices. “To bridge these gaps, Washington is pushing measures like the deposit bill to assist low-income families with down payments. Historically, communities of color, including Oakland’s Chinatown, have faced housing struggles. Today, we are celebrating the reconnection and rebuilding of a community,” she remarked.
James Perez, a senior project manager with EBALDC’s real estate development team, acknowledged the complexities of constructing affordable housing above a busy BART station. He explained the need for meticulous planning and execution, ensuring geotechnical, soil, and structural engineering are done with precision to maintain the station’s long-term integrity. The total estimated cost for the project is $97 million, which is comparable to other affordable housing developments, attributed to early planning considerations.
He also noted that many affordable housing projects typically use low-cost wood materials, but rising insurance costs have impacted these developments significantly. In response, the company opted for concrete construction three and a half years ago, which, while more expensive, offers greater durability and lower insurance premiums compared to wood structures.
The event attracted several local officials, including BART board members, congressional candidate Lateefah Simon, Alameda County Board of Supervisors member Lena Tam, and Oakland City Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas.
