Creating a Great Community along San Pablo Ave

The City of El Cerrito and City of Richmond are currently developing a Specific Plan along the San Pablo Avenue (SPA) Corridor shared by both cities. The plan area serves as a major commercial corridor and transportation hub including the El Cerrito and Del Norte BART stations and its connecting bus lines, the San Pablo Rapid Bus line, and I-80. The SPA Planning process represents a major opportunity to create a more pedestrian and bike-friendly “grand boulevard” that:

• Is served by a variety of transit options
• Contains vibrant mixed-use commercial development
• Offers residents adequate parks and green space for recreation
• Provides housing choices that meet the needs of all residents

Planning Process

The SPA Specific Plan is collaborative effort between the cities of Richmond and El Cerrito and includes representatives from BART and AC Transit. In addition to staff from the respective Planning Departments the planning process is being guided by the San Pablo Avenue Advisory Committee (SPAAC). The SPAAC, which includes elected officials, business owners and residents, meets approximately every four months to discuss the status of the planning process and these meetings are open to the public.

In addition, the city of Richmond is also updating its General Plan. For more information on this planning process please visit the city’s website.

The consulting firm MIG has been contracted to assist Richmond and El Cerrito in conducting outreach to the community as well as planning and conducting Advisory Committee meetings and Community Workshops.

Community Participation

Urban Habitat is working with a range of community based organizations – including faith-based and environmental groups, neighborhood councils and other partners in the plan area to increase community engagement in the development of the SPA Specific Plan.

In order ensure that local residents from Richmond and El Cerrito are organized, informed and can meaningfully participate in the San Pablo Avenue Planning process Urban Habitat is partnering with the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP) to increase community engagement through a series of workshops and by participating in city community outreach activities.

Getting involved

• Attend a meeting of the San Pablo Avenue Advisory Committee (SPAAC) or a future Community Workshop. (See chart below)
• Visit the Richmond and El Cerrito city websites to learn more about the Specific Plan process and contact their Planning Departments and ask to be put on their mailing lists so you receive important information about the Specific Plan process.
• Participate in GRIP’s Community Advocacy Committee. Activities include Leadership Institutes in which you’ll learn more about Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and how the community can create a plan that is equitable and includes housing for all residents, better transportation choices, more green space and is more walkable and pedestrian friendly. Contact Art Hatchett, Executive Director of GRIP at (510) 233-2141 x302 or by e-mail
  
  
• Participate in Health Opportunity Assessment workshops that will assist the community to develop a set of public health priorities to be included in the San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan. Check back soon for the exact date or contact Bob Allen to sign-up.
• Sign Up to receive updates and action alerts by contacting Urban Habitat’s Transportation and Housing Program Director, Bob Allen at (510) 839-3716.

Contact Information

Urban Habitat
Bob Allen (510) 839 -3716
bob (at) urbanhabitat.org

Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP)
Art Hatchett, Executive Director (510) 233-2141 x302
ajhatchett (at) gripcommunity.org

City of El Cerrito
Planning Department (510) 215-4330

City of Richmond Planning Department
Planning Department (510) 620-6706