San Pablo Property Transformed
into a Good Neighbor
T
JLhi
East Bay Asian Local
Development Corporation,
California
he transformation of an industrial lot into affordable housing
units is the most recent accomplishment for the East Bay Asian
Local Development Corporation (EBALDC). The neighborhood
around the former Parker Trucking property, located in a former
industrial area, included an adjacent elementary school and a
residential neighborhood across the street. Recognizing the
property's potential, EBALDC bought the property in Fall 2004 with
the desire to transform the industrial lot into residential housing.
The 7-acre Parker Trucking site had a history of industrial uses
dating back to 1944. The site was once a railroad spur where
materials were offloaded from trains and transferred to cargo trucks.
In 1955, a truck washing facility was constructed on the site and
used until 2003. The property was also eventually used as a trucking
dispatch and storage yard. Operations ceased at the property in
2003, at which point EBALDC became interested in the property
because of its size (large, developable properties are rare in the San
Pablo area). Even as EBALDC investigated purchasing options and
contamination concerns at the property, people were illegally
dumping on the property, breaking into its vacant buildings, and
stealing items. In addition, the extent of the property's contamination
was unknown because of the diversity of uses and products brought
onto the site. An EPA Targeted Brownfields Assessment was
conducted on the property in 2003 to help classify contamination and
encourage redevelopment. With the assessment completed,
EBALDC purchased the property in 2004. In 2005, they demolished
six buildings on the site and oversaw the removal of several
underground storage tanks (USTs).
EBALDC split the property into two parcels, planning to sell one to a
private developer to build market-rate townhouses, and remaining as
owner of the second, for development into affordable housing. With
this promising redevelopment plan, EBALDC applied for and
received two $200,000 EPA Brownfields Cleanup grants, one in 2004
and the second in 2005. The funding was used to address soil
contamination including arsenic, chromium, lead, PCEs, and other
contaminants. Additional cleanup funding was leveraged by project
partners, including the City of San Pablo and a construction loan
continued ^
The former Parker Trucking company
before demolition.
JUST THE FACTS:
• EBALDC split the property into two
parcels, planning to sell one to a
private developer to build market-rate
townhouses, and remaining as owner
of the second, for development into
affordable housing.
Remediation cost approximately
$850,000 for both parcels and
included the removal of 6,800 tons
of contaminated soil that was
replaced with clean backfill.
• EBALDC sold a 4-acre parcel
to Pulte Homes, as planned, for
development of 74 market-rate
condominiums.
In addition to housing,
the affordable rental development
will include a child care center
and community room available to
the public, a playground, and
a landscaped courtyard.
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from U.S. Bank. Overall, remediation cost approximately $850,000 for both parcels and included the
removal of 6,800 tons of contaminated soil that was replaced with clean backfill. The parcels were
entered into the California Regional Water Quality Control Board voluntary cleanup program
and received a No Further Action letter from the state in November 2005.
Once cleanup was completed, EBALDC sold a 4-acre parcel to Pulte Homes, as
planned, for development of 74 market-rate townhouses. The money from the
sale helped to offset EBALDC's costs of the affordable housing
development. The two developers coordinated their building designs to
ensure that the two projects complimented each other. In addition to
housing, the affordable rental development will include a child care center
and community room available to the public, a playground, and a landscaped
courtyard. The two developers also updated the property's utilities and
surrounding roads, to provide improved access. During cleanup and
redevelopment, EBALDC ensured that neighborhood residents were
informed of activities, which allowed local stakeholders to ask questions or
provide feedback on the utility updates in the area.
CONTACTS:
For more information contact
U.S.EPAREGION9
(415)972-3092
Visit the EPA Brownfields Web site at:
http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/
This $27 million project received additional support from project partners
including the City of San Pablo (in the form of a low interest loan), U.S. Bank
(which provided a commercial rate loan), Contra Costa County (another low interest
loan), and the National Equity Fund (NEF) (through a tax credit program). Ener Chiu,
EBALDC project manager, states, "The significant accomplishment for this project was making the
deal happen between three land owners. It was critical to convince everyone that this project would
work and would be a benefit to the city." The neighborhood is already benefiting from the new project
by no longer having a facility generating hazardous waste next to the elementary school. The
improvements to the former industrial site and to surrounding roads and utilities will help increase
nearby property values as well.
The EBALDC development will meet a tremendous need for additional
rental housing for those who can not afford to purchase a home in the
San Pablo area. These are large, well finished, familyfriendly units
that incorporate green materials including linoleum floors (which
require no stripping or coatings) and low-petroleum containing
carpets. These affordable units opened in May 2007. The
market-rate housing already has 45 finished units and will
complete the remaining units by the end of 2007. The new use of
this former industrial property complements surrounding
development as well as the adjacent elementary school. It is likely
that these new developments will lead to an increased sense of
community and enhance the quality of life for surrounding residents.
Housing development and
courtyard area under construction.
Brownfields Success Story
East Bay Asian LDC, California
Solid Waste
and Emergency
Response (5105T)
EPA 560-F-07-208
June 2007
www. epa. gov/brownfields/
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