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Summer 2007
Dan Sawislak, RCD executive director
Housing Development News Margaret Breland Homes on San Pablo near Dwight in Berkeley has an eye catching exterior that complements the lively senior community inside. In “Region’s Best Design Isn’t Just for the Rich,” San Francisco Chronicle Urban Design Writer John King pointed to what he calls a surprising aspect of today’s urban design, “Many of the most progressive buildings – both in appearance and function – are designed expressly for low-and moderate income residents.” What a tribute to all who share our commitment to beautiful, quality homes for those with the fewest housing options! Read the article here. Anne Phillips Architecture, Oliver & Company, and RCD were honored with a Design Merit Award from the American Institute of Architects, San Francisco, and PCBC’s Gold Nugget Grand Award for Best Affordable Project for Breland as well. More info on the AIA and Gold Nugget websites. Construction at Fox Courts began in late August. Selected by the City of Oakland as the nonprofit developer for “Parcel 6” in the Uptown District in downtown Oakland in early 2005, RCD is proud to announce the successful construction and land closing on August 16th. This exciting new addition to the Uptown District will add 80 units of affordable housing, some of which are for people with special needs. It includes onsite childcare and an arts center to be operated by the Museum of Children’s Art. Adjacent to the restored historic Fox Theatre, Fox Courts joins a vibrant new community of more than 800 market rate apartments and condos as well as new neighborhood-serving retail establishments and a park.
Oxford Plaza and Retail and the David Brower Center broke ground in early April. The multi-use project at the edge of Berkeley’s downtown and campus will be anchored by 97 units of affordable housing for families and a world class center for environmental and progressive non-profit organizations. The housing component of the project will help satisfy the overwhelming demand for affordable housing for Berkeley’s workforce and their families – teachers, public service employees, and administrative personnel – who work in downtown Berkeley or commute by BART. The David Brower Center and Oxford Plaza, with its 8,500 square feet of retail on the ground floor and residences above, will enliven Berkeley’s downtown and support the diversity of housing types and residents that makes for a dynamic and balanced urban environment. Construction is scheduled to be completed in January 2009.
Resident Services News We celebrated National Night Out at Northgate Apartments in Oakland and Camara Circle in Concord on August 7. Over 150 residents turned out to enjoy a community barbeque in recognition of this national effort to generate awareness and support for local anticrime programs. Thanks to the volunteers, staff, and members of the Oakland Police and Fire Departments for helping make it a fun evening.
Sometimes it’s a small thing that makes a difference in a person’s life by creating an opening for other opportunities. During a recent outreach visit, Resident Services Coordinator Paola Laird asked one of our tenants for a pen. She was surprised when the resident opened the dishwasher to get it. “I asked her if the dishwasher was broken and she told me she didn’t know how to use it. She was so happy when I showed her how to use it. And now three other women have asked me to show them,” said Paola. “I feel from this one small thing we build trust so other good things will happen for them.” Janice King, our services coordinator at Bella Monte, agrees that small interventions can be really important. “One of our residents lost half her income and was late with several of her rent payments. We discussed her budget in detail and discovered that she is managing her money in the best way possible. She and I discussed the problem with the property managers and were able to find a payment arrangement that will work for her as well as them. She was grateful that she didn’t have to leave Bella Monte; she has lived there with her family since it opened in 2005.” Outreach visits are an opportunity to identify and resolve issues that can seem overwhelming.
Thank you to our generous sponsors and supporters who made our annual event a huge success – a fun community gathering that raised an incredible $63,000 for Resident Services, benefiting more than 2,100 people!
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© 2007
Resources for Community Development |
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