History This development was undertaken by a local non-profit community development corporation, the Unity Council. Previously, this neighborhood had been suffering economic decline and the area directly surrounding the transit station was considered unsafe and lacked connectivity to the rest of the community. In addition, this development also benefitted from the ability to acquire and redevelop two vacant lots owned by the BART system. The neighborhood surrounding the Fruitvale station was increasingly diverse in terms of income as well as demographics; the area was home to Program The nonprofit corporation sought the development of this project as part a revitalization strategy to redevelop the area surrounding the station and make greater connections between the station and an existing commercial corridor, International Boulevard. Fruitvale Village was constructed on four acres in 2004 and contains two mixed use buildings containing almost 40,000 square feet of ground floor retail surround a public plaza connecting from International Boulevard through to the transit station. The retail was geared towards enhancing neighborhood choices as well as providing for convenience retail for transit users. It also includes 47 units of mixed income housing, including 37 market rate units and 10 affordable units that were constructed above the retail. Another significant portion of the program was devoted to community space; 114,000 square feet include a clinic, library, senior center and office space. Key Takeaways Fruitvale Village benefitted from the ability to leverage public funding sources including TIF financing as well as grants from the Department of Housing & Urban Development. In addition, its land acquisition was facilitated by the ability to acquire BART-owned property in exchange for land already owned by the Unity Council.
Crane Arts Building in Kensington provides studio and work space to Philadelphia artists
Undertaken by a partnership between a private developer and local artists, Crane Arts has become an asset to the arts community in this area
Fruitvale Village combines a public plaza and retail space to enhance ridership
Fruitvale Village is a example of the ability to transform ridership through providing a new retail and residential node directly adjacent to the station. In addition, it demonstrates the nexus between affordable housing, urban revitalization, and transit strategy. Finally, Fruitvale Village has successfully influenced the adjacent commercial corridors and integrated transit into the daily rhythms of an increasingly vibrant, residential neighborhood. This TOD has successfully attracted residents to its mixed income housing.
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