Project
The proposed project at the former California College of the Arts site is referenced as including a half-acre public space with a large open lawn, pathways, sitting areas, sculpture garden, and an indoor space for community gatherings. Mentioned as an example of a development that could add to Rockridge's open space inventory.
Site group: CCA / former CCA Oakland campus
5212 Broadway (east side of Broadway, north of Shops at the Ridge)
CCA plans to vacate its historic four-acre Oakland campus at Broadway and College Avenue over the next five years and consolidate onto a single San Francisco campus spanning Dogpatch, Potrero Hill, and the Mission. CCA is exploring alternative uses and partnerships for the Oakland campus, including possibly affordable artist housing/studio space.
CCA, planning to move entirely to San Francisco within a couple of years, presented preliminary re-use plans for its 4-acre Oakland campus (the former Treadwell Estate). Plans envisioned an art walk, sculptor garden, a north-south promenade flanked by as many as 500-600 new housing units, and an overlook area. The site would need rezoning and a 2-3 year environmental review process.
California College of the Arts (CCA) is advancing plans to redevelop its former Oakland campus at 5212 Broadway. The proposal includes almost 600 residential units including a 19-story tower, with several historic buildings dating to 1907 to be preserved. CCA representatives were invited to present updated plans at the November RCPC Town Hall.
Neighbors organized as the Upper Broadway Advocates (UBA) in response to the CCA/Emerald Fund/Community Equity Partners proposal to develop the CCA Oakland campus into a dense, primarily market-rate housing complex of 589 units in four buildings five to eight stories tall, a five-story parking garage, and a 19-story tower. UBA hosted community meetings and opposed the current plan while supporting increased affordable housing and preservation of the artistic heritage of the site.
The CCA/Emerald Fund redevelopment proposal entered formal EIR scoping. The project entails preserving the historic Treadwell Mansion, carriage house, entry gate, original CCA building on Clifton St., and ~1.7 acres of open space, while adding nearly 600 residential units (mostly market-rate rentals) across multiple buildings, one of which is 19 stories. The Planning Commission tabled discussion to October. UBA held two community meetings attended by over 200 neighbors and submitted counter-proposals. RCPC submitted a scoping comment letter.
Emerald Fund and Equity Community Builders propose to redevelop the California College of the Arts' 4-acre Oakland campus with approximately 600 residential units including a 19-story glass-and-steel tower, additional 5–8 story buildings, and some affordable/arts space. An EIR scoping hearing was held October 16 at City Hall. The grassroots group Upper Broadway Advocates (UBA) formed in opposition, holding two public meetings attended by nearly 200 people.
The long-delayed EIR scoping hearing before the Planning Commission was held. About 70 speakers appeared, split roughly equally between supporters and opponents, though most Rockridge residents who identified themselves opposed the project. Opponents objected primarily to the 19-story tower, the paucity of affordable units (95% market-rate), and expected parking/traffic impacts. RCPC reviewed the scoping comments and identified non-obvious EIR issues including emergency access with only a single vehicle access point.
The EIR process is ongoing. The RCPC Land Use Committee voted to recommend retaining a traffic and transportation consultant to evaluate the EIR's analysis. Multiple letters to the editor debated the project's scale (one 19-story tower and five more 6-14 story buildings, 586 apartments total), the near-total clear-cutting of mature trees, the paucity of affordable units (35 affordable vs. 554 luxury), and the demolition of repurposable historic buildings. One letter proposed a Presidio-style planning process instead.
The EIR is underway and expected to take six months to a year to complete. The January Land Use Committee meeting agenda includes discussion of the Legislature's further consideration of transit-area upzoning through a revised SB 50 (Wiener/Skinner) and the Rockridge Housing Study. Extensive letters to the editor debate NIMBY/YIMBY/SIMBY positions. The CCA project is described as 554 new market-rate units in four 5-8 story buildings plus one 19-story tower, plus 35 affordable units (6% of total), requiring rezoning from 35 feet to up to 190 feet.
Multiple letters to the editor discuss a proposed redevelopment of the CCA Oakland campus that includes a 19-story tower with promises of historic preservation and green space. Community letters express strong opposition to the tower height and raise questions about CCA's obligations as a historic nonprofit.
Community group Upper Broadway Advocates (UBA) presented a project alternative to the RCPC Land Use Committee. The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is currently in preparation. RCPC is unlikely to take a position until the Draft EIR is publicly released and has issued an RFP for a transportation consultant to review it.
Developers Emerald Fund and Equity Community Builders presented heavily revised plans for the CCA Oakland campus redevelopment. The original 19-story tower has been eliminated; new plans call for 300–450 residential units in buildings up to 6–8 stories, commercial space, and 1.85 acres of public open space. Affordable units reduced to 10% moderate-income at most; 35 affordable artist units removed.
Extensive follow-up coverage including a detailed interview with developer Marc Babsin of Emerald Fund and two letters to the editor. Developer confirms elimination of tower (max height now 85 ft), park expanded to 1.85 acres, base scenario of 462 homes with 10% onsite moderate-income units, and that the EIR draft is expected November/December. Clifton Hall dormitory is being sold separately by CCA. Shops at the Ridge Phase 2 is stalled and not coordinated with CCA plans.
Referenced in context of the Clifton Hall purchase article and in community member opinions. The dormitory option expired once the development team downsized the CCA campus project, and the building was put on the market separately. Community members express desire for more truly affordable units in the main campus redevelopment.
The CCA Campus Redevelopment EIR is being prepared; RCPC's traffic consultant is reviewing background information in advance of the draft EIR release. Changes to the project design had put prior consultant work on hold but a new design is now in place.
Upper Broadway Advocates (UBA) presented a slide show of architectural and design elements to the development team (Emerald Fund, Equity Community Builders, SCB Architects), advocating for human-scale buildings of seven stories or less with Arts and Crafts character. The draft EIR is expected soon, with City Council potentially making a final decision by late 2022 and construction possible in 2023, with completion in 2025. RCPC is awaiting the DEIR before taking a position and has submitted scoping questions and hired a transportation consultant.
Emerald Fund and Equity Community Builders presented an update to the RCPC Land Use Committee on plans to redevelop the California College of the Arts' Oakland campus. The developer confirmed a maximum height of 8 stories (90 feet), withdrew the 190-foot tower variant from the application, and reported economic conditions had worsened, making the project unfinanceable in the near term. Plans now call for permanent design guidelines rather than a historic area-zoning overlay.
Ongoing redevelopment of the now-closed CCA Oakland campus by developer Emerald Fund. New architectural firm Mithun hired, CMG Landscape Architects engaged for landscaping, and Oakland Planning Commission's Design Review Subcommittee commissioned SiteLab Urban Studio for design standards. Draft EIR expected before year-end. Community group UBA advocating for no more than seven stories and 20% affordable units.
The former California College of the Arts (CCA) campus in Rockridge was sold in 2017 to a housing developer who plans to preserve the historic Treadwell Mansion but otherwise redevelop the site for housing. The article notes this is one of several major 'opportunity sites' in Rockridge. A separate Look Around column notes that the heritage Eucalyptus trees on the site are threatened by the proposed development.
The proposed residential development on the former CCA campus is referenced by the new LUC chair as an active issue. A Look Around column provides new detail: the developers plan to cut down the large heritage Eucalyptus globulus trees — among the largest trees in Rockridge — along with many other trees on the site.
Emerald Fund proposes 510 units of new housing on the former California College of the Arts campus at 5212 Broadway. Only 10% of units would be affordable (moderate-income only); plan calls for buildings up to 90 feet (8 stories) with a 21-story EIR alternative; EIR and City commission hearings expected in fall 2022.
The CCA development project's design guidelines were reviewed by the City's Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board (LPAB) on September 12. The LPAB expressed discomfort with the proposal to demolish most historic buildings on the CCA campus (an Area of Primary Importance) to build 510 units. The majority of LPAB members indicated they could not support the project as proposed; the item was continued and LPAB was set to meet again October 10.
The CCA site housing proposal is referenced in the rally and community discussion as a related site to the Ridge. Rally speakers criticized the CCA proposal for insufficient affordability (requiring $157,000/year family income for 'affordable' units) and called for lower-income housing. The site is in the design phase.
The CCA site development is in the design phase. Naomi Schiff of the Oakland Heritage Alliance (OHA) discusses weaknesses in the latest draft design guidelines submitted by developer Emerald Fund, including the proposed demolition of all ten CCA-era buildings (an Area of Primary Importance), removal of 97 trees, inadequate traffic mitigation on Clifton Street, and insufficient affordability. The LPAB does not currently support the project; the EIR has not yet been released. The Planning Commission will make recommendations and City Council will act on approvals after the EIR.
The development proposal at the former California College of the Arts (CCA) site is expected to go through approval hearings later in 2023. RCPC plans to stay involved in the process. The site is referenced alongside The Ridge and JCC as a key opportunity site for housing.
The CCA site is referenced in a letter to the editor as one of three major opportunity sites in Rockridge (along with BART and The Ridge) that should provide affordable and moderate housing. A letter writer argues the current CCA proposal does not meet that bar and suggests a trust-based financing model.
Proposal to construct 448 rental apartments on the former California College of the Arts campus at 5212 Broadway at College Avenue, including 1.5 acres of public open space. Project was undergoing Environmental Impact Report hearings before the Oakland Planning Commission and Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board at the time of publication, with final approval expected later in 2024.
A community letter raises safety and emergency access concerns about the proposed CCA campus development. The writer argues that Building B's sole egress via narrow Clifton Street is inadequate for emergency vehicles, and proposes a second access road via an extension of Coronado Avenue through the site. The project is described as bringing approximately 760 residents to Rockridge when fully occupied.
Emerald Fund proposes 448-unit mixed-use residential project on the former California College of the Arts campus, with studios, one- and two-bedroom units, 10% affordable, and a 1.5-acre dedicated public green space preserving historic Macky Hall. Developer stated construction is unlikely for two to three years due to adverse market conditions. The Final EIR was not yet available.
The former CCA campus redevelopment for 448 homes, offices, and open space is mentioned as currently undergoing the EIR review process, referenced as context for the adjacent Ridge Phase II article.
The Oakland Planning Commission voted to advance the CCA project to City Council, including the Final Environmental Impact Report, a Final Development Plan, and Conditions of Approval. Developer Marc Babsin of Emerald Fund stated entitlements are being pursued and construction would begin once market conditions improve.
The City Council was set to consider the Broadway/College CCA project in December. Upper Broadway Advocates (UBA) described their advocacy history: they had opposed the originally proposed 19-story tower and successfully pushed for a reduction to 7-9 stories with 448 units. The developer would provide only the legally required minimum of 5% very low-income affordable units.
The former California College of Arts campus (5212 Broadway) has been sold to a for-profit developer for redevelopment. A letter to the editor raises obstacles: the site sits on a former rock quarry (bedrock, difficult excavation/anchoring) and CCA used sale proceeds for its SF campus expansion, adding to redevelopment cost.
The proposed project at the former California College of the Arts site is referenced as including a half-acre public space with a large open lawn, pathways, sitting areas, sculpture garden, and an indoor space for community gatherings. Mentioned as an example of a development that could add to Rockridge's open space inventory.
“Planning for the California College of the Arts (CCA) campus development plans is advancing. CCA representatives will be at the town hall meeting to present updated development plans for the reuse/redevelopment of the college's former Oakland campus to the Rockridge community. The proposal includes almost 600 units of housing, including a 19-story tower.”2018_11 - RCPC November Town Hall agenda item 1
“Located on the East side of Broadway just north of Shops at the Ridge, the campus is recognized for several historic buildings dating to the college's founding in 1907 as the California College of Arts and Crafts (CCAC).”2018_11 - RCPC November Town Hall agenda description
“Oakland needs more housing, especially affordable housing including mid- to high-rise structures. However, we do not want a 19-story sore thumb that provides only 35 'affordable' artist's studios out of 589 units.”2019_07 - UBA statement
“we do not want a 19-story sore thumb that provides only 35 'affordable' artist's studios out of 589 units. If we are vigilant and insistent, we can minimize negative impacts on the neighborhood.”2019_07 - UBA statement in article 'CCA Neighbors Form Development Advocacy Group'
“Opinions varied, but the vast majority felt the project could be substantially improved. The top five concerns were: 1) Traffic congestion, weak transit infrastructure, and inadequate parking; 2) Aesthetics that reject Rockridge's scale and style; 3) Grossly insufficient affordable housing; 4) Re-zoning that would severely increase density and encourage other extreme height buildings; and 5) Questionable fire/life safety and ADA access to the site.”2019_09 - UBA Steering Committee statement