PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The project includes two buildings - constructed in two phases - with a combined total of 225 residential units with 30% designated as affordable, along with public, common, and private open space creating an interconnected campus. 

Phase II – 11690 San Pablo Avenue - Ground breaking Winter 2024: The five story north building proposed by Bridge Housing will provide 69 below market rate units with levels of affordability ranging from 30% to 60% of area median income. This building will contain 15 studios, 18 one bedrooms, 18 two bedrooms, and 18 three bedrooms. It will also include property management and service offices and amenity space for its residents. Construction is expected to begin late 2024 and be completed in early 2026. To receive affordable housing waitlist notifications, please subscribe to the Community Development eNews by visiting www.el-cerrito.org/CommDev.

Phase I – 11600 San Pablo Avenue - Completed Fall 2022: 156 units of market-rate rental housing units plus 8,893 square feet of commercial space; click here for more information.

Pedestrian access will primarily be through mews which connect the main lobby of both buildings. The north building will also be accessible from San Pablo Avenue and Knott Avenue. Some ground-floor apartments in the north building will also have direct street access on Knott Avenue and Kearney Street. Additional access to the south building will be through three secure points from the parking garage and a ground-floor access door on Cutting Boulevard at the southern corner of the parking garage.
 
Vehicle parking for residents, commercial/retail owners, and employees will be located in an enclosed two-level parking garage under the south building; behind the San Pablo Avenue commercial uses. Vehicles will enter the site from Kearny Street. A total of 348 long-term bicycle parking spaces secured inside each building for residents and 46 commercial bicycle parking spaces are proposed to be located in front of retail frontages on San Pablo Avenue.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDING 

As of May 2023, BRIDGE Housing and City staff have partnered to secure funding commitments from the following sources: 

• Contra Costa County: Measure X Housing Fund (2023)
• State of California Infill Infrastructure Grant Program (2023)
• State of California: Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities Program (2022)
• Contra Costa County: Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program (2022) 
• Contra Costa Housing Authority: Project-Based Vouchers for 17 units (2022)
• U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development: Hope VI Main Street Program (2021) 
• City of El Cerrito Affordable Housing Trust Fund: Predevelopment Loan (2019) 

The last round of funding applications includes the California Tax Credit Programs. Once the final funding sources are secured, this 69-unit affordable housing project is targeting to break ground late-2024. 

Subscribe to the Community Development e-Newsletter for affordable housing waitlist notifications.

PUBLIC PROCESS

 This project is a Tier IV Design Review project under the San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan.

The project received its final approval on August 2, 2017.

• August 2, 2017 Staff Report

PROJECT MATERIALS

• Project Plans

For more information on this project, contact the Planning Division.