Background

When the BART system expands to Eastern Contra Costa County with a new "eBART" line, the first new station is expected to be at Railroad Avenue close to Highway 4. Although eBART is not expected to start running until 2013, cities are already planning for what can be built around the new eBART stations. Click here for more information about eBART.

The City of Pittsburg's General Plan already calls for the development of a Specific Plan for the area around Railroad and Highway 4. And policies by BART and MTC require that before we spend millions of dollars of public money on new transit, cities update their land use plans to recognize the new opportunities eBART can bring and to make sure there will be enough riders to justify the public investment.

The City of Pittsburg received one of MTC's first Station Area Planning grants to complete a Specific Plan around the Railroad Ave eBART station area.

Specific Plan

In spring 2006, the City of Pittsburg started developing a Specific Plan for the area within a half-mile circle of the proposed eBART station at the intersection of Railroad Ave and Hwy 4. A "Specific Plan" is when the city decides what kinds of development are allowed in a specific geographic area, such as this area around the proposed eBART station. This plan can allow, or forbid, uses such as homes, shops, offices, social services, parks, and others.

While the Specific Plan's scope will assess development opportunities and potential ridership on eBART for the whole planning area (about 500 acres total), the plan will focus on two specific areas close to the new station:

• Northwest/Civic Center area: bounded by Hwy 4, Railroad, City Park, and Davi Ave, all property owned by the city.
• Southeast area: bounded by Hwy 4, Railroad, Leland, and Harbor; currently home to WWII-era buildings used for light industry.

The City has contracted with a consulting team, headed by MIG, to conduct the Specific Plan.

Timeline and Opportunities for Public Input

(Note: all times are tentative: check with city for the up-to-date timeline.)
 

Who Else Is Involved

TALC is working with local groups to make sure community interest are well represented in the planning process:

• CCISCO (Contra Cost Interfaith Supporting Community Organization) is organizing community residents through several congregations in Pittsburg.
• La Clinica de la Raza operates a vital community health clinic in Pittsburg. The agency owns a building in the South East Quadrant and is interested in creating a green building to house their clinic and provide homes people can afford.

What You Can Do

We are working with local groups and residents in Pittsburg to try to make sure the community is well informed about this process and how to make a difference. You can:

• Sign up for action alerts! Contact Chris Schildt at 510-740-3150 x305 or by email to sign up for email action alerts and get involved in our efforts.
• Get on the city's mailing list: send your contact information (including email) to Leigha Schmidt, City of Pittsburg, lschmidt@ci.pittsburg.ca.us or 925-252-4015.
• Write a letter to the editor about what you want to see around the new eBART station:
  - ccnletters@bayareanewsgroup.com for Contra Costa Times
  - editor@brentwoodpress.com for Pittsburg Press
   

City Contact Info

City staff contact: Leigha Schmidt, lschmidt@ci.pittsburg.ca.us or 925-252-4015.
City website about Specific Plan