California State Rail Plan 2005-06 to 2015-16

Chapter XIII – Environment and Land Use
proposed River Walk Plaza location. Two 80-unit complexes of multi-family
affordable housing have also been proposed for construction in the same area in
the next two to three years. Another development proposal calls for building
12,000 square feet of office space adjacent to the Amtrak parking lot to house the
Convention and Visitors Bureau, which would provide a convenient stopping
point for tourist information for San Joaquin passengers. Bakersfield is served by
an extensive network of Amtrak thruway buses in addition to Golden Empire
Transit and Kern Regional Transit bus service.
Berkeley – Several mixed-use buildings featuring 150 residential units above
ground floor retail are planned for the block adjacent to the rail stop.
A long-established restaurant plans to move one block into the historic Southern
Pacific Railroad train station. Around this development, there are also plans to
provide mostly privately developed new streets, sidewalks, landscaping, ADA
accessibility, and bike signs to formalize the connection between the commercial
area and the pedestrian/bike bridge over I-80 next to the Amtrak stop. Across the
tracks, just south of the new platform, a former live/work warehouse has been
bought and will be renovated. Berkeley is served by local transit.
Emeryville – In 1998, construction began on the first phase of a project for
a three-building, 550,000 square foot mixed-use complex on the north, east and
south sides of the Amtrak station. The first phase was a 240,000 square foot,
five-story office building with ground floor retail and two levels of parking below.
The second phase that consists of 170,000 square feet of office space was
completed in 2001. The project also includes 101 owner-occupied lofts and town
homes, plus senior housing. The site was formerly industrial and had remained
vacant for over 20 years before the City coordinated and facilitated toxic
remediation and redevelopment of the site. The next phase will consist of
100 units of rental apartments, with at least 20 percent set aside as affordable
housing. The station is served by the Capitol Corridor, San Joaquin,
Coast Starlight and California Zephyr long-distance Amtrak trains, AC Transit
buses, and the Emery Go-Round free shuttle bus that connects to the MacArthur
BART station and various businesses, work sites, and retail and entertainment
centers.
Fresno – The historic Fresno Santa Fe Station has been renovated to include the
Amtrak station on the first floor with offices and retail facilities on the second
floor. It is scheduled to open in late 2005. In the surrounding area a new Federal
building is nearing completion. An additional multi-functional office building is
also under construction. This building will house some of the Department’s
District Office units, the Internal Revenue Service, Employment Development
offices, law offices and a variety of retail services on the ground floor.
Fresno City Hall and other governmental offices are already located within
walking distance to the station. There are several existing restaurants, hotels and
other attractions located near the site. The close proximity of the various business
167