Update: We are thrilled to announce that the San Francisco City Council has approved the 925 Bryant project!
After careful review, Greenbelt Alliance was pleased to endorse the 925 Bryant infill development project in San Francisco by Carmel Partners. This development will transform what is currently a vacant commercial building with a surface parking lot into a seven-story group housing, bringing 218 much-needed homes to the SoMa neighborhood.
Carmel Partners plans to meet the Bay Area’s growing housing needs by having mixed-income homes and is inspired by the concept of group housing—meaning the homes are small studio apartments that have private kitchenettes and bathrooms, along with access to abundant community amenities, including open space (more than 50% over City requirements), multiple communal kitchens, a coworking space, as well as a fitness center and other spaces for people to gather and socialize. In terms of affordability, 24% of the housing will be below market rate, ranging from 50% to 110% area mean income (AMI)—a measure used to identify the midpoint of a region’s income distribution and the affordability of housing units to low-income households. 76% will be designated workforce housing at 120% AMI.
In addition, 925 Bryant is a great example of transit-oriented development. The project will limit residents’ reliability on cars and reduce overall Vehicles Miles Travelled (VMT) by offering EV charging and only 25 car stalls provided (or 0.12 stalls per unit). Two of those stalls will be for car share for residents to use. Also, the developers hope to encourage biking by providing 216 bicycle spots or 1.0 stalls per unit. The project will encourage walkability through its close proximity to BART and Caltrain, as well as retail and jobs.
This .47 acre development will have on-site energy generation, no gas hookups, high-efficiency water infrastructure, and stormwater management. This project will contribute to a walkable and vibrant community for San Francisco residents to enjoy by greening the streetscape and allowing for a more pedestrian-friendly street experience.
According to GreenTRIP—a free online tool created by Transform that models traffic and greenhouse gas impacts of residential projects in California—the 925 Bryant project will result in 82% less parking use every day compared to the San Francisco County average.
The project’s proximity to existing amenities and commitment to affordability and sustainability aligns with the City and County of San Francisco’s long-term planning and climate goals and Greenbelt Alliance is proud to give this project our endorsement! We hope its approval will inspire cities around the Bay Area to redouble their efforts to grow smartly. That’s why Greenbelt Alliance and Housing Action Coalition joined forces to urge the San Francisco Planning Commission to approve this project in their July 28* meeting and are thrilled that this project has officially been approved.
Greenbelt Alliance’s Climate SMART—Sustainable, Mixed, Affordable, Resilient, Transit-Oriented—Development Endorsement Program goals call for fully protecting the Bay Area’s greenbelt, directing growth into our existing communities, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a way that equitably benefits all Bay Area residents. Our Endorsement Program provides support for projects that advance the right kind of development in the right places. By promoting climate SMART development, we can create thriving, resilient neighborhoods with ready access to transit and housing choices for all of the Bay Area’s people.
Find out more about our Endorsement Program here. Feel free to contact our team for more information and support.
