JULY 2024

EVENTS

BUSINESS MEETING POSTPONED: The meeting planned for Wednesday, July 10, 7–8 p.m. is postponed until August 21, 7–8 p.m. on Zoom. Please stay tuned for more information.

2024 MEETING AND HAPPY HOUR SCHEDULE

Happy hours, third Wednesdays, 5–7 p.m.:

September 18, Fatapples, 7525 Fairmount Ave. @ Colusa

November 20, Banter Wine, 10368 San Pablo Ave. @ Stockton

December 15 (Sunday), Super-Fun Holiday Party, location TBA 

Business meetings, third Wednesdays, 7–8 p.m. on Zoom:

August 21

October 16

December 18

NEWS AND VIEWS

Image source: Google Street View

Richmond Street Complete Streets Improvement Project: Take the survey

El Cerrito is partnering with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority on the Richmond Street Complete Streets Improvement Project, which will implement safety improvements on Richmond Street between Elm Street and Fairmount Avenue.

The goal of the project is to provide safe and accessible pedestrian connections between El Cerrito’s neighborhoods and the El Cerrito del Norte and Plaza BART stations, schools, parks, the Ohlone Greenway, civic destinations, and businesses along San Pablo Avenue.

Possible project elements include high-visibility crosswalks, flashing beacons at unsignalized crosswalks, roadway safety lighting, ADA-compliant curb ramps, repairing or replacing nonconforming sidewalks, enhanced traffic signing, high-visibility green pavement markings, signs to enhance the existing shared-lane bike facility, traffic signal safety upgrades at key intersections, pavement rehabilitation, painted tear-drop medians, and infill of street trees to create a continuous tree canopy.

The project is in the initial design phase and construction is scheduled to start in spring 2025, after the EBMUD installation of the new water pipeline under Richmond Street is complete. Please take the city’s survey to provide your input.

Source: City of El Cerrito

ANNOUNCEMENTS

EL CERRITO PLAZA TOD MEETING: JULY 17, 5:30–7 P.M.: El Cerrito staff are currently nearing completion of their review of the El Cerrito Plaza BART Station Transit Oriented Development (TOD) master plan application. Once an action has been taken, the city will hold an informal informational meeting on July 17, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at City Hall, 10890 San Pablo Avenue. The master plan proposes five new multifamily below-market rate and market-rate residential and mixed-use buildings with a total of 673 new residential units; approximately 2,100 square-feet of ground-floor retail; and an approximately 0.5-acre public plaza along Fairmount Avenue. If the city can secure the necessary financing, a 20,000-square-foot public library will also be included in the project. A sixth building with 70 units of below-market rate housing was previously approved. For more info, go to: www.el-cerrito.org/TOD. Contact the El Cerrito Planning Division at planning@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us or (510) 215-4330 with any questions about the project. Source: City of El Cerrito

“KEEPING EL CERRITO SAFE AND SELF-RELIANT” BUDGET SURVEY: As part of its annual budget-planning process, El Cerrito is requesting citizen input on the community’s budgeting and spending priorities. Since transportation and transit are not included on the list, El Cerrito/Richmond Annex Walk & Roll recommends including “improvements to pedestrian and cycling infrastructure” in the "suggestions for additional services" box. Take El Cerrito’s community feedback survey here.

OAKLAND-ALAMEDA WATER SHUTTLE LAUNCHES JULY 17: The new Oakland-Alameda Water Shuttle pilot service launches Wednesday morning, July 17, providing nonautomobile access across the Oakland Estuary from Jack London Square to Bohal Circle Immigrant Park in Alameda. The 10-minute water shuttle will run Wednesday through Sunday for the next two years, offering 37 trips per day. The shuttle is free to ride, and bicycles are welcome.

SPARE THE AIR THIS SUMMER: As temperatures climb, so can air pollution. Since transportation is the largest source of air pollution in the Bay Area, the best thing you can do for summer air quality is to drive less. Some actions you can take to help Spare the Air:

• Reduce vehicle idling: 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel than turning off and restarting your engine.

• Combine or skip vehicle trips: Fewer vehicle trips means less air pollution.

• Try a lower-emission commute: Bike, walk, take transit, carpool, or work from home.

• Sign up for Spare the Air alerts: Find out by text or email when a Spare the Air alert has been issued so you can adjust your commute.

511 Contra Costa offers a variety of incentives to commuters who switch from driving alone at least some of the time. Offers include a $25 Drive Less incentive, a preloaded Clipper card for Trying Transit, free secure bike parking, free bus passes, and more. Source: City of El Cerrito

E-BIKE REBATES, EV, AND COMMUTER INCENTIVES: 511 Contra Costa offers a variety of incentives to try clean transportation:

• Switch from gasoline to electric-powered: Electric bikes, cars, and garden equipment reduce carbon emissions. Learn about e-bike rebates and electric vehicle incentives.

• Drive less: Commit to working from home or walking your kids to school when you can.

• Explore your local bus service: Find your nearest stop, learn the routes, and take a ride to see where you can go on public transit.
  Source: 511 Contra Costa

El Cerrito/Richmond Annex Walk & Roll

El Cerrito/Richmond Annex Walk & Roll promotes walking, bicycling, and other low-carbon multimodal transportation alternatives and builds community for safer, more joyful, and inclusive streets for all.

To join, visit our website at ecrawalkroll.org, take our survey, or write to us at info@ECRAWalkRoll.org

Please submit traffic safety requests to El Cerrito’s online traffic improvement request form.

Newsletter edited by Janet Byron.