An Update on AB 3 and the Plight of Isla Vista
What if unincorporated communities could get more local control without having to incorporate? Assembly Bill 3 (AB 3), working its way through the California Assembly, would give Isla Vista, an unincorporated community next to the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) campus, an enhanced version of a community service district (CSD), …
It’s time to be creative with sidewalk construction policies
Looking around my central Castro Valley neighborhood, while we’re lucky to have continuous sidewalks on both sides of my street, they could use a little TLC. Well-maintained sidewalks in central Castro Valley are a smart investment in safety that enhances walkability in an area of town that hosts our BART …
Castro Valley Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Holds Inaugural Meeting
The seven-member Castro Valley Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (CVBPAC) met for the first time last Wednesday, March 11 to start advising the Alameda County Public Works Agency (PWA) on matters related to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan within Castro Valley. The CVBPAC will act as a liaison between PWA …
Walking in Castro Valley: Improving the Unimproved Sidewalks
Unfortunately, to be a pedestrian in Castro Valley can be a life-threatening experience. From Central CV to the hill areas around central, there are blocked, unimproved sidewalks on the majority of the streets. This forces pedestrians to constantly walk around the property, and around the parked cars and into almost …
San Felipe Park Master Plan Update Meeting
The Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) held its second public meeting to update the San Felipe Park Master Plan on Thursday, January 15, 2015. In this meeting, two concepts were presented which were drawn from public input at the first public meeting. Additional features suggested for the park …
An Update on the Castro Valley Specific Plan Update
On Tuesday January 6th, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors held their regular Planning Committee meeting. One item on the agenda was a recap by Albert Lopez, Director of the Alameda County Planning Department on the status of the major initiatives of the Planning Department. A large part of his recap …
Guest Perspective: Measure BB is Essential for Castro Valley
Guest post by Dave Campbell, Advocacy Director, Bike East Bay Every respected group in Alameda County has endorsed Measure BB because it addresses our concerns about getting around town. The League of Women Voters, Alameda County Taxpayers Association, United Seniors, Sierra Club, Transform, Bike East Bay and many other groups …
Paying for Sidewalks in Castro Valley
At the October 20, 2014 Castro Valley MAC meeting, Art Carrera of Alameda County Public Works estimated that installing sidewalks on Anita Avenue and Somerset Avenue would cost up to $4 million for each street. Carrera also noted that about “ten years ago”, the cost of installing sidewalks everywhere needed in …
CV talks biking, pedestrian safety at Monday’s MAC meeting
Monday’s Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) meeting attracted a crowd of about 75 people , many of whom were there to comment on potential solutions to pedestrian and bicyclist issues on Anita and Somerset Avenues (see Item IV. from this week’s MAC agenda). Alameda County Public Works Agency Director Art Carrera presented on the scope and costs …
The Great California Shakeout 2014
This week is the 25th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake. Many people who experienced this 6.9 magnitude quake will recall the images of the partially collapsed Bay Bridge and Nimitz Freeway, as well as portions of the Marina District in San Francisco on fire. In order to help prepare for …