Construction is beginning this week on Fabian Way Senior, a 55-unit low-income housing development for low-income seniors in south Palo Alto.
The $22.9 million project at 3895 Fabian Way is the BRIDGE Housing component of the larger Taube-Koret Campus for Jewish Lifemost of which is well underway in construction.
A construction kick-off event was held Wednesday for the project, which was approved by the City Council in September 2006.
The 623-square-foot, one-bedroom rental apartments will range from $463 to $762 per month, depending on household and income size, BRIDGE spokeswoman Lyn Kikida said. Income eligibility will be set at 25 to 40 percent of the area's medium income, or $21,225 to $33,960 for a two-person household.
"For that area, that's pretty low, so it's a good opportunity," Kikida said.
The development will include four floors of housing units with indoor and outdoor common areas as part of a larger development on land previously occupied by Sun Microsystems, Inc., Kikida said.
The development on the vacated land will include the Altaire town houses and condos and the Taube-Koret Campus for Jewish Life, Kikida said. The $250 million Taube-Koret Campus will include assisted living and a community and performing arts center.
The Altaire and Taube-Koret developments are further along in construction than Fabian Way Senior, which was approved by the city in September 2006 and began construction with the kick-off event Wednesday, Kikida said.
The development is expected to be Green Point Rated and slated for completion in 2010, according to BRIDGE.
"We've received moderate interest so far and we anticipate there will be very high interest because there is not a huge supply of affordable homes (for seniors) in the Palo Alto," Kikida said.
Age guidelines have not been finalized for Fabian Way Senior, but Kikida said most similar housing programs require a minimum age of 62 years.
Those interested in being added to a waiting list for Fabian Way Senior can call 650-266-8227.
Comments
Adobe-Meadow
on Jan 8, 2009 at 7:38 am
on Jan 8, 2009 at 7:38 am
I can't believe they're packing yet another 55 housing units on the Campus for Jewish Life-BRIDGE/BUILD site at the corner of Charleston and San Antonio off Fabian Way.
Charleston Gardens
on Jan 8, 2009 at 8:11 am
on Jan 8, 2009 at 8:11 am
Neighbor--read the article. They are not packing in another 55 units. This was all part of the original plan that the council reviewed and was open to public comment.
I know--it should not be built because you may be inconvenienced by the extra traffic
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 8, 2009 at 8:17 am
on Jan 8, 2009 at 8:17 am
Nothing about future traffic, but the problems caused to traffic at present by this construction work is inconvenient to say the least. It took me 20 minutes to get from 101 San Antonio exit to Charleston yesterday. The signs made no sense and the one lane that was open was continually being stopped by flaggers to allow the construction work to be uninterrupted. How about not interrupting the rest of us in our lives - or at least letting us know before we leave the freeway that traffic is at a standstill!!
Charleston Gardens
on Jan 8, 2009 at 8:25 am
on Jan 8, 2009 at 8:25 am
Don't they have those electronic signs on 101 that are supposed to notify about delays--or are those only for traffic on 101 directly?
If it took you 20 minutes to get from 101 to Charleston then it sounds like traffic was backed up on to the 101. why did you get off then?
"How about not interrupting the rest of us in our lives "--yes, it is too bad that sometimes you have to be inconvenienced by work that is done for the benefit of others and the community.
Wait until they start taking out the trees on San Antonio next week--that will be an inconvenience also.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 8, 2009 at 8:34 am
on Jan 8, 2009 at 8:34 am
Marvin
How about you dealing with inconvenience. I was traveling nb on 101 before exiting and there was no backup on the freeway until after I was in the ramp - it is a long ramp. What you think of as being an acceptable inconvience prevented me picking up my child from school on time - I won't give further details, but not all kids are picked up by car. If this had been a one off situation I wouldn't mind, but this has happened a lot in the past year or so since the work started.
San Antonio delays for the tree removal are already forewarned with big signs. This area of San Antonio can easily be avoided if we know the work will be happening, which we do, so we can make alternative routes. Yesterday's delays were not.
Charleston Gardens
on Jan 8, 2009 at 8:38 am
on Jan 8, 2009 at 8:38 am
Resident--I am dealing with the inconvenience since I live on San Antonio. But as to your situation--so this has happened before and you were aware of the potential issues--you could have stayed on 101 until the next exit, gotten off the exit before or taken a right at the end of the exit ramp and taken the frontage road to embracadero.
It is unfortunate that there can be no warning about construction related delays due to the building there--but it sounds like it is not a daily occurrence.
Embarcadero Oaks/Leland
on Jan 8, 2009 at 9:14 am
on Jan 8, 2009 at 9:14 am
I've never understood why construction crews are allowed to control traffic at all. They only time it makes sense is to allow it is for road construction funded by the city/county, etc.
Midtown
on Jan 8, 2009 at 9:25 am
on Jan 8, 2009 at 9:25 am
Good point, Paly Parent. Can the police ticket the construction company for obstructing traffic? Resident, next time this happens why don't you call the non-emergency police line and ask them to send someone down to do something about it. It sounds like the construction crew needs some traffic control training and a strict warning.
College Terrace
on Jan 8, 2009 at 9:33 am
on Jan 8, 2009 at 9:33 am
At least it's senior housing, so it won't add to the already impacted schools!
Downtown North
on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:10 am
on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:10 am
How much additional traffic will be generated by seniors 62 and over?
Midtown
on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:53 am
on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:53 am
If you KNOW there is construction going on in the area.... leave earlier or find another way to get where you have to go. San Antonio is not the only exit for palo alto... for that matter, take Rengstorff!
In this day when so many are unemployed, be glad there is work to go too.
South of Midtown
on Jan 8, 2009 at 1:00 pm
on Jan 8, 2009 at 1:00 pm
According to the city the entire project on San Antonio and Fabian has 352 units
56 of which are for seniors.
Greenmeadow
on Jan 8, 2009 at 1:58 pm
on Jan 8, 2009 at 1:58 pm
THE ultimate "city within a city"...............
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 8, 2009 at 3:53 pm
on Jan 8, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Why is the huge Campus for Jewish Life building on the corner of San Antonio and East Charleston next to the sidewalk? Shouldn't the building be set back?
Charleston Gardens
on Jan 8, 2009 at 4:09 pm
on Jan 8, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Resident--I am sure the plans were gone over by the Architectural Review Board and the City Council. These plans were available to the public, I am sure, and there was a time for public discussion before the city council about this. You are a little late to complain now.
Charleston Gardens
on Jan 8, 2009 at 4:22 pm
on Jan 8, 2009 at 4:22 pm
The Campus for Jewish Life is a "Planned Community" (PC), therefore, they are permitted to build up to the sidewalk.
The large building on the corner of San Antonio and Charleston is the new 400 seat theatre. I presume the tall part of the building facing San Antonio is an elevator shaft. Anyway it far exceeds the 50 foot height limit plus the additional 12 feet of variance they were given.
Zoning codes give them an additional 15 feet for elevators and duct work on top of the building, So they can go up to 77 feet in some areas.
Barron Park School
on Jan 8, 2009 at 4:47 pm
on Jan 8, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Politians in City of Palo Alto is totally out of touch of reality. Look at the housing inventory in Bay Area, why they have to pump up more houses? It is totally waste of everything. They are concerning about global warming, right? They are driving those tiny cokoroachs, right? What don't they see waste here?
Greenmeadow
on Jan 8, 2009 at 7:32 pm
on Jan 8, 2009 at 7:32 pm
I don't think it right that they name it "Campus for Jewish Life". It sounds a bit discriminatory to me..... People would hoot and hollar if a center was named "Campus for Black Life", etc.
South of Midtown
on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:37 pm
on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:37 pm
The name was a clever move by the developer. That name made it really hard for anyone to oppose it. So they had some hearings but it went through fast and opposition didn't organize.
The housing advocates supported it, like the local League of Women Voters, and Council member Judy Kleinberg. On the ARB Wasserman was poetic about how wonderful and beautiful it would be. Combined with Jim Baer, it was a slam dunk.
Midtown
on Jan 9, 2009 at 8:05 am
on Jan 9, 2009 at 8:05 am
real issue here is more low income housing, which attracts more low income residents to our town, and all the issues that follow.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 9, 2009 at 9:12 am
on Jan 9, 2009 at 9:12 am
Marvin, I agree - the plans were gone over and meetings were held. Now it has been proved once again, this process doesn't work and needs to be changed. A much smaller development should have been on the table for public comment, and not a Campus for Jewish Life but a campus for all people.
Charleston Gardens
on Jan 9, 2009 at 9:29 am
on Jan 9, 2009 at 9:29 am
Resident--it is for all people
Web Link
As was the old JCC at Terman.
Midtown
on Jan 9, 2009 at 11:53 am
on Jan 9, 2009 at 11:53 am
Terman Apartments (next to the old JCC) used to be for ALL low income people. As we've read in the paper, the building is now occupied by mostly Russian/Jewish people. I hope they won't be managing these so everyone can have a fair chance to get these apartments.
And by the way, some low income people ARE ACTUALLY FROM PALO ALTO. Like me, 5th generation. How long have you been in this town? So you think everyone from this town is rich? Nice attitude.
So how do you sign up to get on the list before it's filled with friends of whomever is running the place? More info please.
Midtown
on Jan 9, 2009 at 12:59 pm
on Jan 9, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Do you have to follow the Jewish religion to be able to buy an apartment here?
South of Midtown
on Jan 9, 2009 at 1:10 pm
on Jan 9, 2009 at 1:10 pm
It was revealed at a recent PAN Meeting that the City's Planning Department will be holding a series of meetings with residents in south Palo Alto to discuss the future of East Meadow Circle and Fabian Way as the site to build the 2800 low cost housing units for ABAG.
Echelon, Vantage, Altiere and the Campus for Jewish Life are just the start of a lot of future building in that neighborhood of south Palo Alto.
Greenmeadow
on Jan 10, 2009 at 12:31 am
on Jan 10, 2009 at 12:31 am
Enough of this, I'm not taking a rap for a hate crime!
Charleston Gardens
on Jan 10, 2009 at 11:09 am
on Jan 10, 2009 at 11:09 am
Who pay property tax for these units? We are the middle class persons. We paid high price for house, we paid high property tax. However, city keeps take care of " low incomes " who just paid 25% -30% housing cost ? Why we need to work hard ? Especially, we, the middle class people, hardly to keep the job. We keep working day and night for our " high price " home. Is it fair ? City councils should use your brain ......
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jan 12, 2009 at 12:03 pm
on Jan 12, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Marvin, how do you know the old JCC was for all the people? The City asked for a membership roster to find out how many people were from Palo Alto vs out of town and to see how many non-Jewish people were members. The JCC refused to release the membership roster. Maybe the old JCC was for all the people, but I'd like to see the proof published.
I think this may also be a problem with the Palo Alto Housing Authority - who actually gets into our low income units - and a problem with Stevenson House. It's a problem with developments which have no actual benefit for the public, and who don't have the number of BMR units promised.
Do we have a special investigator on City staff?
Charleston Gardens
on Jan 12, 2009 at 12:20 pm
on Jan 12, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Resident
Web Link
"Additionally, the center expects to attract a diverse membership base to its exercise program. About 40 percent of the exercise program members were non-Jewish at the old JCC -- a percentage that could increase, Mendelson said. Annual membership fees range from $300 for a family to $75 for a senior. "
I am not sure they can just release their membership roster to any entity that asks for it.