Overgrown Field Will Become A Neighborhood

Right now, it's two overgrown fields adjacent to each other at the end of a court backing up to the Walnut Creek BART station.

However, if a non-profit group has its way, in about two years that U-shaped lot will become a neighborhood of homes.

Habitat for Humanity has been working with the city to build 10 low-income and moderate-income homes on the half-acre parcel at the end of Barkley Avenue just off Overlook Drive.

The townhouses will consist of triplexes and duplexes. They will be sold for about $200,000 to $300,000, depending on the annual income of the purchasing family.

Construction is expected to begin in fall 2012 with occupants moving in about a year later.

"It'll be 10 humble little homes," said Janice Jensen, chief executive officer for Habitat for Humanity East Bay. "This is a wonderful opportunity to put unused land to good use."

The organization has helped build 300 homes in the East Bay the past two decades. However, this is only their second significant project in Walnut Creek.

Property is expensive and parcels suitable for lower income housing aren't all that common.

"We don't get many sites that are available," said Laura Simpson, Walnut Creek's housing program manager. "We try to look for places that are near transit stations."

Under the state's fair share housing goals, Walnut Creek is required to have built 1,958 new affordable housing units between 2009 and 2014. So far, there have been 834 either constructed or approved.

"There is a need for this kind of housing here," said Simpson. "It allows people to live where they work."

The Barkley Avenue project really got going in 2009 when the city purchased part of the lot there from Caltrans for $251,000. The state agency must give first option on land purchases to affordable housing projects, so the city snatched it up.

The rest of the land was donated by an anonymous land owner.

"We were very grateful when that person stepped forward," said Jensen. "It made the entire project viable."

Since then, Habitat for Humanity has been meeting with city officials as well as neighbors to discuss the project.

Jensen and Natalie Monk, Habitat's project manager on this development, said they have tried to address neighbors' concerns.

One of them is who will be moving into the new homes. Monk points out the families must help build the houses, contributing at least 500 hours of "sweat equity."

"These are people who really want a house," said Monk.

 Another is a short bicycle and foot path that will split the U-shaped parcel. That path gives the neighborhood a shortcut to the BART station.

Monk said there is already a dirt trail that serves the same purpose. Plus, the new path will be available for everyone.

The 10 homes will consist of two two-bedroom units, six three-bedroom units and two four-bedroom units. They will be between 1,200 and 1,500 square feet.

Although the number of homes is small, Habitat officials see the development helping fill a gap.

"The need for housing in Walnut Creek in phenomenal," said Monk.

Simpson agrees.

"The city is pleased to have the opportunity to work with Habitat for Humanity. It's a nice public-private partnership," she said.