BACK
Press
Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oxford Plaza Opens its Doors to New Residents, New Opportunities
First Residents Move into Downtown Berkeley’s Newest Development that’s Affordable and Green
Contact: Linda Mackey
Email: lmackey@rcdev.org
March 6, 2009 – Berkeley, California
After seven years of planning and 18 months of construction, Oxford Plaza opened its doors to the first residents on February 13, 2009. Despite opening on a Friday the 13th, the residents of Oxford Plaza were actually very lucky, having made it through a lottery process of nearly 3,500 applicants for 97 units. Resources for Community Development (RCD) received its Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) for Oxford Plaza on February 9, 2009 and wasted no time allowing residents to move into their new homes.
“This has been a long, complex project but we are very proud of this moment and this accomplishment“, according to RCD Executive Director Dan Sawislak. “Despite the project’s challenges, what’s important is that much needed affordable housing for working families and individuals, including those with special needs, has been created in downtown Berkeley, housing that will stay affordable for 50 years.” A TCO will be issued to the City of Berkeley public parking structure and resident parking for Oxford Plaza within the week. Shortly thereafter, RCD will officially transfer the new public parking to the City of Berkeley, who will own and operate the parking.
Oxford Plaza meets a pressing need for affordable housing in Berkeley by creating 97 units of permanently affordable, high-quality rental homes with on-site services for residents. Its central location, close to BART and buses, jobs and amenities, helps solve the transportation challenges many low-income workers face. The new homes, studios to 3-bedroom units, are affordable to those usually priced out of Bay Area housing. Income ranges for Oxford Plaza are for individuals who earn less than $12,060 per year to families of four earning up to $51,660 annually. The apartments are adaptable to accommodate residents with physical disabilities. Oxford Plaza and its neighbor the David Brower Center (DBC), an environmental center, are built to the highest environmental standards for their respective purposes. Oxford Plaza is expected to be GreenPoint Rated by BuildItGreen, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting green building in California.
RCD is a non-profit organization that develops and provides housing along the entire affordable housing spectrum, from single room occupancy hotels to 4-bedroom family apartments and affordable homeownership. Founded by Berkeley community members in 1984, RCD has built over 1,500 units over the last 25 years providing quality affordable housing to over 2,500 individuals and families. RCD’s mission is to create and preserve affordable housing for those with the fewest options, to build community and enrich lives.