An official groundbreaking ceremony has been held for the new mixed-income residential project across from Tamien Station in San Jose. The 555-unit project is the first development from the Valley Transit Authority in two decades, with half a dozen more in the pipeline. VTA is partnering with Core Companies and Republic Urban Properties.
Tamien Station Development construction activity, image via the project team published last month
Tamien Station Development
Construction is divided into three phases, the first of which will be the 135 affordable housing units at 1221 Lick Avenue. Apartment sizes will vary, with 20 studios, 44 one-bedrooms, 37 two-bedrooms, and 34 three-bedrooms. The ground level will feature a 3,000-square-foot space earmarked for a future day-care center.
Studio T Square and BDE Architects are listed as the project architects. HMH is consulting on landscape architecture. At full build-out, the three podium-style structures will be embellished with red-tile roofing, horizontal stone tiles, and Juliet balconies. Landscaped pathways will follow roadways between the buildings.
Tamien Station Development pedestrian activity
Construction is expected to cost around $100 million, with funding coming from the city, county, tax credit equity, and $64 million from the state’s Debt Limit Allocation Committee. According to Republic, the full development is projected to cost around $270 million. Republic was also selected by VTA to develop the land surrounding Blossom Hill Station. The 5.4-acre property is expected to see around 328 units, including 89 units of affordable housing. Further north in the Berryessa BART Urban Village plan, VTA selected Affirmed Housing to build 195 units in a ten-story affordable housing infill.
Tamien Station Development affordable housing site outlined, image via Google Satellite
The development site is located along Lick Avenue and parallel to the Guadalupe Parkway. Residents will overlook the Tamien Caltrain and VTA light rail station. The affordable housing is expected to open by 2025. A timeline for the 420 market-rate units has yet to be established.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
Shameful that VTA hasn’t done more affordable TOD projects like this given the deep housing crisis in the South Bay. This is a good first start, I guess.
The worst is over for the housing crisis. There are so many pro-development laws being signed right now, so much awareness of the problem, and so many pro-housing activists and organizations now. Finally, transit orgs like BART realize they are sitting on a gold mine in these underutlized lots which can make them landlords in perpetuity.
I think transit agencies should focus on transit, not property development. Why can’t they develop a seamless transit infrastructure all around the Bay??
Why do you think that?
Would there be 550-650 Underground parking below the new apartment buildings for Caltrain commuters?