Temporary Parking Proposed For 500 Kirkham Street, West Oakland

Permits have been filed for interim use of 500 Kirkham Street as a parking lot in West Oakland. Previously, the city approved plans for a 1,032-unit mixed-use development by Panoramic Interests. The property was returned to lenders in 2023 after the developer defaulted on a loan, and the current owner, Columbia Pacific Advisors, is looking for a buyer for the development opportunity.

The previously approved entitlements secured by Panoramic Interests allowed the construction of three new structures across from the West Oakland BART Station, including two mid-rise podium apartments and a 32-story tower. The 340-foot-tall high-rise would have included 456 apartments with retail and parking. The city granted final approval for the project in the summer of 2019.

500 Kirkham Street phase three tower, rendering by BDE Architecture and SiteLab Urban Studio

Columbia Pacific is responsible for the recent interim-use application. The documents explain that “Until the market for development of a mixed-use residential project at this site recovers, Applicant requests a temporary Conditional Use Permit for an interim use of the Property as automotive fee parking of approximately 250 spaces, limited to a 5-year period and subject to extension, during which time the site would continue to be marketed for residential development.”

The property is currently being used as a surface parking lot for shipping containers and commercial semi-trucks.

For commuters looking to park at West Oakland BART, the timing of this application might be appreciated, as the agency recently announced that construction will soon begin on the transit-oriented redevelopment of the BART-owned surface lots immediately around the station. BART states it expects to start construction on the first phase in the second half of this year.

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