South Berkeley's Crucial Influence on Housing Development at Ashby BART

The Friends of Adeline (FOA), established in 2015, is a community advocacy group formed in response to local officials’ plans to transform South Berkeley into a colonial-style development. Disturbed by this notion, residents united to fight for South Berkeley, a richly diverse neighborhood historically significant to African American, Asian, and Caucasian communities. Our efforts are directed toward supporting local businesses and nonprofits in the area. This series, initially featured in the Berkeley Times, explores the complex relationship between South Berkeley and BART, dating back to Mabel Howard’s triumph in advocating for underground BART tracks. As developers propose multifaceted projects, community input is crucial. We demand that the selected developer prioritizes 100% affordable housing, job creation, and representation of local organizations such as Healthy Black Families and Youth Spirit Artworks. Community engagement is essential for developing welcoming public spaces. Now is the time to make our voices heard—email and call local officials to demand accountability and ensure inclusive planning for our neighborhood's future.