Monday, August 27, 2007

16th Street Station

The Western Terminus of the Trans-Continental Railroad has been in disrepair for I don't know how long. With between 1,000 and 1,500 new condominiums and low-income rental units rising around it - it is in store for a re-birth. More photos here.

I encourage anyone living in the Bay Area who is interested in historical architecture, city planning, or railroads to take the opportunity to ride your bike down and check out this amazing building.

To take it a step further, anyone interested in architecture or city planning should ride through West Oakland in general. Often cited as one of the most dangerous and poor neighborhoods in the East Bay it is full of urban neighborhood gems. Beautiful old victorian houses that sell for millions in San Francisco probably sell for under $500,000 here. Beautiful churches, a smattering of amazing art organizations, and some genuinely cool parks. West Oakland is a hidden gem.

With these new developments on the very western edge of the city will the rest of the neighborhood become gentrified? Or, in other words, will young professionals displace local residents? Or will the transition happen more slowly or not at all? The City Report can be found here.

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