Lopes Property: Warm Springs
BART Bridge and Plaza
Overview
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (“BART”) is a rapid transit public transportation system serving the San Francisco Bay Area in California. BART is operated by the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District. The Warm Springs Extension Project (“WSX”) was a 5.4-mile BART extension south from the Fremont BART Station into the Warm Springs District of Fremont. The City of Fremont (“the City”) approved the Warm Springs Community Plan (“Community Plan”), which laid the groundwork for the area surrounding the new Warm Springs/South Fremont BART Station and allowed for new housing development, job creation, and transportation improvements. Access to the east side of the Warm Springs Bart station was being constructed by BART.
Vision
For the overall vision of the Community Plan to be implemented, the Warm Springs/South Fremont BART Station required access from both the east and west sides of the concourse, including an entrance plaza and access structure on the west side of the station. The Warm Springs BART West Access Bridge and Plaza Project (“WS Bridge and Plaza”) consisted of the construction of a pedestrian access bridge and ground‐level entrance plaza on the west side of the Warm Springs/South Fremont BART Station in conjunction with WSX. The access bridge would span the existing Union Pacific Railroad (“UPRR”) mainline tracks located immediately west of the Warm Springs/South Fremont BART Station.
Challenge
The WS Bridge and Plaza Project Site (“project site”) contained privately and publicly owned the land. The project site included the existing UPRR spur track (“Lopes Spur”) to the east, a portion of Lopes Court to the west, a 6.7-acre parcel with one residence to the north, and the City property [to the south]. The bridge was restricted to where it may land west of the station based on site constraints such as a spur track alignment, PG&E transmission lines, various underground utilities, and UPRR main tracks. The proposed bridge structure would span a portion of the existing UPRR mainline and a portion of the City property.
To provide access to and from the west side of the station, construction of the bridge and plaza to would require the relocation of a Lopes Spur track. Relocation of the spur track would require the relocation and protection of existing utility lines and construction of an interim terminus for Lopes Court. The portion of the project area within the UPRR staging area contained UPRR materials and equipment. The City property was vacant but was previously used to store machinery and equipment.
Solution
Cerro Vista Land & Development’s (“CVL&D”) approach was based on methodical analysis, and incorporated a disciplined due diligence process. CVL&D created the Master Plan document, and structured it into five main sections: introduction, land use strategy, public realm and transportation, site and building design, and implementation. CVL&D determined the City’s acquisition of three privately owned parcels of land was essential to provide adequate land for the bridge to be built. In accordance with California Government Code Section 65402, CVL&D concluded the acquisition was in conformance with the City’s adopted General Plan. CVL&D leveraged this analysis to provide context to their overall strategic plan and solicit other strategic partners. CVL&D recommended that the project construction occurs in two phases. After the plan was agreed to, the business oversaw and facilitated the successful execution of both construction parts. Phase I involved the spur relocation and its associated elements. Phase II involved development of the Warm Springs BART West Access Bridge and Plaza. CLV&D maximized value by improving processes across varied elements of a business’s operations, while bringing the proposed project to consummation as efficiently as prudently possible. The project benefitted from CVL&D’s continued focus on operational improvements and industry experience.
Outcome
[As part of the planning for the Warm Springs/South Fremont BART Station West Access Bridge and Plaza, the City Council executed, on March 5, 2015, a railroad track spur relocation agreement to move a railroad spur from its preexisting location along the west side of Lopes Court.]
On Friday, March 24, 2017, BART and the City revealed the opening of the Warm Springs/South Fremont Station, which marked a significant milestone in extending BART service to the South Bay.
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