Several years ago, we began three “scattered site rehabs” by grouping sites with similar needs in close proximity to each other under one ownership structure to position them for new investment. We gathered development teams for each project to assess and design the needs at each property and figure out the most efficient means of phasing the construction. And we started to assemble the necessary funding.

Now at the end of construction and newly updated, each property’s character is preserved, with structural and systems upgrades behind the updated and upgraded exteriors. The apartment interiors are upgraded, along with painting, landscaping, accessibility, and security improvements to the communal spaces.

Church Lane Apartments in San Pablo and Idaho Apartments in El Cerrito are home to over 75 residents. Included are 29 units for residents who were formerly homeless and eight three- and four-bedroom units for larger families. Residents at Church Lane, where the community room and courtyard have been revitalized, will benefit from the introduction of an RCD Resident Services Coordinator.

New at Idaho Apartments: two large murals designed by Jerarde Gutierrez  with residents engaged in the design that includes nature and a nod to he area’s past commercial flower growing and an edible garden built and managed by A link to: Planting Justice.

Pinecrest Apartments and Terrace Glen Apartments in Antioch serve almost 100 residents in 56 units. New site-based rental subsidies will help half the households spend no more than 30% of their income for rent. 

We converted Camara Circle and Riley Court in Concord to affordable housing and renovated them in the 1990s and built Elaine Null Apartments in Bay Point in 1995. These communities offer a mix of 41 one-bedroom, 62 two-bedrooms, and 10 three-bedrooms to over 215 residents.

Two other sites were grouped together for refinancing and development to achieve greater scale that have moved into construction. RCD purchased Empyrean Towers (still known to many as the Menlo) in 2017 to convert it to permanent affordable housing, saving it from becoming a boutique hotel or higher-rent housing. The renovation will create 66 studio and one-bedroom units for individuals and small families.

RCD converted the nearby Harrison Hotel to affordable housing in 1993. The 81 units there provide affordable rent and full supportive services for residents. Among the improvements underway, the resident services spaces will be expanded, there will be accessibility and seismic improvements, and kitchenettes will be added to 30 of the apartments. 

RCD was fortunate to receive major funding from the Wells Fargo Foundation that supported our work with local, state, and federal reviewers on how best to strike a balance between each building’s historic features and the needs for seismic retrofitting and other modernizations. Now, both Empyrean Towers and the Harrison Hotel will be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Historic restoration will include restoring the neon Harrison Hotel marquee and the intricate crown molding in the lobby of Empyrean Towers. Particular care is being taken with the Empyrean Towers’ exterior to restore the marble and terra cotta façade that was hidden behind metal coverings.

Units will be available at Empyrean Towers, with leasing applications available from October 14 to 28, 2019. [ A link to: See website for information.]