Yesterday the board of the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) voted to adopt all our recommendations to transform empty parking lots into affordable homes.
This is a major win for our transit system, and for addressing our region’s housing affordability crisis.
Our campaign to reform MTS real estate policies have been thoroughly covered by local and state-wide media. You can watch our Thursday press conference, and see coverage of the MTS vote on ABC 10, KUSI, Fox 5, NBC 7, CBS 8, KPBS, and Streetsblog California. We even got a shout-out at yesterday’s Bay Area Rapid Transit board meeting!
Not only do we generate smart policy ideas at Circulate, we also mount effective campaigns to press for their adoption. Our media coverage helps communicate our message to the public, and to decisionmakers.
You can support our work by joining Circulate as a Member.
Circulate San Diego began this campaign when we published a report in April of this year titled “Real Opportunity.” The report identified 57 acres of excess property owned by MTS. Many of those properties were parking lots with utilization rates as low as 20 percent.
Only six months later, and under the leadership of Chair Georgette Gomez, the MTS board voted unanimously on Thursday to reform their development policies. The changes include a new affordable housing requirement, solicitations for competitive bids, and the elimination of old practices to maintain unused parking.
Our policy work is funded by supporters like you. Please join as a member today.
Wins like this only happen with the support of our members. Please consider joining Circulate San Diego as a member today. If you join at the $100 level, you are also entitled to a free ticket to attend our annual Momentum Awards Gala on October 24th, where we will be celebrating our 20 year anniversary! I hope you can join us to celebrate our many victories this year.
Sincerely,
-Colin Parent
Executive Director and General Counsel
PS: Your company can also join Circulate San Diego as a Corporate Member!
