The 16th Street Train Station was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Jan. 21, unlocking a 20% federal tax credit for restoration.

This is a huge opportunity—the 16th Street Station a stunning Beaux Arts space that could one day be a major community asset. The site’s owner, developer City Ventures, previously proposed a 77-unit housing project and has also hired a consultant to explore fundraising for the station’s revitalization. [KQED]

📍16th Street Station, 1601 Wood Street, Oakland

Well this is big news to kick off 2025. A permit was just filed on January 21, 2025 for “Demolition of all industrial buildings located at 2400 Peralta Street in Oakland… The site consists of 174375 sq ft… CEMEX and Central [Concrete] have ceased operations and is preparing the site for demolition.”

This concrete company has occupied the entire block at Peralta and 24th for many years (and, with it, brought trucks and pollution into the neighborhood). This is great to see it’ll be demolished, and excited to see what’ll be built in its place.

📍Central Concrete Supply, Peralta St and 24th St, Oakland

The iconic Beaux-Arts style 16th Street Train Station and Signal Tower just cleared a crucial hurdle toward joining the National Register of Historic Places. On November 7, the State Historical Resources Commission unanimously endorsed the nomination, making it one of the first sites recognized under the new “African Americans in California” category for its pivotal role in the Great Migration and labor rights history. Once the National Park Service gives final approval (expected within 60 days), the station will be eligible for federal tax credits worth up to 20% of restoration costs – a huge boost for any future rehab. [Oakland Heritage Alliance]

City Ventures (the developer that acquired this property) plans to engage the community on rehab proposals in 2025, according to the Prescott Neighborhood Council.

📍16th Street Station, 1601 Wood Street, Oakland

The massive transformation of West Oakland BART is getting real. Zoning permits just dropped for 241 affordable homes, plus 12,850 sq ft of ground-floor retail right at the station. This is part of the bigger Mandela Station project that’s planning to bring 762 units of housing, 300,000 square feet of office space, retail, and a public park next to the BART Station. With substantial funding locked and zoning permits filed for this part of the project, we’re one step closer. Waiting for the official updated construction timeline.

This is huge for the neighborhood. Those empty lots around BART are an eyesore, killing the vibe on 7th Street and making a terrible first impression on visitors. Once construction kicks off here, it’s going to transform the whole 7th Street corridor. Imagine stepping off BART onto a street with shops, housing, and actual foot traffic instead of vacant lots. Game changer. [SF Yimby]

📍West Oakland BART, 1451 7th Street, Oakland