Features

The revitalized Ashby BART Task Force, charged with planning development on the transit station’s western parking lot, meets Tuesday night to draft a statement for an application to seek state funding. 

A similar application was rejected earlier this year by the California Department of Transportation after a storm of controversy erupted over the proposal. 

In July, the Berkeley City Council then awarded its own funds to the task force, mandating that the group should lay the groundwork for a new Caltrans grant application next October. 

Under the new work plan, the panel will conduct a series of public workshops and public meetings through the end of February, along with what is described as “a public visioning exercise.” 

A preliminary report is scheduled to be completed by the end of March, with a final recommendation slated to go to the City Council’s first meeting in May. 

BART will participate in preparing the final application. 

Tuesday night’s meeting will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Community Room of St. Paul’s A.M.E. Church, 2024 Ashby Ave. 

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission announced Wednesday that it is awarding $2 million for creation of pedestrian access enhancements for the Ed Roberts Center. 

That center, which will provide a home for offices and programs serving the needs of the disabled community, is to be built on the BART station’s eastern parking lot, immediately across Adeline Street from the site under consideration by the task force.