Remote Surveillance Trailer in Oakland, CA

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Historic Church to Become Affordable Housing

The City of Oakland, CA, has approved plans to convert the historic Brooklyn Presbyterian Church and Parish Hall at 1433 12th Avenue into an affordable housing development. The approval, announced by SF Yimby on October 1, 2025, marks an advance in the project to increase the city’s housing supply.

Owned by Brooklyn Arms Apartments with Strive Wealth Builders as project sponsor, the initiative preserves part of the 1887-built church while adding new residential space to address California housing needs.

Adaptive Reuse Preserves History, Adds Housing

According to SF Yimby, the development will feature a new four-story residential building with 30 units adjacent to the existing church structure. Interior remodeling will create two additional residential apartments within the church, facility offices, and support spaces.

A sky bridge on the second level will connect the historic and new buildings, enhance accessibility, and preserve architectural features, including a 107-foot spire. A start date for construction to begin was not announced.

A 1910 image of the historic Brooklyn Presbyterian Church and Parish Hall, located at 1433 12th Avenue, in Oakland, CA. Brooklyn Arms Apartments with Strive Wealth Builders will convert the 1887-built church into an affordable housing development. Image: Public Library of Oakland

Building Conversions Can Renew and Preserve

Converting buildings into residential use, ArchDaily wrote, “reveals a wide field for intervention and exploration, one that can preserve, restore, adapt, and/or renew the character of spaces originally conceived for other uses and scales...”

In New York, for example, the former Pfizer headquarters at 219–235 East 42nd Street is undergoing what developers call the largest office-to-residential conversion in city history when completed in 2027. Just a block from Grand Central Terminal in Midtown East, the two interconnected buildings are set to deliver more than 1,600 apartments, including over 400 units with affordable pricing.

Plans for the NYC conversion also include more than 100,000 square feet of amenities with a rooftop pool, fitness center, ground-floor retail, and office space.

A rendering of housing units and amenities of the converted Brooklyn Presbyterian Church and Parish Hall, located at 1433 12th Avenue, in Oakland, CA. Image: AS Architecture

Conversions Outpace New Builds: CBRE

According to CBRE Research, among the 58 U.S. office markets it tracks, 23.3 million square feet of office space is expected to be removed from inventory this year. Around 12.8 million square feet is anticipated to be removed through conversions to non-office space and 10.5 million square feet through demolitions.

That total far exceeds the 12.7 million square feet of new office supply projected for 2025, according to a CBRE second-quarter 2025 report. Both demolition and conversion activity have accelerated since the COVID pandemic, reflecting ongoing changes in the office market.

As the built environment evolves in scale and purpose, contractors and building product manufacturers may face challenges pinpointing where construction demand is moving and how project activity differs by region and type.

West Coast Weakness, Opportunities by Geography and Project Mix

ConstructConnect Chief Economist Michael Guckes said in the September Construction Economy Snapshot that “nonresidential construction starts are painting a divided map across the United States this year, with growth and contraction occurring side by side depending on geography and project mix.”

Map of Total Nonresidential Construction Starts through August 2025 by Census Divisions, from The Construction Economy Snapshot, September 2025. Image: ConstructConnect

Guckes added, “Along the West Coast, year-to-date spending growth is barely holding at 1.2%, well below inflation, while the Mountain Division continues to expand more than 80% thanks to a handful of megaprojects.”

For many in the construction industry, from contractors to product manufacturers and estimators, signs of growth often emerge in early stages of nonresidential projects. Tracking activity by region and project type, whether new builds, conversions, or major renovations, can reveal where momentum is beginning to take hold.

Tracking Activity by Region and Project Type

According to ConstructConnect’s Matt Richardson, finding that information is a matter of having the right resources. Richardson said, “We track both public and private projects, including new construction, additions, and alterations.”

Richardson, a two-decade construction data vet and Sr. Director of Business Development with the Building Product Manufacturer team, added, “We love to report on these types of projects and work very hard through our connections with owners, architects, engineers, and contractors to obtain just this type of project.”

A team of ConstructConnect’s research specialists updates projects, ensuring an accurate view of emerging opportunities and evolving industry connections.

Project Site and Design

Gunkel Architecture is handling the final architectural design for the conversion of the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church. The design maintains the church’s exterior with minimal changes while incorporating modern elements such as weathered steel, fiber cement veneer, and wood siding on the new structure.

The project sits on 0.48 acres in Oakland’s Clinton neighborhood, near the TEMPO bus rapid transit line and Lake Merritt BART Station.

Developers also said residents will benefit from proximity to local shops, restaurants, and parks. Transforming the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church honors the building’s historical significance while providing much-needed housing options at 30% of the Area Median Income.

The Brooklyn Arms Apartments project reflects efforts in cities like Oakland to balance historic preservation with innovative residential development, especially in neighborhoods historically underserved in housing investment.

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About ConstructConnect

At ConstructConnect, our software solutions provide the information that construction professionals need to start every project on a solid foundation. For more than 100 years, our keen insights and market intelligence have empowered commercial firms, building product manufacturers, trade contractors, and architects to make data-driven decisions, streamline preconstruction workflows, and maximize their productivity. Our newest offerings—including our comprehensive, AI-assisted software—help our clients find, bid on, and win more projects.

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For more information, visit constructconnect.com

Photos and videos circulating on social media show a massive fire burning in Oakland, California, with thick smoke blanketing parts of the city. While official details remain scarce, several witnesses report that the blaze appears to be coming from a shuttered Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) campus near the West Oakland Library.

One witness posted on X (formerly Twitter), "A shuttered OUSD school campus located next to the West Oakland library is on fire right now. I just drove by. Fire department is there. Not the first time this campus has burned in recent years."

Another added, “Missed sunset, caught a huge fire in North Oakland. I can see the flames from over 2 miles away! Now you can too!”

A third person wrote, “Fire in Oakland ! Sending prayers for everyone.”

As of now, local authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the cause of the fire or whether there are any injuries.

Also Read: O‘ahu fire: Huge blaze near Kunia prompts road closures and emergency response

Park Fire

A wildfire broke out Friday afternoon in the Dublin area, approximately 25 miles east of Oakland, burning roughly 117 acres in the Camp Parks region before crews successfully stopped its forward progress.

The blaze, known as the Parks Fire, ignited shortly before 3:30 p.m. near Dougherty and Fall Creek roads. Fueled by dry vegetation, the fire spread rapidly, prompting a swift and coordinated response from firefighting agencies. By around 5:30 p.m., Cal Fire announced that crews had halted the fire's advance.

“View from above shows the approximately 117 acre #ParksFire near Dublin. Forward progress has been stopped. Great coordinated response by @CAL_FIRE @AlamedaCoFire and our partners. Incredible teamwork, strategic suppression, and community protection in action,” Cal Fire wrote in a post on X.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Latest News

As part of Phase 2 of the General Plan Update, we've released Oakland for All: Options for How We Stabilize and Grow. This new report explores big-picture ideas for how Oakland could stabilize and grow over the next 20 years – such as choosing where new homes, jobs, parks, and transportation might go.

was available for public comment from July 30 to September 24.

Get Involved in the General Plan Update!

Make your voice heard as we plan the Town's future!

Phase 2 Overview

In Phase 2, we will work with the Oakland community to achieve the following goals:

What is a General Plan?

A General Plan is a document required by the State that sets a vision for the city's future development. It reflects community priorities and values. It includes goals, policies, and measures to achieve this vision. California law requires specific topics, called "Elements," to be covered in a General Plan. These include land use, circulation, housing, environmental justice, conservation, open space, noise, and safety. The city can also include other elements if needed.

You can learn more about the General Plan by taking a look at each of Oakland's current Elements or watching a video summary about Oakland's current GPU process.

What's the General Plan Update?

It's OUR chance to plan the Oakland's future. In Phase 2, we'll work with the community to:

Process and Timeline

The Oakland General Plan Update process has two phases. Phase 1 began in November 2021 and concluded in October 2023. We adopted the Housing, Environmental Justice, and Safety Elements. Phase 2 started in 2024 and will focus on the Land Use and Transportation Element (LUTE), Open Space, Conservation, and Recreation (OSCAR) Element, Noise Element, and the Infrastructure and Capital Facilities Element.

Oakland GPU Framework and Guiding Principles

Developed at the beginning of Phase 1, and serving as a foundation for the General Plan, these initial principles help guide the General Plan process as it continues to unfold:

Learn more about the Guiding Principles.

The General Plan Update team includes City staff, and our consultant team consisting of Dyett & Bhatia and the Deeply Rooted Collaborative.

City staff leading the project are named below.

General

Land Use and Transportation Element (LUTE)

Noise Element

Infrastructure & and Capital Facilities Element

Open Space, Conservation, and Recreation (OSCAR) Element

Community Engagement

The Oakland Paratransit for the Elderly and Disabled (OPED) is closer to the community than ever before! On July 28, 2025, OPED’s customer service front office moved to the Downtown Oakland Senior Center, located at 200 Grand Avenue.

Oakland Paratransit for the Elderly & Disabled (OPED) assists adults with disabilities and seniors with supplemental transportation services. Contracted vendors provide curb-to-curb and door-to-door subsidized transportation service to eligible program participants who cannot access public transportation, by subsidizing taxi, Uber/Lyft or wheelchair van service to non-emergency medical appointments, shopping trips and other local destinations.

Eligibility

If you are an Oakland resident, 70 or older, you do not need to register with East Bay Paratransit, but it is recommended to ensure additional service options.

If you are an Oakland resident, 18-69 years old, you must be an active client with East Bay Paratransit prior to receiving OPED services.

There is no income requirement

GoGo Grandparent

Subsidized rides on Uber/Lyft. No cell phone needed, rides are booked by staff at a call center 24 hours/7 days per week.

To enroll- call GoGo Grandparent, 1-855-464-6872 and ask to enroll in the "City of Oakland Partnership"

$8.00 discount for up to 8 ride for residents

Taxi Scrip

Each eligible program participant may purchase a quarterly amount of taxi scrip books at a discount. Participants arrange their own rides by calling the taxi company under contract with the City. Program participants purchase taxi scrip books with a personal check, cashier's check or money order only.

No cash or cards please.

Van Vouchers

Each eligible program participant may purchase a quarterly amount of van vouchers at a discount. Participants arrange their own rides by calling one of the van companies under contract with the City. Each voucher is good for a one-way trip of up to 10 miles. Program participants purchase van vouchers with a personal check, cashier's check or money order only.

No cash or cards please.

Group Trips

This program provides senior groups in Oakland accessible transportation to community events, social activities, sporting events, and other local destinations. Group trips must be within a 45-mile radius of origin address and cost a base reservation fee $35 per trip. This program does not cover event registration, tickets or access fees.

For questions or to request a reservation, please call (510) 238-3036.

Reservations are accepted Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Group trips can be booked for Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Taxi Up and Go (TUGO) is a program for clients who need door-through-door transportation service assisted by an escort or companion. The TUGO Program provides taxi scrips free of charge to eligible Oakland and Piedmont residents enrolled in the City of Oakland's Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) or Senior Companion Program (SCP) that meet all the eligibility criteria listed below:

In partnership with the City of Emeryville, Oakland residents living in the 94608-zip code may be eligible for 8-To-Go, a subsidized, door-to-door, shared, wheelchair accessible transportation service. Applications and punch cards are available for purchase through the Emeryville Senior Center by calling 510-596-3730.

ACTC "Your Transportation Dollars at Work"

Programs are funded by the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC)

For more information about Measure B/BB and other transportation services throughout Alameda County, follow the following links:

Additional Resources

About

Accessible, transportation services for seniors and physically disabled residents in Oakland. Our services are for Oakland residents 18 years or older who cannot access public transportation. Explore the links above to find out more about what we offer!