Alameda County

A group of socially distanced tents for the homeless are set up on a parking lot in San Francisco's Civic Center.

Number of Unhoused People Lower in San Francisco, but Growing Across the Bay Area

While the city saw fewer people experiencing homelessness for the first time in years, homelessness across six Bay Area counties grew by 8 percent.

May 18, 2022 - San Francisco Chronicle

Social Distancing

Vaccinated Californians Estimated to Account for 20% of Current COVID Infections

State and national health authorities are unusually tight-lipped when it comes to so-called vaccine breakthrough infections, so one Bay Area newspaper editorial page editor did the math himself.

August 12, 2021 - The Mercury News

COVID Testing

'By the Numbers': California Shows How to Reopen Safely

Unlike other states that lifted restrictions statewide after coronavirus cases plummeted, California replaced its regional stay-home order with a county-based blueprint, permitting counties to advance based on performance in three health metrics.

March 4, 2021 - The Mercury News

Shipping San Francisco Bay

Bay Area Ordered to Shelter in Place

Six Bay Area counties have taken drastic action to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus. "Please read this Order carefully. Violation of or failure to comply with this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both."

March 17, 2020 - San Francisco Chronicle

Silicon Valley, facing Downtown San Jose

Zuckerberg and Company Set Goals on Housing Policy and Affordable Housing

With over $500 million in resources, the Partnership for the Bay’s Future is funding policy and affordable housing projects throughout the region.

February 23, 2020 - The Mercury News

Northern California Toll Lane

More Toll Lanes Coming to California Freeways

Solo drivers in the Golden State will have more options to escape traffic congestion on busy freeways – for a price, as transportation agencies increasing decide to convert existing carpool lanes to high-occupancy toll lanes and add new ones.

January 2, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

View from Bayview Park in San Francisco, California

Bay Area Displacement and Gentrification Trends Have Regional Consequences

Displacement in the San Francisco Bay Area has resulted in distinct mobility patterns and significant race and class inequalities.

October 11, 2018 - Urban Displacement Project

Maryvale Arizona Desert West Community Center Skateboard Park

Creative Placemaking's Role in Enhancing Community Safety

Efforts across the country show that these projects have the added benefit of improving community safety.

September 30, 2018 - Urban Institute

Antioch, California

BART TOD Bill Advances Despite Opposition from East Bay Cities

Amidst fierce opposition from East Bay cities who want to control the destiny of BART parking lots in their jurisdictions, Assembly Bill 2923, which would partially preempt local land use authority, passed a critical committee last Thursday.

August 20, 2018 - San Francisco Chronicle

Dublin, California Freeway

Bay Area Express Lanes Turn a Profit

Not all of them, just the I-580 lanes. One of the reasons is that most users are actually paying, unlike the other two express lanes where a majority of users are clean-air vehicles or carpools, neither of which pay.

December 12, 2017 - San Francisco Chronicle

Only a Year Old, Bay Area's Newest Express Lanes Rated a Success

A report produced by the county authority that built and operates the I-580 Express Lanes in the Bay Area declares them a success. Operating speeds are faster and congestion is reduced. About 11 percent of the freeway traffic uses the toll lanes.

March 21, 2017 - SF Gate

God Rides BART

Bay Area Sends Mixed Message on BART Funding

BART won big on election night with the passage of Measure RR, a $3.5 billion infrastructure bond measure. But the San Francisco Chronicle observes that results from two other local ballot measures suggest a mixed message on the rapid transit system.

December 2, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Homeless Encampment

San Francisco Voters Express Frustration with Tent Living

Voters appear to have passed the most contentious ballot measure in San Francisco, Proposition Q, that allows city workers to remove tent encampments if shelter is available. Voters in other Bay Area counties passed taxes for affordable housing.

November 11, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Tenants' Rights

Rent and Eviction Controls on the November Ballot in Six Bay Area Cities

Voters in six Bay Area cities in four Bay Area counties will determine the outcome of eight ballot measures on rent and eviction control. Two of the cities will have city council-sponsored measures competing against voter initiatives.

September 16, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Ride Hailing to Replace Former Bus Route

A small public transit company serving the East Bay will be the first in California to conduct a pilot project to use transportation network companies and taxis to service low density areas of Dublin in Alameda County.

August 27, 2016 - KQED News

Heavy Rains Cause Bay Area Commuter Rail Derailment

California's much-needed rains took their toll Monday night on an Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) train transporting commuters between the San Joaquin and Silicon Valleys. Mudslides and a possible tree fall derailed two of the five passenger cars.

March 9, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Surprise Survey Finding on Density in the Bay Area

San Francisco and the Bay Area, known for their exorbitant housing prices and not unrelated, strong NIMBY attitudes, could be softening their opposition toward increasing density in their neighborhoods.

July 6, 2015 - San Jose Mercury News

$400 Million Needed for Oakland NFL Stadium Deal Lacks Political Support

One city is prioritizing fiscal sanity over a new football stadium—at least for now.

May 27, 2015 - SFGate

Local Revenue Funding More Bay Area Road Maintenance

The greater Bay Area is enjoying a substantial increase in road maintenance funding from local measures, like bonds, city and county sales taxes, and development fees, part of a growing trend in compensating for a shortage of state gas tax funds.

January 27, 2015 - Inside Bay Area.com

Oakland skyline and San Francisco Bay

The Biggest Transportation Winner on the Nov. 4 Ballot

The ballot measure generating the most new transportation funds approved by voters this month was in Alameda County, Calif. Voters chose to double an existing sales tax to one percent and extend it to 2045, raising $7.8 billion over 30 years.

November 16, 2014 - Contra Costa Times

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