Analysis

Silver Line: East Berkeley-Dudley

Blue Line: Maverick-Suffolk Downs

 

We analyzed the blue and silver line using a combination of social and physical capacity variables. Using the framework we developed as a class, we identified Dudley Square Station as our Silver Line node and Maverick Station as our Blue Line.

 

The Blue Line nodes were very comparable for social need. The percentage of cost burdened owners, cost burdened renters and percentage of low income households were similarly high. Therefore, we had to use our physical variables as the deciding factor of our node. Physically, Maverick Station was a clear stand out for available vacant private land, opportunity to develop existing parcels using the opportunity floor area ratio (FAR), and the difference between potential density and current density. We excluded Suffolk Downs, despite a high percentage of vacant exempt property, for two primary reasons: one, Suffolk Downs will be in use as a racing track through 2018 and therefore unavailable for development; and two, the McClellan Highway Development Company has acquired the property title for further development.

 

Dudley Square was a similar standout station. It ranked the highest for physical opportunity in all categories and was comparable only to one other station--Melnea Cass Boulevard--for social need. We decided to utilize the physical space in Dudley Square over the higher social needs for Melnea Cass Boulevard, with the justification that Dudley came in second for social need.

 

Both Dudley Square and Maverick have the highest combination of social and physical needs and therefore are our best opportunities for transit-oriented, equitable development.