San Pablo Property Transformed

into a Good Neighbor 

East Bay Asian Local

Development Corporation,

California The transformation of an industrial lot into affordable housing 

units is the most recent accomplishment for the East Bay Asian 

Local Development Corporation (EBALDC). The neighborhood 

around the former Parker Trucking property, located in a former 

industrial area, included an adjacent elementary school and a 

residential neighborhood across the street. Recognizing the 

property’s potential, EBALDC bought the property in Fall 2004 with 

the desire to transform the industrial lot into residential housing. 

The 7-acre Parker Trucking site had a history of industrial uses 

dating back to 1944. The site was once a railroad spur where 

materials were offloaded from trains and transferred to cargo trucks. 

In 1955, a truck washing facility was constructed on the site and 

used until 2003. The property was also eventually used as a trucking 

dispatch and storage yard. Operations ceased at the property in 

2003, at which point EBALDC became interested in the property 

because of its size (large, developable properties are rare in the San 

Pablo area). Even as EBALDC investigated purchasing options and 

contamination concerns at the property, people were illegally 

dumping on the property, breaking into its vacant buildings, and 

stealing items. In addition, the extent of the property’s contamination 

was unknown because of the diversity of uses and products brought 

onto the site. An EPA Targeted Brownfields Assessment was 

conducted on the property in 2003 to help classify contamination and 

encourage redevelopment. With the assessment completed, 

EBALDC purchased the property in 2004. In 2005, they demolished 

six buildings on the site and oversaw the removal of several 

underground storage tanks (USTs). 

EBALDC split the property into two parcels, planning to sell one to a 

private developer to build market-rate townhouses, and remaining as 

owner of the second, for development into affordable housing. With 

this promising redevelopment plan, EBALDC applied for and 

received two $200,000 EPA Brownfields Cleanup grants, one in 2004 

and the second in 2005. The funding was used to address soil 

contamination including arsenic, chromium, lead, PCEs, and other 

contaminants. Additional cleanup funding was leveraged by project 

partners, including the City of San Pablo and a construction loan 

The former Parker Trucking company 

before demolition. 

JUST THE FACTS: • EBALDC split the property into two 

parcels, planning to sell one to a 

private developer to build market-rate 

townhouses, and remaining as owner 

of the second, for development into 

affordable housing. 

• Remediation cost approximately 

$850,000 for both parcels and 

included the removal of 6,800 tons 

of contaminated soil that was 

replaced with clean backfill. 

• EBALDC sold a 4-acre parcel 

to Pulte Homes, as planned, for 

development of 74 market-rate 

condominiums. 

In addition to housing,

the affordable rental development

will include a child care center

and community room available to

the public, a playground, and

a landscaped courtyard.

continued • 
from U.S. Bank. Overall, remediation cost approximately $850,000 for both parcels and included the 

removal of 6,800 tons of contaminated soil that was replaced with clean backfill. The parcels were 

entered into the California Regional Water Quality Control Board voluntary cleanup program 

and received a No Further Action letter from the state in November 2005. 

Once cleanup was completed, EBALDC sold a 4-acre parcel to Pulte Homes, as 

planned, for development of 74 market-rate townhouses. The money from the 

sale helped to offset EBALDC’s costs of the affordable housing 

development. The two developers coordinated their building designs to 

ensure that the two projects complimented each other. In addition to 

housing, the affordable rental development will include a child care center 

and community room available to the public, a playground, and a landscaped 

courtyard. The two developers also updated the property’s utilities and 

surrounding roads, to provide improved access. During cleanup and 

redevelopment, EBALDC ensured that neighborhood residents were 

informed of activities, which allowed local stakeholders to ask questions or 

provide feedback on the utility updates in the area. 

This $27 million project received additional support from project partners 

including the City of San Pablo (in the form of a low interest loan), U.S. Bank 

(which provided a commercial rate loan), Contra Costa County (another low interest 

loan), and the National Equity Fund (NEF) (through a tax credit program). Ener Chiu, 

EBALDC project manager, states, “The significant accomplishment for this project was making the 

deal happen between three land owners. It was critical to convince everyone that this project would 

work and would be a benefit to the city.” The neighborhood is already benefiting from the new project 

by no longer having a facility generating hazardous waste next to the elementary school. The 

improvements to the former industrial site and to surrounding roads and utilities will help increase 

nearby property values as well. 

The EBALDC development will meet a tremendous need for additional 

rental housing for those who can not afford to purchase a home in the 

San Pablo area. These are large, well finished, familyfriendly units 

that incorporate green materials including linoleum floors (which 

require no stripping or coatings) and low-petroleum containing 

carpets. These affordable units opened in May 2007. The 

market-rate housing already has 45 finished units and will 

complete the remaining units by the end of 2007. The new use of 

this former industrial property complements surrounding 

development as well as the adjacent elementary school. It is likely 

that these new developments will lead to an increased sense of 

community and enhance the quality of life for surrounding residents. 

CONTACTS:

For more information contact 

U.S. EPA REGION 9 

(415) 972-3092 

Visit the EPA Brownfields Web site at: 

http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/ 

Housing development and 

courtyard area under construction. 

Brownfields Success Story Solid Waste EPA 560-F-07-208 

East Bay Asian LDC, California and Emergency June 2007 

Response (5105T) www.epa.gov/brownfields/