Greenbelt Alliance will lead a free walking tour of downtown San Rafael housing developments on Sept. 11, from 4 to 6 p.m.
The one-mile walk starts near the "Where the Fountain Dreams" art installation in front of Chonmage Japanese Restaurant at 1020 Court St. Jessie Rountree, Greenbelt Alliance's Marin resilience manager, will guide participants through existing, proposed and in-progress housing sites.
The tour will also cover walking, biking and transit improvements and climate solutions planned for downtown. The Oakland-based nonprofit is billing the event as a way to celebrate Transit Month, according to its Eventbrite listing.
Downtown San Rafael has several large residential proposals in the pipeline. As of late June, 368 apartments were under construction citywide and another 1,945 had been approved, the Marin Independent Journal reported. Recent proposals include an eight-story, 331-unit building at the Safeway site on B Street, an eight-story, 200-unit project at 901 E St., a 13-story, 188-unit building at 1248 Fifth Ave. and an eight-story, 131-unit building at 1030 Third St.
The state requires San Rafael to facilitate 3,220 new homes by 2031. Over the past five years, the city has received 18 applications for major residential complexes, and 17 used the state density bonus law, according to the Marin Independent Journal. In June, the City Council directed staff to study a potential density cap on downtown development at an estimated cost of $80,000.
The pace has drawn mixed reactions. Gina Silvestri, president of the Gerstle Park Neighborhood Association, told the Marin Independent Journal in June, "It seems like by the week, we're hearing about another massive apartment complex."
The Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District is co-promoting the tour. After the walk, attendees can stay for the 2nd Friday Summer Market & Art Walk.
The tour is free, but reservations are required through Eventbrite.
Extreme heat would cancel the event. Organizers recommend comfortable shoes and sun protection.
