POLARIS VILLAGE
Chris Desponds, Dini Amattullah, Rashida Chase VISION
Polaris Village, formerly Golden Gate Fields, is a 140-acre site located in both Albany and Berkeley, that boasts unparalleled views of the Bay, Bay Shore Trail access, proximity to UC Berkeley, and is designed to be a beacon for cultural and recreational use along the shoreline. We envision a new, walkable urban village with welcoming publicly accessible waterfront space designed for the local community and economy that frames the local landscape and city skyline, promotes ecological restoration, and strengthens people’s connection to the water and the Bay through thoughtful programming and design.
Polaris Village seeks to celebrate the history, resilience, and strength of the communities of Albany and Berkeley by reconnecting people who have been historically disconnected from the waterfront, restoring trust by building meaningful, rooted community partnerships that empower local residents, and recognize the impact of past harms and ensure they are not duplicated.
•
•
•
A new, walkable urban village with welcoming publicly accessible waterfront space designed for the local community and economy that stands as a beacon of community, active space, and ecological restoration along the Bay shoreline.
Type V construction
T-1 Bond for recreational spaces and public infrastructure
•
Measure O for affordable housing
0.5 parking per DU in ground-floor parking with stackers • Rare hotel opportunity • Capitalizing on regional demand for housing • Diversified product offerings speed up lease-up schedule and create resiliency • Reduction in cap rates • Reduction in capital costs • Additional grants, bonds, financing options
LAND USE & GROUND FLOOR BUSINESS STRATEGY & INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK Restore Reconnect Recognize LANDSCAPE/OPEN SPACE CIRCULATION & PARKING Partnerships with local artists and arts organizations, and the creation of venue and maker space that will host artist residencies, as well dedicated space for Love the Bulb 1,500 dwelling units in support of the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) Landscape strategy operates on three interconnected scales: the neighborhood, the watershed, and the broader bay area region Reduced Cost Increased Income Future Opportunity 40% Polaris Village 140 Acres 40% 6% 13% 1% PLACEMAKING People and community are at the heart of the vision of a new, walkable urban village with welcoming publicly accessible waterfront space designed for the local community and economy that stands as a Beacon of Community, active space, and ecological restoration along the Bay shoreline. Polaris Village will foster a deep connection to the water and the Bay while serving as a welcoming space for recreation, cultural activities, and economic growth. Debt 30% 70% Equity $97.4 M $41.8 M
PROJECT TIMELINE PROJECTED RETURNS DEVELOPMENT TRANSECT SEA LEVEL RISE, HIGH TIDE AND FLOODRISK 2026 Year 0 2031 Year 5 2036 Year 10 2041 Year 15 Ballot (Month 11) Option Agreement Horizontal Construction begins (Month 40) Multifamily Pads 1 + 2, Hotel Pad 1, Retail Pad Sale (Month 58) Multifamily Pad 3 & Hotel Pad 2 Sale (Month 95) Multifamily Pad 4 Sale (Month 132) Multifamily Pad 5 Sale (Month 169) Entitlements Architecture & Engineering Construction Community Engagement Capital Event Horizontal Entitlements Option Agreement closes/ Land Acquisition (Month 39) Due Diligence (2025) CAMPAIGN STRATEGY Our campaign strategy is rooted locally, with community groups including Neighborhood Associations, City Planning Commissioners, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Albany Unified School District, as well as with influencers. We plan on mobilizing support by participating in local events, causes, and organizations, as well as through sponsorships and the engagement of volunteers. Our team will also build relationships with local media outlets and we will have a strong presence on social media. As we near the ballot measure in November 2026, our call to action will be communicated via direct mail, social media, phone banking, text messaging, doorto-door canvassing, print materials, and tabling at schools, bus stops, and grocery stores WATER ART COMMUNITY $44.3 M PROFIT $168.3 M PROFIT TODAY’S MARKET FUTURE OPPORTUNITY
