Congresswoman Simon Secures Federal Funding to Create New Community Plaza Adjacent to Ashby BART and Expand Open Space in South Berkeley

BERKELEY, CA - Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) recently secured $850,000 in federal Community Project Funding (CPF) for the City of Berkeley to design new public open spaces along Adeline Street, including a new main plaza adjacent to the future transit-oriented development on the west parking lot of the Ashby Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station.

The federal funding will support the design of a vibrant community plaza and other public open spaces for South Berkeley that will complement new housing, including affordable housing, as well as new commercial and community spaces. The project will also improve access to the BART station, including pedestrian and ADA access.

Last week, the Congresswoman announced the funding alongside Mayor of Berkeley Adena Ishii, Berkeley City Councilmember Ben Bartlett, BART General Manager Bob Powers, BART Board Director Barnali Ghosh, and community partners.

As a disability and transit justice advocate, Congresswoman Simon has long to create vibrant communities where there is equitable housing development near affordable and accessible transit. Additionally, during her time as BART Board President, she led on redeveloping the Ashby BART station. In Congress, Congresswoman Simon has also introduced the Connecting Communities Through Transit Planning Act, which would make permanent and expand the Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning to support housing projects near new or existing transit corridors.

"I helped jumpstart and plan the Ashby BART station transit-oriented development project when I served as BART Board President - and I am extremely proud to now secure nearly a million in federal funding to further the process on a new plaza that will complement the Ashby BART transit-oriented development," said Congresswoman Simon. "Transforming this public space along Adeline Street into a plaza where people can live, work, and play near affordable and accessible transit will be game changing and create more vibrant, connected communities that succeed both economically and culturally."

"I'm proud to join Congresswoman Simon in announcing this $850,000 investment in South Berkeley. It's one of our most diverse communities, and it's been underinvested in and underserved for too long. Now, we're changing that," said Mayor of Berkeley, Adena Ishii. "This project looks to create a future of greater economic opportunity and better access for people with disabilities, complementing the new housing already planned for Adeline Street."

This Community Project Funding (CPF) is a part of the $11.2 million dollars that Congresswoman Simon secured for 15 projects across the East Bay in Fiscal Year 2026. Each fiscal year, members of Congress can submit Community Project Funding requests for consideration with the House Committee on Appropriations.You can read about the 15 projects that Congresswoman Simon secured funding for in her first year here.

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