Redwood City’s Transit District plans for an upgraded transit center with new housing, jobs and retail. The City-led initiative is an opportunity to expand transportation amenities, create a community gathering place and support the vitality of Downtown.

With the redevelopment of Sequoia Station, Lowe and Eden Housing aim to create a project that supports Redwood city’s vision for the Transit District – as well as the City’s goals for creating an inclusive community and advancing equity. Building a sustainable community where residents of all income levels can access resources including safe affordable housing, mobility, jobs, high-quality schools, and food is key to the Sequoia Station project team’s redevelopment strategy. The team aspires to advance equity by providing building high-quality affordable housing directly on transit, providing lower income residents improved access to critical resources.

The Sequoia Station team is excited about the opportunity to support Redwood City’s Equity Plan. By engaging with the community and using the Redwood City Equity Plan as a guiding framework throughout the decision and design process, the Sequoia Station team seeks to deliver important benefits to the Redwood City community. Key project elements that support Redwood City’s 2021 Equity Plan include: 
 

Housing Security  

Supporting the Housing Element  
Redwood City has been a leader in new housing development. The city is required by the state to plan for at least 4,588 new homes in the next eight years but is planning to meet 150% of its goal, preparing for 6,880 new homes in its recently published Housing Element. Sequoia Station will deliver 631 new homes and the Transit District overall can deliver up to 1,100, supporting Redwood City in quickly making progress on their housing requirements. 

Building Affordable Housing Downtown 
Sequoia Station will deliver 631 new homes to downtown Redwood City – with 40% (254) of the homes offered at very-low, low, and moderate rate affordability levels. This commitment makes Sequoia Station the largest single contributor of affordable homes in the Redwood City housing pipeline – and will provide lower income Redwood City residents high-quality affordable housing directly adjacent to transit and community resources. 
 

Transportation  

Expanding Public Transit 
A redeveloped Sequoia Station will dedicate approximately 1 acre of land to Caltrain for track expansion. Expansion of rail service and equitable access to transportation provides access to opportunity including jobs, education and critical community resources. Placing affordable housing directly on public transit also provides improved mobility and more equitable access for residents of all income levels. 

Improving Bike & Walking Infrastructure 
Sequoia Station’s redevelopment supports Redwood City’s El Camino Real Corridor Plan by the improvement and creation of protected bike lanes and safe walkable streets. These infrastructure upgrades will empower and expand community access to active transportation.   

Children & Youth

Childcare
Sequoia Station will deliver 10,000 square feet of childcare, providing much needed and accessible childcare downtown and on transit. 

Family-Friendly Experiences
Sequoia Station will include retail space dedicated to family-friendly entertainment and educational opportunities for youth. 

Economic Empowerment & Mobility

Jobs Creation
Sequoia Station will create jobs at various skill, training, and education levels during and after the development process in construction, office, retail and service.  

Economic Vitality
The new office space and the improved sidewalks and bike paths in the Downtown Core will improve foot traffic to the area and increase the tax base to further support existing businesses and the economic vitality of Redwood City. 

Mobility & Access
Providing employment opportunities directly on transit improves mobility and access, which is impactful to lower income communities.  
 

Sustainability

In Redwood City, and globally, climate change disproportionately affects those who are least responsible for generating greenhouse gas emissions, most vulnerable to negative impacts, and least able to adapt. Transportation upgrades and creation of a more sustainable Redwood City for all residents are primary goals of the Sequoia Station redevelopment proposal.

Expanding Public Transit
Sequoia Station supports Caltrain’s 2040 Business Plan – an initiative to expand rail service and support the ridership of 180,0000 daily Caltrain passengers. The increased capacity called for by the plan is equivalent to a reduction of 110 metric tons of GHG emissions every day and takes nearly a million vehicle miles off Bay Area roads. Reducing GHG is critical to lowering our impact on the environment and improving the health of all residents and our planet.

Active Transportation
By improving Downtown Redwood City’s walking and biking infrastructure, the redevelopment of Sequoia Station will empower residents to reduce car trips and utilize active modes of transportation. 

Infill Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
Sequoia Station is an infill transit-oriented development (TOD). Building more densely where there is existing transit and infrastructure reduces greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the distance people need to travel to access jobs and essential services. 

Green Building 
Sequoia Station is targeting multiple Green Building certifications, and will implement sustainable features including electric, solar, low carbon and energy efficient systems in support of Redwood City’s Climate Action Plan. 
 

Social Inclusion 

Public Gathering Spaces
A redeveloped Sequoia Station will include modern activated retail and a new central plaza, vibrant community gathering spaces, and an artist grove. The new walkable and activated street level and open spaces will be accessible to all Redwood City residents. The public art installations at Sequoia Station will be intentionally curated to celebrate and embrace all cultures and ethnicities and will value the contributions of all members of the community.  

Public Safety

Safer Streets & Improved Access
Redevelopment of Sequoia Station will lead to both day and night activation at the street-level, and safe walkable streets. Day and nighttime active uses, including programming, dining and retail, put more eyes on the ground and as a result help deter crime. Sequoia Station will create jobs and provide improved access and increased mobility to opportunities and resources.