El Camino Renewal, Berkeley Infill, and SF’s Clay Theater Revival

BAYAREAOWN WEEKLY RECAP

BAY AREA DEVELOPMENTS & REAL ESTATE

El Camino Real Roadway Renewal (Burlingame → San Mateo)
California Department of Transportation is launching the 82 Roadway Renewal Project this fall, a multi-year overhaul of El Camino Real through Burlingame, Millbrae, San Mateo, and Hillsborough. The plan will restore this historic corridor — home to the Howard-Ralston Tree Rows — while improving flood protection, pedestrian safety, and ADA accessibility. Community features include new benches, a history plaque walk, and even a time capsule, with work expected to last through 2027.

This project highlights the challenge of balancing historic preservation with modern infrastructure upgrades along one of the Peninsula’s busiest and most storied routes.

2200 Fifth Street (West Berkeley)
Plans are in for a mixed-use development at 2200 Fifth Street, replacing a parking lot with eight townhome-style units and two light industrial spaces. The $13M project totals 24,000 square feet, with three-story homes designed for families and moderate-income households priced out of single-family homes. Just two blocks from the Berkeley Amtrak station and Fourth Street shops, it’s transit-accessible but notably includes no deed-restricted affordable housing.

Berkeley is pushing infill housing near jobs and transit, but the lack of affordability requirements raises questions about how the city should balance growth with equity.

Clay Theater Revitalization (San Francisco)
After four years dark, the historic Clay Theater in Pacific Heights may soon return as a cultural landmark. Permits were filed to restore the 113-year-old single-screen theater at 2261 Fillmore Street as part of the Upper Fillmore Revitalization Project. The $5M plan includes seismic upgrades, new accessibility, modern AV systems, and a refreshed 200-seat auditorium hosting around 500 screenings annually. With Page & Turnbull handling preservation and Min Design shaping the future, the Clay could once again be a cornerstone for neighborhood arts.

San Francisco is working to preserve its historic architecture while updating spaces to serve today’s cultural needs — a balancing act many neighborhoods are watching closely.

MARKET TRENDS

Fed cuts rates 25 bps, first move since December

• The Fed lowered its benchmark rate to a 4.00%–4.25% range on September 17, marking its first cut of 2025.

• Decision reflects a softening job market and concerns about economic growth, even as inflation stays above target.

• Officials are projecting two more quarter-point rate cuts before year-end, signaling a shift toward easing policy.

• Lower rates could reduce mortgage and financing costs, improving affordability and sparking more demand, especially for buyers and developers.

Housing starts plunge to near 2½-year low

• Overall housing starts fell 8.5% in August to an annual rate of about 1.307 million units, marking the sharpest drop in months.

• Single-family starts dropped 7.0% month-over-month as excess inventory diminishes builder incentive.

• Building permits also declined—single-family permits down ~2.2%, signaling fewer new projects in the pipeline.

• Slower construction reduces new supply, which could help stabilize or even support home prices—but also highlights risk of supply shortfalls if demand rebounds.

📩 Want to better understand what this means for the future of Bay Area housing? We’re here to help — send us a message at [email protected].

FOOD & DRINK

JUST OPENED IN THE BAY AREA

YOUTUBE

TOP SF Peninsula Areas to Live RANKED by Schools & Values (2025)

On the Peninsula, home prices and school rankings don’t always match. In this video I compare districts like Palo Alto and Millbrae to reveal which areas give you the best educational value for your housing dollar.

UPCOMING EVENTS

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO?

Alameda — Alameda Point Antiques Faire (Sep 7)
Massive outdoor antiques/vintage market on the former NAS runway.

Berkeley/Albany — Solano Avenue Stroll (Sep 14)
Mile-long street festival with food, music, and makers.

Foster City — SF International Dragon Boat Festival (Sep 20–21)
High-energy dragon boat races plus food, music, and family fun at the lagoon.

Los Gatos — Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival (Sep 20–21)
Juried art, live music, and regional wineries downtown.

Mill Valley — Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival (Sep 20–21)
Redwood-grove fine arts fair in Old Mill Park.

Mountain View — Mountain View Art & Wine Festival (Sep 6–7)
Castro Street takeover with arts, bites, and pours.

Newark — Newark Days (Sep 18–21)
Carnival rides, parade, and community fest.

Oakland — Oakland First Fridays (Sep 5); Friday Nights at OMCA (Sep 5, 12, 19, 26)
Art walk and night market vibes in Uptown + museum courtyard food trucks.

Pacifica — Fog Fest (Sep 27–28)
Coastal parade, live music, and local vendors on Palmetto Ave.

San Francisco —
Il Giro di SF (Sep 1) · Fort Mason Night Market (Sep 5) · Opera in the Park (Sep 7) · SF Symphony Gala (Sep 12) · Flower Piano (Sep 12–21) · Portola Music Festival (Sep 20–21) · Sunday Streets Western Addition (Sep 21) · Folsom Street Fair (Sep 28) · Golden Gate Park Band Sundays (Sep 7, 14, 21, 28)

San Jose — Luna Park Chalk Art Festival (Sep 20)
Sidewalk art takeover at Backesto Park.

San Mateo — Singapore Festival (Sep 21)
Cultural food, music, and performances in Central Park.

Santa Clara — Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival (Sep 13–14)
Central Park tradition with local artists and wineries.

Sonoma — Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival (Sep 26–28)
Wine country parade, grape stomp, and live music.

Woodside — Kings Mountain Art Fair (Aug 30–Sep 1)
Redwood-ridge fine arts show on Skyline Blvd.

Not sure what to do next? Big changes are underway — El Camino Real is getting a full makeover, Berkeley is adding new infill housing, and San Francisco’s Clay Theater is being restored. At the same time, the housing market is shifting: buyers are gaining leverage in some pockets, while sellers who price right are still seeing quick sales. Whether you’re planning to buy, sell, or just watch the market, we’ll turn these trends into a clear, no-jargon plan tailored to your goals.

[email protected]