West Alameda Equitable Mobility for All

Organization: TransForm

Funding Request: $450,000

Project Summary

TransForm will conduct a thorough and holistic assessment of the transportation needs of community members living and working on the west side of the City of Alameda.This assessment will focus on education, input, and interest in active, public, and shared modes of sustainable transportation. The results of the needs assessment will guide mobility plans and inform policy decisions that decrease VMT, encourage mode shift, and create safer neighborhoods that connect people to more opportunities.

Project Descriptions and Transportation Equity

The community needs assessment aims to engage culturally and linguistically diverse residents who are often excluded from planning processes. It will enhance local decision-making by offering resources, training, and education, allowing residents to express transportation challenges and envision improved mobility. The findings will inform the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) and Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) initiatives, promoting sustainable travel, safer streets, and prioritizing community needs in project planning. The assessment will also guide policy proposals and public transportation changes, fostering vibrant, less car-dependent neighborhoods. TransForm will leverage its experience to connect various community members to opportunities and provide education on active travel and technology, while expanding the Safe Routes Youth Task Force to involve high school students in planning and promoting active transportation.

Community Benefit

The project aims to improve transportation options for the west side of Alameda, which currently lacks bridges for active transportation and relies on limited ferry services and car access. This area, characterized by a 67% non-white and predominantly low-income population, has suffered from historical injustices such as redlining and exclusionary zoning, leading to underinvestment in services. The community includes vulnerable groups like seniors, immigrants, and formerly incarcerated individuals, and has a diverse population with many languages spoken. The area also hosts the Alameda Point Collaborative, a supportive housing program for formerly homeless residents, highlighting significant social challenges, including high rates of domestic violence and disabilities among residents.

Partnerships and Structure

TransForm will organize regular meetings with sub applicants and community partners, utilizing a shared Google Drive and Clickup for collaboration. They will conduct a community needs assessment by leveraging their experience with residents at affordable housing sites. The Alameda Point Collaborative (APC) will provide workforce development by training residents to engage their community and gather feedback. Together, APC and TransForm will analyze data and hold workshops for residents to co-create transportation solutions. The Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) will assist with outreach and data collection, while the City of Alameda will connect TransForm with local residents and incorporate assessment findings into the Active Transportation Plan. AUSD will also implement recommendations from the Safe Routes to Schools plan.