Top Policy Group Tours Bay Meadows

Bay Meadows recently hosted SPUR, the Bay Area urban planning and policy think tank, for a lengthy tour of the project. Nearly 50 energized SPUR members joined us to hear from Bay Meadows’ leaders and designers.

With SPUR’s expertise in tackling tough regional infrastructure issues, such as housing, transportation and sustainability, members were well-informed about Bay Meadows and its position as a model transit-oriented development.

courtesy SPUR/Noah Christman

Kicking the tour off – at Bay Meadows’ Welcome Center, of course – Wilson Meany’s Whitney Morris and San Mateo zoning administrator Darcy Forsell gave a media-rich overview of the history and scope of the project.

As the group exited the Welcome Center, Kevin Conger of CMG Landscape Architecture was on-hand to deliver the story behind Bay Meadows’ extensive parks. The vision for the 18-acres of open space was born out of rigorous commitment to both environmental sustainability, as well as a pedestrian-friendly experience.

KevinConger_CGM

From there, the group strolled to Bay Meadows’ community garden, Persimmon Park. Stefani Bittner and Mike Irvine of Star Apple Edible Gardens welcomed the group beside the newly installed public sculptures by artist/arborist Evan Shively.

ShivelySculptures

Participants donned hard-hats for a sneak peek into Bay Meadows’ new 108-unit rental community, Field House. The BDE Architecture-designed space features a pool, an outdoor fireplace, barbecue areas, a fitness center and more sought-after amenities. Model apartments are coming in November.

FieldHouse_Apartments

Next stop was Nueva School, which opened to 160 talented youths in September. An uber-sustainable building by Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects, Nueva boasts numerous sustainable hallmarks, such as a green roof and bicycle parking. The school doesn’t allow kids to drive there, but instead offers Caltrain passes to encourage fewer cars on campus.

courtesy, SPUR/Noah Christman

The last stop, closest to the Caltrain station, was Bay Meadows’ office trailer. Wilson Meany Vice President Elizabeth Billante oriented the group around Bay Meadows’ 3D standing model and communicated the vision for the project’s integrated office and retail component. Wilson Meany recently announced plans to break ground on the 210k SF Station 4 project, one of five HOK Architects-designed office buildings coming to Bay Meadows.

Grab your phone, strike a pose and snap those pics! As we develop community, we want to see how you live or play at Bay Meadows. Share your fun lifestyle photos with our community by using #baymeadowslife in our Fame x Frame Photo Contest. You could WIN $50 or our Grand Prize of $500 at the end of 2014 and be featured in a live pop-up photo gallery exhibit. Click here for official rules. Each month, Bay Meadows will select one photo to WIN a $50 gift card at Whole Foods Market San Mateo. Simply hop on instagram or twitter at tag us using #baymeadowslife or submit up to 10 photos per month to photos@BayMeadows.com .

Be sure to follow Bay Meadows on FacebookTwitterInstagram and Pinterest. We’ll be sharing your Bay Meadows story!