Dive Brief:
- Google has unveiled a framework, master plan and automobile-reduction strategy for a new development, as presented to the City of Mountain View, California. The plan expands on an existing neighborhood initiative that would see the tech giant site’s existing office buildings and parking lot transformed into a “Complete Neighborhood."
- Google wants to convert the land it owns in two existing neighborhoods, transforming unneeded office space into up to 6,600 new homes, 20% of which would be affordable for low-, moderate- and middle-income individuals and families, with 70% for rent and the rest for sale. The company would also dedicate more than 35 acres to accessible public space, including pedestrian and bike paths, as well as invest in an expanded community shuttle service and other transportation improvements meant to "reduce greenhouse gas emissions." Google also plans to build space for retail, small business and community services, as well as a new elementary school.
- The company is asking Mountain View to reallocate 1.1 million square feet of office space already approved for another neighborhood to the target parcel; adopt a four-to-one of square footage between residential and office, respectively; approve a new supplemental transportation impact fee to fund a portion of the proposed transportation improvements; reduce developer impact fees in exchange for providing community benefits; grant a 25-year lease to Google for a company-funded parking structure and amphitheater; and enter into a development agreement with the company that would protect the interests of both Google and Mountain View. The city approved Google's housing plan in December 2017, but it now hinges on whether Mountain View will grant the floor area reallocation (FAR), an issue that city officials will take up early next year.
Dive Insight:
Housing options in tech-heavy Mountain View are infamously limited, particularly for those with lower incomes. Google has been trying to get a housing plan off the ground for some time and last year ordered about $30 million worth of modular apartment units for its employees.
Google's Charleston East campus construction is underway near the company’s existing Mountain View headquarters. The project, which should be complete around the end of 2019, consists of a 600,000-square-foot office complex with sustainable and energy-efficient features, a 2-acre public plaza, pedestrian and bike trails to help ease local traffic congestion and ground floor retail, which is expected to attract those in the community.
