Ohlone College Scraps Apartment Development Plans

FREMONT, CA — Ohlone College announced Monday that it has scrapped plans to build 275 apartments along its frontage. The apartments were intended to be a revenue source separate from the state. Ohlone is projected to lose almost 11 percent of its total general funds when the new California Community College funding formula takes effect in 2021-22. Scenarios supplied by the state Chancellor’s Office and increasing costs indicate the college will receive an approximate $7 million apportionment reduction that year and each year thereafter.

The Ohlone Community College District had partnered with Steelwave LLC on a proposed mixed-use development plan called The Mission at Village Walk, which would have included 275 residential units to rent, and 6,500 square feet of retail area with walkways and land designated for leisure activity.

However, increased housing is a hot-button issue in Fremont as residents fume over choking traffic.

“Our mission at Ohlone College is to serve the community, and upon hearing our community’s concerns about the project proposal, we paused and took them into great consideration,” says Dr. Gari Browning, President and Superintendent of the Ohlone College District. “Our neighbors are a big part of our Ohlone family and maintaining that unity was important in making this decision.”

Ohlone College has served 375,000 students in its 51 year history and adds an estimated $330 million to the local economy every year, according to the college.

“Ohlone College, its excellent faculty and staff intend to continue providing the community a high-quality education,” says Browning. “However, we are facing a dire financial situation with the new California Community College funding formula, and we know that our local community will show their support as we go through this challenging period.”

With budget cuts looming and the development project off the table, the College is looking at several possible solutions including a parcel tax proposal, leasing a portion of its land for wine grape production, continued efforts in hosting the Tri-Cities Street Fair as a means of increasing revenue and also serving the community, and the possibility of moving a Starbucks on to campus.

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