What was the name of the Redwood City building that burned to the ground on Monday?

Phil Mayer3-3 mins 04/06/2024

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. ( KRON ) — A Redwood City building went up in flames on Monday, forcing people who live nearby to evacuate. Before the building was destroyed, it was part of a project that was on track to have 179 affordable housing units.

There were two buildings that were part of in the construction project. One remains standing, despite the fact that another was destroyed on the morning of Monday while being constructed.

The huge fire whipped the fire department with 36 engine and 7 ladder truck to 2700 Block of Middlefield Road on Monday morning. The scaffolding on the exterior and the under construction frame and the interior structure of the building were smashed to pieces.

The fire resulted in a major cost to the community, after the sum of $155 million was put into to construct this affordable housing development. The project was 9 years on the drawing board according to the plan of development developed by San Mateo County.

The building was a recycling plant, but was demolished in the year 2015 according to the development plan. The proposed project included 179 apartments ranging between one and three bedroom, as well as a children’s center, and an space for the community to enjoy.

The apartments were planned for families whose incomes fall in between 15th to the 80th percentile of the median income for the region. The government also provided 20 units for homeless persons receiving care management and other supportive services from the San the health division of San Mateo County.

“This project will address the biggest challenge that is facing San Mateo County by providing quality homes at a reasonable cost,” San Mateo County District 4 Supervisor Warren Slocum said in 2023. “Here there is a brand new development that creates jobs during construction, and in the future, will result in affordable homes, which are surrounded to a variety of small family-owned businesses and restaurants, which will also profit.”

The $155 million raised for the construction the building, $78 million was offered through the California Housing Accelerator Fund, $30.5 million was from loans made by San Mateo County, $13 million came part of the American Rescue Plan Act, $6.78 million came made from the Measure K half-cent sales tax, and the remainder was derived from a the state grant program and private investment.

The fire has left one structure “total total loss” as per Santa Clara County, Menlo Park Menlo Park Fire Protection District Chief Mark Lorenzen.