EMERYVILLE

A REGIONAL JOB CENTER

The result of these efforts has been a surge of development, including stores, offices,
hotels, and homes.82 The city’s central location makes it especially attractive
to businesses, and many biotech and software companies have moved there, as
well as businesses like Jamba Juice and the high-profile Pixar Animation Studios.

As of 2007, Emeryville had four jobs for every household, meaning that many workers commute into the city. But the city is continuing to add multi-family housing and mixed-use projects. Most new housing has been for people with incomes at least 20% above the median. The city has not met its need for lower-income housing, and so recently amended its inclusionary ordinance to make more homes, especially apartments, affordable to very-low-income households.

The Need for Livability
Until recently, the city’s planning had largely focused on attracting development to the city. Its big-box developments draw shoppers to Emeryville, but they also
worsen traffic and make portions of town less safe and inviting for pedestrians. The
city is now refining this approach and adding parks, local retail, and pedestrian
pathways. An update to its general plan offers a new opportunity to improve
Emeryville’s quality of life as it continues to grow.