Citycentric investments is a real estate development partnership focusing exclusively on development projects in Berkeley, California. Ali Kashani and Mark Rhoades founded Citycentric in 2007, combining 35 years of experience in development and planning in the city of Berkeley. Prior to forming their partnership, they had a direct role in over 20 development projects in Berkeley.
In addition to the necessary areas of expertise they each bring to the partnership, Mr. Kashani and Mr. Rhoades’ public-minded values strengthen their working relationship both between them as well as with the community at large. Their depth of experience as leaders in the private, non-profit and public sectors brings a unique set of skills, resources, relationships and values that are well-matched with Berkeley and the challenging development environment it presents.
Citycentric was formed to create high-quality development in Berkeley that meets housing, economic and sustainable development needs that reflect Berkeley as the home of a world-class university in the center of the San Francisco Bay Area, one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. Citycentric seeks to optimize economic as well as community benefits in all of its projects.
Berkeley has many great qualities as a city including its architectural heritage, unique neighborhoods and social diversity. Mr. Kashani and Mr. Rhoades place a high importance on high-quality architecture that will positively impact streets and neighborhoods while providing housing opportunity to all segments of the population.
Mr. Kashani and Mr. Rhoades are residents of Berkeley and active members in the community. They are a part of the local planning and development community, business and financial community and non-profit organizations and local institutions. Mr. Kashani and Mr. Rhoades, along with their families, have had a personal friendship for over 6 years.
History
Mr. Kashani and Mr. Rhoades’ relationship began when they discovered their shared vision for a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous Berkeley. They met when Mr. Kashani was the Executive Director of Affordable Housing Associates and Mr. Rhoades was Berkeley’s Land Use Planning Manager. Along with their families, they have had a personal friendship for over 6 years. Their wives both grew up in Berkeley.
In the late 1990’s when Mark and Ali met, Berkeley was experiencing a substantial increase in new development after 25 years of little or no new development. These changes resulted in a very contentious political environment regarding land use and development, and in 2002 local citizens proposed a ballot measure to significantly reduce development potential on major corridors. Mr. Kashani was instrumental in organizing against this measure, Measure P, due to its potential impact on affordable housing. A strong coalition of environmental, labor, housing and transit advocates defeated Measure P by a 60 percent margin.
After 2002, the political dialogue in Berkeley continued to be dominated by land use and development, with the local newspaper, the Daily Planet, representing an anti-development agenda that used historic landmarking to obstruct new development. Recently, the political dialogue has become somewhat less contentious as it’s been acknowledged that Berkeley has fallen behind in economic opportunity, environmental sustainability and community progress. In 2008, Berkeley’s Climate Action Plan and the creation of a new Downtown Plan, in addition to other plans and transit improvements, are helping to foster more support of the potential environmental, social and economic benefits of using our land as efficiently as possible. Locating housing near public transit is recognized as the most important way to reduce oil consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In the Bay Area, people are looking to live a less car-dependent lifestyle. Home to the UC Berkeley campus, a 20 minute bus or BART ride to San Francisco, and its vibrant culture and recreational opportunities makes Berkeley the ideal city in the Bay Area for investment in new housing.