The 31 Wharf property will deliver eight units of much needed 2- and 3-bedroom housing for community members in downtown Bolinas. The property will be deed restricted for people who qualify as low, very-low, and extremely low income. These designations equate to 80%, 50%, and 30% of area median income (AMI), which are benchmarks for affordability established by the Housing of Urban Development (HUD) and used by the County of Marin.

In the April 2023 meeting of the BCLT Board of Directors, John Lum Architecture presented a revised site plan that is substantially compliant with the existing coastal permit for the project. Due to cost constraints, the project had to be redesigned and reduced in size by roughly 20%. This exercise allowed BCLT to review the input originally gathered from the community and to incorporate many of the suggestions to create what we hope will be a more pleasing and well accepted project. In addition, space has been allocated to preserve the outdoor stage at Smiley’s (final design decisions will be made by Smiley’s co-owners) and the buildings have been moved farther apart to allow more light to flow through to each of the neighboring properties.

On behalf of the BCLT, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to the many private individuals and funders who have stepped in to keep this project moving forward. Their generosity and vision are matched by financial backing from the County of Marin Housing Trust Fund, Marin Community Foundation, Clearinghouse Community Development Finance Institution, Measure W, and HUD. Without this vital support, we could not fulfill our mission to create and preserve affordable housing in Bolinas and Stinson Beach. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for staying the course with us.

This project was designed by John Lum with time donated to the BCLT by his architectural firm, John Lum Architecture.