At home at BART

The average BART rider may not know the term “transit-oriented development,” but when trains enter Oakland’s MacArthur Station, they see it face-to-face.

A seven-story building with lime-green accents covers land that five years ago held parking lots. It’s part of a 385-unit apartment complex being marketed as “sleek and modern with a retro vibe … perfect for your life on the go.” A few yards away, workers have nearly completed the concrete frame for a 24-story apartment tower that will open next spring.

MacArthur’s transformation isn’t an isolated event. Construction is under way or recently completed at seven other East Bay BART stations, and projects at three others could break ground within the next year. Cities across the system are putting plans in place to allow bigger buildings near BART.