In This issue :
UPCOMING DISTRICT 2 EVENTS
1) 23rd Avenue Neighborhood Improvement Town Hall
Saturday, November 12, 10:00am - 12:00pm
2) Rebuilding Our Communities: A Vietnamese Bay Area Katrina Fundraiser
Sunday, November 13, 12:00pm - 3:00pm
3) Homeless Outreach Resources Fair at the Lake
Tuesday, November, 15, 10:00am - 3:00pm
4) East 18th Street Gateway Project Community Meeting
Wednesday, November 16, 4:00pm - 6:30pm
6)
Trees
at Lake Merritt - Community Meeting on Nov. 30.
Wednesday, November 30, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
OCTOBER 2005 REPORTS
1) Businesses and Organizations Urged to Adopt-A-School
3) "Attracting Retail to Oakland" - Meeting Summary
4) Bella Vista Park Grand Opening & Park Dedication
5) Introducing Hai Binh Nguyen - New Staff Member In District 2
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UPCOMING DISTRICT 2 EVENTS
As you will see below, there are a lot of physical improvements planned for District 2 neighborhoods. Please attend one of these community meetings to help shape future projects.
1)
23rd Avenue Neighborhood Improvement Town Hall
Saturday, November 12, 10:00am - 12:00pm
(Garfield Elementary, 1649 22nd Ave.)
Join us to get an update on 23rd Ave. Working Group activities and view current design ideas and recommendations. You will have a chance to evaluate the design, contribute your own ideas, and discuss with other community members and City staff on the project. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact Theresa Navarro at (510) 238-6250 or tmnavarro@oaklandnet.com or Jerry Henderson: 510-251-2014 x304 or jhenderson@ebaldc.com.
The Townhall is sponsored by the Office of District 2 City Council Member Patricia Kernighan, the Office of the City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente, City of Oakland Redevelopment Department, East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation, East Bay Asian Youth Center, Eastside Arts Alliance, Lao Family Community Development, Making Connection Oakland, San Antonio Community Development Corporation and Urban Ecology.
LET'S MAKE 23RD AVENUE A SAFE AND
HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOOD FOR THE FUTURE!!
2) Rebuilding Our Communities:
A Vietnamese Bay Area Katrina Fundraiser
Sunday, November 13, 12:00pm - 3:00pm
(BANANAS, 5232 Claremont Ave.)
Join Oakland Vietnamese Americans for a festive afternoon of food, music and art to benefit the Vietnamese American communities affected by Hurricane Katrina. The event features:
- Personal Reports from Bay Area volunteers who were in the Gulf Coast
- Music Performances by Unity Nguyen and Linh Nguyen
- Photo/Video Slideshow of Vietnamese community in the Gulf Coast
- Art Sales
Tickets are $10-30 sliding scale. Please write your tax-deductible donation check to "Huong Viet." In the check memo please print, "Katrina Dinner Fundraiser." All proceeds above cost will go directly to the hurricane survivors, supporting the efforts of local community institutions in the Gulf Coast and supporting the volunteer contingents. For more information, please visit vietbayareakatrina.org or contact Trung Nguyen at vietbayareakatrina@yahoo.com or (408) 802.1374.
3) Homeless Resources Fair at the Lake
Tuesday, November, 15, 10:00am to 3:00pm
(Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center parking lot, 1010 10th St.)
The City of Oakland's Department of Human Services and Office of Parks and Recreation, the Alameda County's Department of Public Health and the Grandlake Homeless Task Force along with Councilmember Nancy Nadel and my office is sponsoring a resources fair for Oakland homeless people, many of whom spend their days and nights in the neighborhoods and parks of District 2.
This new Resources Fair will bring medical, behavioral, health and social services to homeless clients in the field where they are most needed, including medical screening and acute care, behavioral health assessments and referrals, harm reduction services (including hygiene kits, warm coats, clothing and socks), and access to such social services as case management, benefits advocacy, senior and veteran services, job programs, drug and alcohol programs, sign up for the Homeless Court, and legal services. Volunteers are needed to make the resources fair work. To volunteer, call the Volunteer Coordinator at 986.2721.
This event coincides with the opening of the temporary winter shelter at the Oakland Army Base, which opens the same day. Homeless clients will have the opportunity to sign up for the winter shelter and transportation will be provided directly to the Army Base.
An idea originally developed by community groups and Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils in the Lake Merritt area, this event marks the first time that City government has worked so closely and on such a large scale in the field with both County government and the non-profit social services community. A partial list of agencies collaborating on the Outreach Fair includes Alameda County Social Services Agency, Behavioral Health Care Services, Alameda County Medical Center, Lifelong Medical Clinic, Samuel Merritt Hospital, Options Recovery Program, East Bay Community Recovery Program, Operation Dignity, Howie Harp Center, St. Mary's Center, St. Vincent De Paul, and others.
4) East 18th Street Gateway Project (from the Lake
to Park Blvd.) Community Meeting - Wednesday, November
16, 4:00pm to 6:30pm (FM Smith Center, 1969 Park
Blvd.)
The City of Oakland and our District 2 office invite you to attend this public open house to learn about E. 18th Streetscape Improvements (from Lakeshore Ave. to Park Blvd.) and contribute your ideas to key project elements including:
- Athol Park Improvements,
- Pedestrian Access and Safety Improvements,
- Landscape and Streetscape Enhancements,
- Gateway Architectural Designs.
The project is based on community improvement priorities identified in the Lake Merritt Master Plan and is funded by Measure DD, The Oakland Trust for Clean Water and Safe Parks, & The Oakland Redevelopment Agency. For more information contact Wendy Simon at (510) 238-6430. For Special needs assistance, please call (510) 238-6430, or call TDD (510) 839-6451.
5)
Community Meeting on Telegraph Ave (Downtown) Streetscape Improvement
Projects
Thursday, November 17th, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
(First Baptist Church, 534 22nd St. at Telegraph)
The City's Redevelopment Agency is holding an informational meeting to provide an update on streetscape improvement projects currently underway in downtown Oakland.
6) Trees at Lake Merritt - Community Meeting on
Nov. 30.
Wednesday, November 30, 7:00pm to 9:00pm
(Lakeside Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Ave.)
Many
of you read an article in the Montclarion or Peggy Stinnett's
column saying that many trees along Lakeshore Avenue are slated for removal.
This caught all of use by surprise. I heard from many of you who strenuously
oppose the removal of any trees. I immediately wrote to the head of the
City's Tree Division and to City Administrator demanding that no trees
be cut in the next three months so that more review of this proposal can
take place.
Lakeside Park is in Nancy Nadel's district, so she shares our concern. Nancy and I have scheduled a community meeting on Nov. 30 so that City staff can answer the questions we all have. We have also asked for a "second opinion" from a neutral arborist regarding the trees that are said to be diseased or dangerous. We also plan to schedule a walking tour of the trees for the public with the City's arborist so people can see and discuss exactly what is proposed. Rest assured that there will be thorough public review before any final decisions are made regarding the trees.
Councilmember
Nancy Nadel and
Councilmember
Pat Kernighan invite you to a
Townhall Meeting on Lake Merritt Improvements:
Building a Greener and Safer Lake Area
In 2002, Oakland voters approved funding for many exciting improvements to Oakland's waterfront, especially Lake Merritt and the surrounding areas.
Next spring, construction will begin on the first of those improvements. Come to the meeting to find out what is planned, share your ideas, and learn about how the new park areas will improve your enjoyment of the lake.
Topics will include:
• Trees:
why some trees have to be removed, and the number and size of new trees
to be planted
• Plans for a restaurant at the Municipal Boathouse
• Expanding the park and reducing lanes along Lakeshore Avenue
•
12th Street: from mini-freeway to green space
• Opportunities for public input
• Construction schedule and impacts
Date: Wednesday, November 30th, 2005
Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Location: Lakeside Park Garden Center
666 Bellevue Avenue (Inside Lakeside Park), Oakland
OCTOBER 2005 REPORTS
1) Businesses and Organizations Urged to Adopt-A-School
Recently I introduced a City Council resolution urging Oakland businesses and organizations to support the city's public schools by adopting them. There are many forms that adopting a school can take. Some businesses provide work crews on a one-time basis for cleaning up and painting school buildings. Some organizations provide mentoring on an on-going basis, help with field trips, tutor in computer labs, and much more. If your business or organization is interested in adopting a school, you can call H.E.R.O.E.S. (Helpers Engaged in Reaching Oakland’s Excelling School) at 879.2908 to connect with a school in need of your help. You can also call Jennie Gerard in my office, 238-7023, to connect with a school in District 2.
On October 24th, I sponsored a successful community meeting at Barnett Hall to introduce a proposed mixed-use development at the present Kwik Way, Serenader Bar and Bank of America site on Lake Park Avenue. There was a lively discussion on the vision of the project with the developer and the architect sharing preliminary drawings of the project. Residents shared their ideas for the future use of the property and enthusiasm was high for a variety of quality retail outlets that would serve to bridge the already successful Lakeshore and Grand Ave business districts. In addition, the community was assured that the condo units to be built above the retail will be fewer in number than allowed by zoning regulations with a mix of one and two bedroom units at market rate pricing.
I was very encouraged by the participation and interest in the project by the residents. When the meeting ended, participants gave the project team a big round of applause for their clearly organized presentation and willingness to engage the community in the planning process.
As you may have read in the newspapers since the meeting, the project has run into a glitch over whether the Bank of American branch can be included in the project. Talks on the subject are continuing, and I will keep you informed on the project as it progresses. I personally believe the project would be a great improvement to the neighborhood, and I will work with all parties to find a solution that will allow the project to go forward.
3) "Attracting Retail to Oakland"
For copy of the presentation, click here or on the picture below.
" Why Can't We Spend Our Money in Oakland Instead Of Emeryville?"
was the theme of my Retail Town Hall Meeting on November 2nd. During
my campaign for office, I heard repeatedly that Oaklanders want to shop
locally. The subject clearly struck a nerve, because over 120 people
attended the meeting to hear from experts and express their opinions on
attracting more retail to Oakland.
The experts confirmed what we all know from experience, which is that Oakland is the most under-retailed city in California. Retail dollars spent in other cities by Oakland residents represent a leakage of sales estimated at over $1 billion annually. In addition, sales tax associated with these sales is about $10 million that could be going to support Oakland's services and is not currently coming to the City.
Christine
Firstenburg, Managing Director of Metrovation brokerage, and one of the
leading retail brokers in Northern California, presented "Retail
101", describing the different types of retail centers and how a
retailer evaluates a site as a possible location for one of their businesses.
There are many criteria, specific to each business, including demographics
within the "trade area", access to parking and transit,
cost, size and configuration of the site, proximity to other retail, safety
and appeal of surrounding neighborhood, and more.
We also heard from Chamber of Commerce staff and City Redevelopment Director Dan Vanderpriem about the sorts of retail businesses that are considering Oakland and possible locations for those businesses. The Chamber representatives stressed that the City must develop a vision and strategy for developing major retail destinations. The City will need to choose a few good locations for retailers and make sure that they are preserved for that use through zoning and other policy decisions.
It was clear that the subject of retail in Oakland had not been broached in a public discussion in years, because the audience was practically exploding with ideas and opinions. I wish all the potential retailers could have witnessed this meeting, because they would have seen firsthand the huge pent-up demand for shopping opportunities that exists in Oakland.
For those of you who missed the meeting, please read the summary below of the ideas and comments offered by participants. I will continue to champion this issue and will encourage my colleagues on the City Council to have the policy discussions necessary to develop a successful retail vision and strategy. I encourage you all to stay involved and will keep you informed of opportunities to advocate for your own visions.
Summary of Ideas Expressed at the Retail Town Hall
1. Residents who attended the Town Hall expressed a strong need for more retail development in Oakland, especially in clothing and household goods. Residents were frustrated that they had to drive outside of the city limits to buy everyday goods. At the same time that this is inconvenient and environmentally unsound, sales revenue leakage to other areas from Oakland is over $1 billion.
2. While Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill maybe attracting retail successfully and San Francisco's retail options may be glamorous, Oakland as a mid-sized city poses different challenges and opportunities that need to be explored more carefully. Oakland should look for models of successful retail in similar-sized cities throughout the country.
3. Oakland should balance between big box retail and neighborhood retail. While some residents expressed their reservations toward big box retails such as Costco or Target because of the high likelihood that these stores might drive out smaller businesses, many others emphasized and understood that while residents might not want to support big box developments in Oakland, they do shop at those retail types outside of Oakland, leading to high retail leakage to other cities. Big box retail might not be the most attractive option, but it is clear that there is a big market for it in Oakland. We need to find a creative way to bring some big box to Oakland while preserving the character and supporting the growth of local neighborhood retail.
4. Retail development plans should include accessibility options such as parking, public transit, bike safety, and pedestrian friendliness. Residents conveyed their frustration about lack of parking and lack of alternatives to driving in Oakland. We heard from some that free parking is essential to retail success, and from others that we need to stop driving everywhere and shift to car-free transportation.
5. We need to continue to support our neighborhood-serving retail such as on Lakeshore, Grand, College Ave., the Laurel, Chinatown, etc. But, in addition, if we want to create "destination" retail, we need to decide on a few locations to cluster the stores. Successful retail is clustered in nodes. We can't rely solely on mixed-use projects because the amount of retail in them doesn't have enough critical mass to sustain the stores.
6. There was a strong sentiment expressed by many attendees that downtown is the place to put major retail. The great old architecture in downtown offers real character and style, unlike the manufactured environments such as Bay Street in Emeryville. Within three years, we will see a huge increase in the amount of multi-unit residential housing downtown, and thus people living downtown. Many people suggested that Downtown would be a great place to go to if it is revitalized with more retail and entertainment. Retail development isn't just about the convenience of local shopping or increase in sales tax; in fact, town hall attendees noted that they would regularly come to a shopping area if it has a unique "sense of place". For example, most major cities have urban centers that accommodate office workers during the day and nightlife seekers and restaurant goers during the nighttime. Oakland Downtown has not fully been activated yet, even though efforts are currently under way under the "Meet Downtown Oakland" initiative. A revitalized urban center needs more than just restaurants and cafes; more stores would encourage foot traffic and truly create the feel of a bustling city. Therefore, town hall attendees recommended that the City focus on downtown retail as the first step toward making it the place to go in Oakland.
7. In order to make available the sites needed for destination retail, some difficult decisions will have to be made. We may need to zone specifically for retail, and the City may need to subsidize retail development in one way or another, whether by aggregating land or by building parking.
8. In order to make retail a reality in Oakland, policymakers and residents together need to commit to a strategic vision. With so many options available to Oakland (big box developments, neighborhood retail support , mixed use developments, lifestyle centers in Downtown) we need to identify the benefits and disadvantages of each one and come up with a balance that works for the City as a whole.
4) Bella Vista Park Grand Opening & Park Dedication
On October 29, the Bella Vista neighborhood witnessed the unveiling of the new Bella Vista park and play field. For seven years, the Trust for Public Land, the City of Oakland, the Oakland Unified School District, and Friends of Bella Vista Park collaborated on the $1.7 million project, most of which was raised by the Trust for Public Land. This project hit a lot of snags over the 7 years, but due to the commitment of all involved, solutions were found and the completed project is a huge success. When I was Chief of Staff to Councilmember Danny Wan, I helped to mediate disagreements between the City of Oakland and the Trust for Public Land over legal issues and who would manage the project. At one point, I feared that the Trust for Public Land was ready to leave Oakland because of their frustration with the City. Former Councilmember Danny Wan and I made sure that they did not.
Along the way to completing the project, the community faced a setback when an arsonist set fire to the tot lot structure on Christmas Eve of last year. I was pleased to commit $50,000 from my Pay-Go budget to ensure the completion of the project and the construction of a brand new play structure. A stark contrast to the previous playground area that solely consisted of black asphalt, the completed park features an expansive turf play field, two new play structures, a native plant and butterfly garden, basketball courts, picnic areas, and a community plaza.
On October 28, Bella Vista School hosted an all-day park grand opening for over eight hundred school children. The children displayed banners in honor of the park celebration and sang a "thank you" song to those who helped to build the structure. On October 29, the Trust for Public Land organized a park dedication to celebrate the opening of the park and honor all who helped with the planning and construction process. I am grateful to all who made this project possible, especially the Trust for Public Land and Friends of Bella Vista Park.
I invite you to visit the park located at 1025 E.28th Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues) if you have the chance!
5) Introducing Hai Binh Nguyen - New Staff Member in District 2
Hai Binh Nguyen joined our District 2 office in October 2005. Born in Viet Nam and raised in Chicago, she came to the Bay Area to attend Stanford University, where she was active in student grassroots organizing around issues of community center space, affirmative action, and justice for workers. Through her student political work, she eventually got to know many community organizations based in District 2 and is happy to be working with them now. Her focus in District 2 will be in Eastlake and San Antonio districts. Hai Binh speaks Vietnamese. She can be reached at (510) 238-6122 or hbnguyen@oaklandnet.com.