Community

Developer Plans to Relieve Traffic Congestion at Oak Knoll Project and Areas Near the Oakland Zoo

Published

8 years ago

July 28, 2017

At the June 21 public planning hearing of the proposed Oak Knoll re-development project, residents offered recommendations to the developer SunCAL. The 167-acre site, which formerly housed the Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, was acquired by SunCAL in 1996 and recast as a positive part of Oakland’s future. But residents have long complained about traffic during peak commute times and around the Oakland Zoo, East of Highway 580 and 98th Avenue.

After hearing many residents worry that adding more residents to the area could make traffic worse, the city required SunCal to contract with the city’s independent transportation consultant for the project, Fehr & Peers, to conduct the traffic analysis for the Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

Working with the city, Fehr & Peers conducted detailed traffic analyses in and around the proposed development. Engineers evaluated 44 intersections and identified eight that would be significantly impacted by the project—along with improvement strategies that would mitigate current and future traffic issues.

According to Francisco Martin, an associate with Fehr & Peers, “Installing and coordinating new traffic signals at these intersections would improve conditions—as would altering the traffic lanes.”

The city and Fehr & Peers recommended expanded bus schedules and greater connectivity with BART to help ease the congestion. But some residents remain concerned and have questioned why the analysis did not include details on weekend traffic.

Martin said there is a simple explanation: “By evaluating the worst-case scenario, in this case weekday rush-hour traffic, we are able to account for the full extent of potential impacts—it’s an industry standard.”

He said the, “proposed mitigation measures to help with weekday traffic would also have benefits for weekend visitors to areas such as the Oakland Zoo.”

The mitigation plan will require SunCal to address these improvements at its own cost. At the June 21st meeting, however, at least one public comment suggested that many of the improvements called for by study would only make traffic worse. Martin refuted the concerns about traffic worsening by saying traffic conditions would improve.

“This analysis was all done under the guidance of the city, strictly following the city’s transportation and traffic study guidelines –along with industry standards,” he said.

SunCal plans to install the mitigation measures, including signals at intersections, in the first phase of the project so that surrounding neighborhoods and the community will see improvements before the project is built out. Despite these mitigation plans, some are still raising questions.

Martin responded, “It is important for anybody, whether it be a proponent or opponent of the project, to read thoroughly the analysis and documentation that has been done as part of this Supplemental EIR process to better understand project impacts and the proposed improvements that address these impacts.”

Martin also points out that this plan was developed based on considerable community and neighborhood input, years of public meetings and significant participation from city planners, engineers, the neighborhood and the community at large.

He said the study has been reviewed by city staff and peer reviewed by another independent traffic consultant so the public should have confidence in final plans and proposals.

“When we started this project several years ago, SunCal had a clear plan to reach out to as much of the community as possible,” Martin said. “I, along with city staff, participated in those meetings where we took community concerns and addressed those concerns in our analysis.”

While the June 21 meeting heard from some opponents who have long been against redeveloping the Oak Knoll site, over 100 Oak Knoll neighbors and members of the community also voiced their support and offered constructive comments.

“The developer must continue to work with the city, AC Transit, Caltrans, and the public for this to be a success,” said Martin.

According to SunCal, which has committed to community engagement and traffic mitigation, along with expanded public transportation, traffic congestion around Oak Knoll can be reduced. But none of these improvements can happen until Oak Knoll is given final approval by the city.

So, for now, residents must all wait in traffic.

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Oakland Post: Week of December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Published

1 week ago

January 2, 2026

Oakland Post

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Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

2 weeks ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.

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First 5 Alameda County Distributes Over $8 Million in First Wave of Critical Relief Funds for Historically Underpaid Caregivers

“Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers are lifelines for so many children and families in Alameda County,” said Kristin Spanos, CEO, First 5 Alameda County. “Yet, they often go unrecognized and undercompensated for their labor and ability to give individualized, culturally connected care. At First 5, we support the conditions that allow families to thrive, and getting this money into the hands of these caregivers and families at a time of heightened financial stress for parents is part of that commitment.”

Published

2 weeks ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Costco. Courtesy image.

Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Can Now Opt Into $4,000 Grants to Help Bolster Economic Stability and Strengthen Early Learning Experiences

By Post Staff

Today, First 5 Alameda County announced the distribution of $4,000 relief grants to more than 2,000 Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, totaling over $8 million in the first round of funding. Over the full course of the funding initiative, First 5 Alameda County anticipates supporting over 3,000 FFN caregivers, who collectively care for an estimated 5,200 children across Alameda County. These grants are only a portion of the estimated $190 million being invested into expanding our early childcare system through direct caregiver relief to upcoming facilities, shelter, and long-term sustainability investments for providers fromMeasure C in its first year. This investment builds on the early rollout of Measure C and reflects a comprehensive, system-wide strategy to strengthen Alameda County’s early childhood ecosystem so families can rely on sustainable, accessible care,

These important caregivers provide child care in Alameda County to their relatives, friends, and neighbors. While public benefits continue to decrease for families, and inflation and the cost of living continue to rise, these grants provide direct economic support for FFN caregivers, whose wages have historically been very low or nonexistent, and very few of whom receive benefits. As families continue to face growing financial pressures, especially during the winter and holiday season, these grants will help these caregivers with living expenses such as rent, utilities, supplies, and food.

The funding for these relief grants comes from Measure C, a local voter-approved sales tax in Alameda County that invests in young children, their families, communities, providers, and caregivers. Within the first year of First 5’s 5-Year Plan for Measure C, in addition to the relief grants to informal FFN caregivers, other significant investments will benefit licensed child care providers. These investments include over $40 million in Early Care and Education (ECE) Emergency Grants, which have already flowed to nearly 800 center-based and family child care providers. As part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, preparations are also underway to distribute facilities grants early next year for child care providers who need to make urgent repairs or improvements, and to launch the Emergency Revolving Fund in Spring 2026 to support licensed child care providers in Alameda County who are at risk of closure.

The FFN Relief Grants recognize and support the essential work that an estimated 3,000 FFN caregivers provide to 5,200 children in Alameda County. There is still an opportunity to receive funds for FFN caregivers who have not yet received them.

In partnership with First 5 Alameda County, Child Care Payment Agencies play a critical role in identifying eligible caregivers and leading coordinated outreach efforts to ensure FFN caregivers are informed of and able to access these relief funds.FFN caregivers are eligible for the grant if they receive a child care payment from an Alameda County Child Care Payment Agency, 4Cs of Alameda County, BANANAS, Hively, and Davis Street, and are currently caring for a child 12 years old or younger in Alameda County. Additionally, FFN caregivers who provided care for a child 12 years or younger at any time since April 1, 2025, but are no longer doing so, are also eligible for the funds. Eligible caregivers are being contacted by their Child Care Payment Agency on a rolling basis, beginning with those who provided care between April and July 2025.

“This money is coming to me at a critical time of heightened economic strain,” said Jill Morton, a caregiver in Oakland, California. “Since I am a non-licensed childcare provider, I didn’t think I was eligible for this financial support. I was relieved that this money can help pay my rent, purchase learning materials for the children as well as enhance childcare, buy groceries and take care of grandchildren.”

Eligible FFN caregivers who provided care at any time between April 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025, who haven’t yet opted into the process, are encouraged to check their mail and email for an eligibility letter. Those who have cared for a child after this period should expect to receive communications from their child care payment agency in the coming months. FFN caregivers with questions may also contact the agency they work with to receive child care payments, or the First 5 Alameda help desk, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, at 510-227-6964. The help desk will be closed 12/25/25 – 1/1/26. Additional grant payments will be made on a rolling basis as opt-ins are received by the four child care payment agencies in Alameda County.

Beginning in the second year of Measure C implementation, FFN caregivers who care for a child from birth to age five and receive an Alameda County subsidized voucher will get an additional $500 per month. This amounts to an annual increase of about $6,000 per child receiving a subsidy. Together with more Measure C funding expected to flow back into the community as part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, investments will continue to become available in the coming year for addressing the needs of childcare providers in Alameda County.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County builds the local childhood systems and supports needed to ensure our county’s youngest children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life.

Our Mission

In partnership with the community, we support a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves the lives of children from birth to age five and their families.

Our Vision

Every child in Alameda County will have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential.

Learn more at www.first5alameda.org.