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Oakland Celebrates Signing of $105M Coliseum Sale for Revitalization of East Oakland

Last Thursday, AASEG also finalized the deal to purchase the other 50% of the Coliseum owned by the Oakland A’s for $125 million, meaning that the entire 155-acre property is now owned by the African American business group, likely the largest transfer of property to African Americans in Oakland history.

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Mayor Sheng Thao, Councilmembers Nikki Bas and At-Large Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan celebrated the signing and the receipt of the first round of payments from some of the members of the African American Sports and Entertainment Group to purchase the Oakland/Alameda County Coliseum Complex. Left to right: Jonathan Jones, Alan Dones, C.J.Johnson, John Jones III, Nikki Bas, Ray Bobbitt, Ryan Richardson, Mayor Sheng Thao, Emily Weinreb, Rebecca Kaplan, Shonda Scott, Samantha Wise,Gay Plair Cobb and Paul Cobb. Photo by Kevin Hicks.
Mayor Sheng Thao, Councilmembers Nikki Bas and At-Large Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan celebrated the signing and the receipt of the first round of payments from some of the members of the African American Sports and Entertainment Group to purchase the Oakland/Alameda County Coliseum Complex. Left to right: Jonathan Jones, Alan Dones, C.J.Johnson, John Jones III, Nikki Bas, Ray Bobbitt, Ryan Richardson, Mayor Sheng Thao, Emily Weinreb, Rebecca Kaplan, Shonda Scott, Samantha Wise,Gay Plair Cobb and Paul Cobb. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

By Ken Epstein

The City of Oakland this week finalized the $105 million sale of the city’s 50% share of the Oakland Coliseum to the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG), based on a long-term plan and vision for social and economic revitalization of East Oakland that will include jobs, new businesses, and affordable housing.

Last Thursday, AASEG also finalized the deal to purchase the other 50% of the Coliseum owned by the Oakland A’s for $125 million, meaning that the entire 155-acre property is now owned by the African American business group, likely the largest transfer of property to African Americans in Oakland history.

According to a terms sheet, AASEG is paying the city $15 million in September, $15 million in November, $33 million in January 2025, and $42 million by June 20, 2026. The development is financed by Loop Capital, a Chicago-based investment firm.

Hosting the press conference at the Coliseum on Tuesday, co-founder of the AASEG team, Ray Bobbitt, a longtime Oakland businessman, introduced Mayor Sheng Thao, who he said “drove” this project for the city, along with Councilmember-at-large Rebecca Kaplan.

“This is history in the making,” said Mayor Thao, emphasizing the team effort between private investors, city officials, staff, and community that is moving the city forward.

This project is not a short-term financial fix for Oakland but a long-term strategic development that will pay off for the city and its residents for decades, she said.

“This will be a $105 million sale that will lead to a multi-billion-dollar investment in Oakland, specifically deep East Oakland,” Thao said.

“This isn’t a temporary band-aid for the budget as some naysayers may say,” she continued. “Yes, it helps keep fire stations open, it helps keep our (police) officers, and the (police) academies going. But (more fundamentally), this is a work in process for Oakland’s future.”

The mayor said she was honored to work with the African American business leaders in AASEG and with the African American entrepreneurs in Loop Capital.

“Many thought institutional capital was fleeing Oakland, but that is not the case.,” she said. “We were able to be innovative and think outside the box. (We) know what the Coliseum is; this is the place to be in the Bay Area.”

A number of observers say political opponents of the mayor and much of city’s leadership are “doom seekers,” continually emphasizing that Oakland is a terrible place to live where nothing good happens, as they seek to justify their attempt to restore power to representativesof  the city’s traditional elite.

In her remarks, Kaplan outlined a vision of the redeveloped Coliseum site as a major economic hub for not just East Oakland but the Bay Area, noting that it sits near a BART station, freeway, rail line, and airport.

Ultimately, the AASEG project will be a $5 billion construction venture with housing, entertainment, live sports, hotels, and businesses.

“There is no site better prepared for development than this,” Kaplan said.

AASEG has agreed to create a community benefits plan before the end of the decade with labor agreements, workforce training, and pledges to residents around the Coliseum  that they will not be displaced by development.

AASEG has also agreed to ensure 25% of any housing developed at the site is affordable.

Bobbitt, who, as a child watched games at the Coliseum from his grandmother’s roof, said the project will serve the entire population of Oakland and the region and especially communities in East Oakland, where African Americans face the highest rates of poverty, unemployment, and homelessness, and as victims of crime, he said.

He said he especially wanted to recognize Paul and Gay Cobb, owners of the Oakland Post newspaper and elders in the community, who inspired him to have a large vision for the Coliseum that would lead to the development of East Oakland, the entire city, and the region.

“We want to acknowledge them and thank them for everything they do for our community. They safeguard us, they protect us, they push us, they urge us, I want you to understand what this newspaper means for our community,” Bobbitt said.

In a statement, Bobbitt said, “The AASEG sees this new stewardship (of the Coliseum) as a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the revitalization of Oakland and a profound responsibility to improve the lives of the community members of East Oakland.”

“Thank you to the city, our partners, Mayor Sheng Thao, Rebecca Kaplan, Nikki Bas, and everyone else who contributed to this,” he said.

Council President Bas said, “There are so many positive things to love about our town, and this is an opportunity, to set aside any differences we have and to work together and make this city as great as it can be.”

Entrepreneur Alan Dones, who is part of AASEG, said, “Our team agrees that our main objective here is to serve our community, to make sure this project stands out as a beacon for what can be done when you prioritize community, good jobs, and business opportunities.”

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Bay Area

Glydways Breaking Ground on 14-Acre Demonstration Facility at Hilltop Mall

Glydways has been testing its technology at CCTA’s GoMentum Station in Concord for several years. The company plans to install an ambitious 28-mile Autonomous Transit Network in East Contra Costa County. The new Richmond facility will be strategically positioned near that project, according to Glydways.

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Image of planned Richmond facility courtesy of Glydways.
Image of planned Richmond facility courtesy of Glydways.

The Richmond Standard

Glydways, developer of microtransit systems using autonomous, small-scale vehicles, is breaking ground on a 14-acre Development and Demonstration Facility at the former Hilltop Mall property in Richmond, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) reported on social media.

Glydways, which released a statement announcing the project Monday, is using the site while the mall property undergoes a larger redevelopment.

“In the interim, Glydways will use a portion of the property to showcase its technology and conduct safety and reliability testing,” the company said.

Glydways has been testing its technology at CCTA’s GoMentum Station in Concord for several years. The company plans to install an ambitious 28-mile Autonomous Transit Network in East Contra Costa County. The new Richmond facility will be strategically positioned near that project, according to Glydways.

The new Richmond development hub will include “over a mile of dedicated test track, enabling Glydways to refine its solutions in a controlled environment while simulating real-world conditions,” the company said.

Visitors to the facility will be able to experience on-demand travel, explore the control center and visit a showroom featuring virtual reality demonstrations of Glydways projects worldwide.

The hub will also house a 13,000-square-foot maintenance and storage facility to service the growing fleet of Glydcars.

“With this new facility [at the former Hilltop Mall property], we’re giving the public a glimpse of the future, where people can experience ultra-quiet, on-demand transit—just like hailing a rideshare, but with the reliability and affordability of public transit,” said Tim Haile, executive director of CCTA.

Janet Galvez, vice president and investment officer at Prologis, owner of the Hilltop Mall property, said her company is “thrilled” to provide space for Glydways and is continuing to work with the city on future redevelopment plans for the broader mall property.

Richmond City Manager Shasa Curl added that Glydways’ presence “will not only help test new transit solutions but also activate the former Mall site while preparation and finalization of the Hilltop Horizon Specific Plan is underway.

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Alameda County

Last City Council Meeting of the Year Ends on Sour Note with Big Budget Cuts

In a five to one vote, with Councilmembers Carroll Fife and Janani Ramachandran excused, the council passed a plan aimed at balancing the $130 million deficit the city is facing. Noel Gallo voted against the plan, previously citing concerns over public safety cuts, while Nikki Fortunato-Bas, Treva Reid, Rebecca Kaplan, Kevin Jenkins, and Dan Kalb voted in agreement with the plan.

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Oakland City Council voted on a plan to balance the $130 million deficit at their last regular meeting of 2024. The plan reduces police spending by $25 million, temporarily closes two fire stations, and guts the cultural arts programs. iStock photo.
Oakland City Council voted on a plan to balance the $130 million deficit at their last regular meeting of 2024. The plan reduces police spending by $25 million, temporarily closes two fire stations, and guts the cultural arts programs. iStock photo.

By Magaly Muñoz

In the last lengthy Tuesday meeting of the Oakland City Council for 2024, residents expressed strong opposition to the much needed budget cuts before a change in leadership was finalized with the certification of election results.

In a five to one vote, with Councilmembers Carroll Fife and Janani Ramachandran excused, the council passed a plan aimed at balancing the $130 million deficit the city is facing. Noel Gallo voted against the plan, previously citing concerns over public safety cuts, while Nikki Fortunato-Bas, Treva Reid, Rebecca Kaplan, Kevin Jenkins, and Dan Kalb voted in agreement with the plan.

Oakland police and fire departments, the ambassador program, and city arts and culture will all see significant cuts over the course of two phases.

Phase 1 will eliminate two police academies, brown out two fire stations, eliminate the ambassador program, and reduce police overtime by nearly $25 million. These, with several other cuts across departments, aim to save the city $60 million. In addition, the council simultaneously approved to transfer restricted funds into its general purpose fund, amounting to over $40 million.

Phase 2 includes additional fire station brownouts and the elimination of 91 jobs, aiming to recover almost $16 million in order to balance the rest of the budget.

Several organizations and residents spoke out at the meeting in hopes of swaying the council to not make cuts to their programs.

East Oakland Senior Center volunteers and members, and homeless advocates, filled the plaza just outside of City Hall with rallies to show their disapproval of the new budget plan. Senior residents told the council to “remember that you’ll get old too” and that disturbing their resources will only bring problems for an already struggling community.

While city staff announced that there would not be complete cuts to senior center facilities, there would be significant reductions to staff and possibly inter-program services down the line.

Exiting council member and interim mayor Bas told the public that she is still hopeful that the one-time $125 million Coliseum sale deal will proceed in the near future so that the city would not have to continue with drastic cuts. The deal was intended to save the city for fiscal year 2024-25, but a hold up at the county level has paused any progress and therefore millions of dollars in funds Oakland desperately needs.

The Coliseum sale has been a contentious one. Residents and city leaders were originally against using the deal as a way to balance the budget, citing doubts about the sellers, the African American Sports and Entertainment Group’s (AASEG), ability to complete the deal. Council members Reid, Ramachandran, and Gallo have called several emergency meetings to understand where the first installments of the sale are, with little to no answers.

Bas added that as the new Alameda County Supervisor for D5, a position she starts in a few weeks, she will do everything in her power to push the Coliseum sale along.

The city is also considering a sales tax measure to put on the special election ballot on April 15, 2025, which will also serve as an election to fill the now vacant D2 and mayor positions. The tax increase would raise approximately $29 million annually for Oakland, allowing the city to gain much-needed revenue for the next two-year budget.

The council will discuss the possible sales tax measure on January 9.

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Activism

Living His Legacy: The Late Oscar Wright’s “Village” Vows to Inherit Activist’s Commitment to Education

Kingmakers of Oakland (KOO), a nonprofit organization that works to improve educational and life outcomes for Black boys and men, stated that “Oscar Wright is one of the most prolific, consistent, and committed advocates of equity for Black students and Black Families here in Oakland for the past six decades.” 

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Oscar Carl Wright, 101, who passed away on Nov. 18, was still involved in Oakland’s educational affairs until his death.
Oscar Carl Wright, 101, who passed away on Nov. 18, was still involved in Oakland’s educational affairs until his death.

By Antonio‌ ‌Ray‌ ‌Harvey‌, California‌ ‌Black‌ ‌Media‌

Activists mourning Oscar Carl Wright’s death, have pledged to continue his lifelong mission of advocating for Black students and families in Northern California.

Wright, 101, who passed away on Nov. 18, was involved in Oakland’s educational affairs until his death.

Now, friends and admirers acknowledge that carrying on his legacy means doubling down on the unfinished work that Wright dedicated his life, time, and resources to, according to Y’Anad Burrell, a family friend and founder of San Francisco-based Glass House Communications (GHC).

“Mr. Wright did a lot of work around equity, specifically, for Black students based on their needs — whether it was tutoring, passing classes, or graduating,” Burrell said.

Wright became a champion for his children’s education, recognizing the disparities between their school experiences and his own upbringing in the Mississippi Delta.

Burrell told California Black Media (CBM) that the crisis of unequal access to resources and a quality education continues to affect the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD).

According to Oakland Reach, in the city of Oakland, only 3 in 10 Black and Brown students are reading at or above grade level. In addition, only 1 in 10 are doing math at or above grade level.

Oakland REACH is a parent-run, parent-led organization. It aims to empowers families from the most underserved communities to demand high-quality schools for their children.

Wright’s work as an activist had impact across the state but he was primarily known in the Bay Area. Alongside the Black United Front for Educational Reform (BUFER), he filed a complaint against OUSD for violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

In 2000, the OUSD school board proposed an action plan to address educational inequity, but it was never implemented.

Wright later founded the African American Honor Roll Celebration at Acts Full Gospel Church, an award that recognizes Black students with a grade point average of 3.0 or better.  Each year, more than 1,000 students are honored at this ceremony.

Kingmakers of Oakland (KOO), a nonprofit organization that works to improve educational and life outcomes for Black boys and men, stated that “Oscar Wright is one of the most prolific, consistent, and committed advocates of equity for Black students and Black Families here in Oakland for the past six decades.”

Burrell said that one of the main reasons Wright’s work was so essential for families and children in Oakland that is the direct relationship between acquiring a quality education and affording quality housing, maintaining food security, achieving mental wellness, and securing stable employment.

Wright was the child of sharecroppers from Coahoma County, Mississippi. He attended Alcorn State University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).

In the late 1950s, Wright and his family relocated to the Bay Area where he worked as a contractor and civil engineer. He later became an active member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Burrell said the people who will carry on Wright’s work are part of a “village” that includes KOO’s CEO Chris Chatmon.  Wright was a mentor to Chatmon.

“It will not be one entity, one person, or one organization that picks up the baton because it was a village effort that worked alongside Mr. Wright for all these years,” Burrell said.

Burell says that legacy will live on.

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