City Government

OP-ED: New Oakland Business Ventures Mean New Opportunities

Published

10 years ago

July 16, 2014

Some new and diverse businesses are coming to Oakland to create jobs and strengthen our economy. First up Sears sold the former Capwell building at 20^th & Broadway to Lane partners, a Menlo Park real estate development company for $25 million.

The 85-year-old building will close by the end of the summer and will reopen with offices and retail to attract high-tech tenants.

This is a great transformation for a department store that has struggled since the 1989 earthquake. Even though it means losing the last major retail in downtown, a higher and better use of the building is for office, retail and to attract new businesses.

Historic Sears Building in Downtown Oakland

Gov. Jerry Brown abolished redevelopment agencies in California. The state law required all cities to liquidate their real estate holdings as they close their agencies.

The state gave the city permission to sell many real estate holdings. Some of the first will be right in the downtown area with the parking garage at 21st and Telegraph, the undeveloped park across from the Fox in the uptown apartments, and the parking lot at 20th and Telegraph.

Look for spirited bidding for these prime properties, transforming from underused city properties to businesses and jobs in the uptown area.

The world-famous San Francisco Fairmont hotel chain purchased the Claremont Hotel. The Fairmont parent, FRHI Hotels, based in Toronto, specializes in worldwide hotels. The primary investor is a Saudi Arabian prince and the country of QATAR. The other 50 percent owner is SF mega-investor and husband of Sen. Feinstein Richard Blum.

The Claremont sold for $155 million and includes the 279-room hotel, 22 acres of Oakland/Berkeley hills, a 1,500-member tennis club, along with a spa. The price of $550,000 per room is a premium sale for hotels in this area.

Many speculate the owners will develop some of the 22 acres on the property for housing/resort uses. This will mean more jobs, increase property taxes, property and sales taxes more visitors through the Oakland airport and literally the revitalization of an economic engine for Oakland.

Councilwoman Lynette McElhaney is on a mission to recruit more tech companies to Oakland. She is attempting to lure startups from the Silicon Valley and San Francisco to relocate and prosper in Oakland.

She points out Oakland can offer lower commercial rents, more available housing, more open spaces, public transportation, and a ready, willing and able workforce with and great diversity and neighborhoods.

With the councilwoman pushing the city to become more aggressive in recruiting new businesses, the benefits become quickly apparent with new jobs, residents, higher property values, taxes, all for better service.

Meanwhile, in Jack London Square, Ellis Partners proposed to build two new residential buildings, consisting of 17 stories at the base of Broadway and Embarcadero on the surface parking lot across from the old Barnes & Noble building and 26 stories at the corner of Harrison and Alice, for a combined total of 665 units.

Each building will also have ground-floor retail to add to the neighborhood amenities in Jack London Square.

Ellis partners have been entitled to develop Jack London Square since 2008. Their initial ideas of creating a retail farmers produce market and other ideas have fallen by the wayside.

They have now want to build housing and increase the density in Jack London Square.

Finally, the owners of Bocanova, the wildly successful South American Jack London Square hotspot, is opening a new venture called Jack’s Oyster Bar and Fish House located at 336 Water St.,

Team Bocanova bought to life the southern end of Jack London Square, they will do the same at the northern end.

More jobs, economic activity, and resident vibrancy will bring JL Square alive, create more revenues and make it a destination area that all Oakland citizens can enjoy.

Clinton Killian

Clinton Killian is an attorney at downtown Oakland law firm Fried & Williams LLP and is former public official. He can be reached at ckillian@postnewsgroup.com.

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Activism

City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library

“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”

Published

8 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Left to Right- Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator, Nikki Bas, President Oakland City Council, Shen Thao, Mayor of Oakland, Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember District 3, Harold Duffey, Assistant City Administrator, Sean Maher, Projects Coordinator. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades

Special to the Post

The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.

Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.

“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”

“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”

“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”

“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”

The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.

The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.

The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Oakland Public Library

The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org

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Activism

BWOPA Honors Black Leadership and Legacy at 2024 Ella Hill Hutch Awards Dinner

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills. At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

Published

10 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

L-R: BWOPA State Executive Director LaNiece Jones; State Asm. Mia Bonta; BWOPA 2024 Man of The Year/Urban League SFBA CEO Ken Maxey; BWOPA State President Hon. Dezie Woods-Jones; State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas; Rowena Brown, Oakland Councilmember At-Large, Elect; BWOPA State Regional Director Vashone Huff. Courtesy photo.

By Oakland Post Staff

Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) is a statewide non-profit advocacy and membership organization committed to solving problems affecting Black Californians.

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills.

At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

The evening was hosted by Dr. Shawna Charles, founder of The Charles Communications Group (CCG) headquartered in Los Angeles. Charles served as mistress of ceremonies.

With a track record of elevating voices and empowering communities, Charles’ leadership and insight brought a certain dynamism to the celebration.

“Each year, this event not only celebrates the enduring legacy of our beloved BWOPA founding member, Ella Hill Hutch, but also reaffirms and amplifies our unwavering commitment to building and sustaining Black political power across California,” said Dezie Woods-Jones, BWOPA founding member and State president.

“Ella Hill Hutch’s trailblazing leadership continues to inspire us as we forge ahead, empowering Black women to lead, advocate, and shape a more equitable future for all,” added Woods-Jones.

This year’s event introduced the DWJ Rising Star Award, honoring young leaders like Solano County Board Supervisors-elect Cassandra James, Danielle Motley-Lewis, Naomi Waters and newly elected State Assemblymember elect Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton).

According to organizers, the awardees all exemplify “the next generation of changemakers.”

Other awardees included:

Lifetime Achievement Awardees: Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) and Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson
Man of the Year: Kenneth Maxey, CEO of the Greater SF Bay Area Urban League
President’s Corporate Award: Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente
In the Spirit of Ella State and Chapter Awards: Dr. Carolyn Greene, Dr. Marcella K. Smith, Dr. Carolyn Drake, Tinisch Hollins, Jackie Jones, Gloria Burgess Johnson, Tamika L’Ecluse, Ellen Nash, Betty Reid Soskin, and Ay’Anna Moody.

BWOPA also celebrated local champions across its chapters, including leaders in voter education, healthcare, criminal justice reform, and community advocacy.

In a statement, BWOPA said, “Honoring Ella Hill Hutch’s legacy, BWOPA recognizes her pioneering efforts as the first Black woman elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Her tireless work amplifying underrepresented voices continues to inspire BWOPA’s mission to build Black political power across California.”

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our members, partners and allies who believe in BWOPA’s vision to invest in building power for Black women’s leadership,” said LaNiece Jones, BWOPA State executive director. “Your support ensures that Black women have a voice at decision-making tables locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally, advancing diversity and equity in leadership spaces.”