City Government

Port Moves to Evict Business That Keeps Big Trucks Off West Oakland Streets

Published

8 years ago

July 29, 2016

Oakland Port Services, a locally owned small business that provides unique services for independent truck drivers at the Port of Oakland, has received an eviction notice after negotiations for relocation on port land fell through.

The business is the only company at the Port of Oakland that provides a 24-hour mini-mart, truck scales as well as restroom, shower and laundry facilities for truckers and longshoremen who often have to work late or at odd hours.

According to Oakland Port Services’ CEO Bill Aboudi, the company’s services prevent truck traffic from getting congested at the port and keep the big trucks from having to venture into the West Oakland community, both of which would drastically increase pollution for adjacent neighborhoods.

Community members are determined to defend the business, which they see as an important resource in their efforts to combat air pollution and traffic congestion in West Oakland.

“The provision of not only parking, but truck scales, food service and vehicle maintenance supplies…keeps scores of trucks out of the neighborhood every day,” wrote Brian Beveridge, co-director of the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project, in an email to the port.

“That is scores of respiratory health impacts and potential incidents between private automobiles and pedestrians that are avoided by assuring truckers have the goods and services they need, where they need them,” Beveridge said.

At present, Aboudi’s business is a month-to-month tenant of the Port of Oakland and was asked to vacate the property by the end of June, along with over a dozen other small businesses, to make way for the development of a seaport logistics complex.

He and several other businesses were offered the possibility of relocating on port property.

Because the projected cost of moving the company’s facilities and two truck scales will be around $300,000, Aboudi had asked if his tenancy could be extended to a location that allowed for a longer term, rather than continuing on an uncertain month-to-month agreement.

Aboudi and the Port of Oakland entered into negotiations for relocation. But after he had made his request for a longerterm tenancy known, the port closed negotiations, making it seem as though he had rejected the port’s only offer, Aboudi said.

According to Mike Zampa, communications director at the Port of Oakland, the port had found a site for Oakland Port Services but Aboudi had rejected the only possible offer, a month-to-month lease.

“We need the flexibility of short term leases so that when the time is right we can execute future planned developments,” Zampa told the Post.

“The Port of Oakland worked with the tenant with relocation and we identified a potential site, but it was not taken,” he said.

The Post has received copies of email correspondence between the Port of Oakland and Aboudi that shows on June 16 of this year, he sent an email to the port saying that the offered location option “on a month-to-month basis is not an option” because it incurs $300,000 move costs that “we are not able to recover with a short term lease.”

However, negotiations for another possible site continued for nearly a month until the port abruptly terminated the offer and decided to evict the business.

“Oakland Port Services now appears to have renewed interest in the…location. However, at this juncture, the Port will not entertain any further discussions with the (company) regarding its moving to another port location,” wrote John Driscoll, director of Maritime at the Port of Oakland, in an email dated July 13.

Regardless of what was said by the two sides in the dispute, community members want the port to work out a deal with Oakland Port Services because the company “provides a critical service to the local trucking community and continues to provide value to the West Oakland community in the form of reduced impacts from port related trucking,” according to West Oakland environmentalist Beveridge in his email to the port.

In addition, according to Aboudi and Beveridge, the port’s development plans for the current location have not yet entered the design phase and more time could be given before evicting the company, allowing the company to find a suitable location for the minimart, facilities and truck scales.

“They’ve got us (small businesses) on month-to-month leases because of their development plans. But where are small businesses planned into their long term plans?” asked Aboudi.

“They say they value what we do and use us as much as possible when they need to, but we’re never really incorporated into their longer term next steps,” he said.

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Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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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

4 days 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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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

5 days 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.”