On June 25th the California Strategic Growth Council voted to fund Oakland’s “Better Neighborhoods, Same Neighborhoods” proposal a grant of $28.2 million. 

“Led by the community for the community, the . . . proposal envisions an East Oakland with healthy surroundings, safe and accessible transportation and thriving arts and culture that builds community wealth and ensures housing is a human right for existing East Oakland residents,” said Mayor Libby Schaaf.

“Thanks to the ambitious vision and leadership of East Oakland stakeholders and the generous support of the Strategic Growth Council, these projects provide an opportunity to harness the leadership and civic power that we’ve particularly seen displayed in the past few weeks, lift up those voices that have been stifled by historic and structural racism and enact lasting transformation. . .”

The community organizations will be directly funded. There are five projects in the “Better Neighborhoods, Same Neighbors” proposal:

1. 95th and International Housing, Health and Connectivity

This project is led by the Related Companies of California and Acts Community Development Corporation and will yield 55 units of affordable housing with 25% earmarked for the homeless and includes a community health clinic on-site.

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2. San Leandro Creek Urban Greenway

A 1.2 mile trail connecting to the regional Martin Luther King, Jr. Shoreline Park.

3.  Community Greening

Two thousand trees planted, some sourced from the Planting Justice nursery.  Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation will partner with community organizations to provide training and paid internships for the tree planting.

4.  Planting Justice Aquaponics Farm and Food Hub

Three-acre nursery will have the “largest/most productive urban aquaponics farm in the U.S.” as well as 27 living-wage jobs, a food hub, and have youth education, health/wellness, community development, and business incubation programming.

5. Higher Ground & Scraper Bike Team Bike Share and Youth Development

Bike safety and repair, and afterschool enrichment classes to youth.  The Oakland Public Library and Oakland Public Works partner on “The Shed” at Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch Library.

The proposal builds on the work of East Oakland Neighborhood Initiative (EONI) which focuses on six neighborhoods:  Melrose, Highland/Elmhurst, Sobrante Park, Brookfield Village/Columbia Gardens, Stonehurst, Coliseum/Rusdale/Lockwood/Havenscourt.

“Today, residents bring a wide range of backgrounds, skill sets and values creating a community poised and ready to restore [East Oakland] back to a place of peace and beauty.  We have awakened, working together in an organized way ensuring revitalization for a healthier, safer, greener place to proudly call COMMUNITY!” said Resident Cynthia Arrington.

‘District 6 Matters’ from the Office of Councilmember Loren Taylor

Oakland 2020-2021 mid-cycle budget amendments were passed in partnership with the Council’s Equity Caucus which includes Councilmember Loren Taylor, Lynette Gibson-McElhaney, Larry Reid and Noel Gallo.

The budget amendments will deliver:

1. Improved educational outcomes

$7.7 million to build a public Wi-Fi network to bridge the digital divide and give Oakland youth access to the internet.

2. Wildfire prevention funding

3. Increased economic opportunities

$6 million to support small businesses in Oakland

$2 million for low-income areas in the flatlands of Dist. 6

$1 million for technical assistance for small businesses through organizations like the “Multicultural Chambers of Commerce” and the “East Oakland Entrepreneurship Forum”. 

4. Greater Income security

$1 million for workforce development programs to 100 Oaklanders for new careers.

5.  Evictions and Displacement prevention

$7 million for residential rent and mortgage relief to avoid displacement during COVID-19

6.  Beautification and blight reduction

$500,000 to remove abandoned vehicles and illegal dumping

7. Transformed public safety system

Divested $14 million from the Oakland Police Dept., invested $1.3 million for standing up MACRO, an alternative to police response, for 911 calls related to mental health.

Added two additional police accountability investigators to “investigate police misconduct and hold police officers accountable.

“As a Black man born and raised in Oakland I am keenly aware of the history of OPD and am committed to transforming policing in this city so that my young Black kids will benefit. I am proud of the Equity Caucus for making $50 million of community investments that we know directly impact public safety. Our budget will keep our residents housed, our businesses open, our children learning, and our communities healthy and beautiful.  These are all things that East Oakland needs and will transform lives and life trajectories of all Oaklanders.  I strongly support the efforts already underway to stand up The Task Force for Transforming Public Safety that we funded in the Equity Caucus Budget that has a specific goal of reducing OPD’s General Fund allocation by 50%” said Councilmember Loren Taylor.

Councilmember Loren Taylor can be contacted via email at ltaylor@oaklandca.gov.

Kiki

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