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Near Unanimous City Council Vote Approves Popular Oak Knoll Project

Published

9 years ago

December 10, 2017

With the final approval of the City Council, the former Oak Knoll Naval Hospital site in the foothills of East Oakland will be transformed into a thriving neighborhood complete with restored open space, a community center and new shops.

SunCal, the developer of the project, cleared its final legislative hurdle with near unanimous support by council members to build 918 new homes. Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan moved to approve the project with the support of six other members. Councilmember Dan Kalb abstained.

“It is City Council President Larry Reid and his decades of dogged focus and determination who deserves our thanks,” said SunCal developer Sam Veltri.

“We thank Greg McConnell for guiding us through the process,” he said. “Without his help, success would have been impossible.”

“This was a huge victory for East Oakland, Council President Larry Reid, and the surrounding neighbors, who have worked for nearly 20 years to get this project done and to ensure that appropriate community benefits are attached to it,” said McConnell, president of the Jobs and Housing Coalition and The McConnell Group.
Success came about by bringing together neighbors; the local labors union, LiUNA Local 304: Bishop Bob Jackson’s Men of Valor program, veterans groups, the NAACP, The 200, and independent African American contractors.

“This was a true community effort,” McConnell added.

The developer has committed to contributing to the Oakland Jobs Foundation to help pay to train unskilled workers, many of whom will be reentering the workforce.

David Soyka, a SunCal representative, said, “Our project labor agreement with LiUNA Local 304 and our support of local job training programs is important.”

The Oak Knoll project will generate a combined $36.8 million in annual revenue for the city, plus an additional $30.3 million in one- time revenue. The developer estimates the project will create more than 5,000 jobs with a retail center, community center, marketplace, and 90 acres of restored open public space, including a creek and trail restoration.

SunCal has committed to contribute $20 million to the city’s affordable housing fund, which Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan plans to use to help build on-site affordable housing on a city-owned five-acre parcel.

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The Oak Knoll hospital was demolished in 2011. The hospital was shuttered for 15 years prior to its destruction.

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Oakland Post: Week of October 21 – 27, 2026

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October 25, 2026

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Mayor Barbara Lee Holds Special State of the City Address in Deep East Oakland

In partnership with Rise East and the 40×40 Council, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee held a special 2026 State of the City East Oakland community conversation on Oct. 14. The purpose of bringing a State of the City address directly to the community was to celebrate East Oakland, highli

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1 week ago

October 19, 2026

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Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, left. moderated a community chat with (l.to r.) Selena Wilson, CEO of the East Oakland Youth Development Center; Carolyn “CJ” Johnson, CEO of the Black Cultural Zone; Dr. Noha Aboelata, CEO of Roots Health Center and Greg Hodge, CEO of the Brotherhood of Elders.

By Special to The Post

In partnership with Rise East and the 40×40 Council, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee held a special 2026 State of the City East Oakland community conversation on Oct. 14.

The purpose of bringing a State of the City address directly to the community was to celebrate East Oakland, highlight the work underway, and look ahead to what neighbors, local businesses, youth, funders, community organizations, and partners can accomplish together.

Held at the Roots Community Health/Parker Elementary School Campus at 7929 Ney Ave., the event was emceed by special guest Mark Curry, Oakland native, comedian, and actor.

Lee shared how Rise East and the 40×40 Council have brought together the knowledge, relationships, and resources of people and organizations committed to East Oakland.

Residents bring lived experience, community organizations bring trusted relationships and philanthropy, and businesses bring resources and opportunity, she said, then turned to the government’s role: public investment, services and policy.

But, Lee intoned, City Hall has a responsibility to help connect those efforts.

“I am committed to listening to residents, working across departments and sectors, and helping open doors to opportunity. We must connect neighborhood priorities to the decisions we make about housing, economic development, safety, health and our young people.

City Hall “must be accountable for the results,” Lee said. “The measure of success is what families experience: greater stability, more opportunity and a stronger sense that they belong and have a future here.

“Tonight is an opportunity to listen to the leaders doing this work, learn what is making a difference and identify where we can do more together,” the mayor said.

Lee went on to moderate a ‘fireside chat’ on the theme: Building Oakland’s Future Together — From Neighborhood Investment to Community Empowerment with: