City Government

City to Evict Homeless Around Lake Merritt, Erect Third Tuff Shed Village

Published

8 years ago

October 5, 2018

Oakland’s third Tuff Shed village has been installed south of Lake Merritt, across the street from Laney College, just next to the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center. It will hold 40 people in its 20 sheds. Each shed is equipped with two beds and a center divider for privacy.

The newest Tuff Shed village is expected to house those living in encampments around the lake, which are being cleared in the coming weeks. A recent census by nonprofit Operation Dignity found that 65 homeless individuals were living around the lake. The City acknowledges that not everyone will be able to fit into the Tuff Shed site, yet as the sheds are erected, the City plans to enforce ‘no camping’ rules in the area.

“We don’t consider these houses. We consider this moving from a tent to a bed, and then the next step is to move from a bed to real housing,” said Joe Devries, an assistant city administrator. To date, 41 people who have moved into the first two Tuff Shed sites have moved on to transitional and permanent housing, 23 have found jobs, and all have received access to social services and healthcare assistance, according to a Sept. 27 email update from Councilmember Abel Guillén.

All three Tuff Shed villages—one at 27th and Northgate, another at Sixth and Castro—have minimal ground rules, like no weapons, verbal or physical abuse, open fires, theft, drug-dealing or using drugs on the premises. Residents can come and go as they please, but must sign in and out, and they may not access storage sheds without staff permission. Guests are allowed, but may not stay overnight.

The sites offer portable toilets, a case worker on site, and storage nearby for people’s belongings. Through a partnership with nonprofit Lava Mae, a free weekly shower service will visit the sites. Yet many homeless people and advocates are resistant to the project, especially the clearing of existing tent encampments.

City officials say that tent encampments have caused over $500,000 in damages to a wetland restoration area, and that one camper’s fire nearly burned down the Rotary Nature Center on the north shore of the lake. “Our unsheltered residents deserve our support and compassion, but so do children who rely on the Junior Center of Art and Science (and) families who rely on Lake Merritt as the place to find refuge and connection with nature,” said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf.

But some homeless advocates, like Nino Parker, founder of Homeless Green Team, are skeptical that the Tuff Sheds are in the best interest of the city’s unhoused population. “If you have nowhere to put someone, then your vehicle to remove them ends, because at that point, you’re just pushing people around the streets,” he told the East Bay Express in September.

Parker is homeless, and he has organized several encampments to keep their areas clean, through the Homeless Green Team project. He also organized to protest the closure of lake campsites at a rally on Sept. 11, the same day as a meeting of Oakland’s Life Enrichment Committee addressing the Tuff Sheds. Sixteen people from the public spoke about the Tuff Shed project, several were critical of the project.

“We want to see long-term solutions,” said Nikki Fortunato-Bas, a candidate for Oakland City Council, District 2. She asked for more input from the community before the council’s vote. “There was a rally this afternoon…You all have to listen to our homeless neighbors to hear what they want.”

Oakland resident Oscar Puentes said the project should be a solution to homelessness, but is being used “as an excuse to kick out people who have already dealt with the fact that Oakland can’t provide them affordable housing.”

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The Marin City Flea Market Is Back

The Marin City Flea Market returns on May 23, offering arts, crafts, vintage items, and collectibles. The market aims to uplift local vendors and celebrate cultural diversity.

Published

1 day ago

May 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Customers shopping in Marin City Flea Market. Photo courtesy of marincityflea.org.

By Godfrey Lee

After a long absence, Marin City will once again hold its flea market. The market will have its grand opening on Saturday, May 23, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Andrew Presbyterian Church parking lot on 101 Donahue St. It will be held every fourth Saturday of the month

The market will be free to the public

There will be arts, crafts, vintage, collectibles, and other items on sale at the market. Interested vendors can contact info@marincityflea.org or text (415) 484-2984 for more information.

“The Marin City Flea Market’s mission is to uplift local vendors, celebrate cultural diversity, and provide an accessible community space where creativity, entrepreneurship, and connection can thrive,” says their website, marincityflea.org.

The flea market is sponsored and run by the Rotary Club of Marin City.

For more information, contact info@marincityflea.org. Or text to (415) 484-2984

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Amsterdam News

School District Extends Supt. Dr. Denise Saddler’s Contract for a Second Year

The Oakland Board of Education has extended Superintendent Denise Saddler’s contract through June 2027, promoting her from interim to permanent superintendent with a salary of $367,765.45 per year.

Published

1 day ago

May 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Supt. Dr. Denise Saddler. File photo.

By Post Staff

The Oakland Board of Education voted this week to extend Superintendent Denise Saddler’s contract for another year, from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.

Under the new agreement, Saddler’s job title will become “superintendent”; she will no longer be called “interim.”

Along with the new title, she will receive full superintendent benefits and salary at $367,765.45 per year, according to the employment agreement.

The vote to approve the new contract passed 5-2 at Wednesday night’s board meeting.

Saddler’s original interim contract was for one year. The school board was planning to select a permanent superintendent by the fall but earlier this year decided to delay the search.

The new contract reflects the Board of Education’s “determination that continuity in executive leadership is in the best interests of the district as Oakland Unified continues implementation of its fiscal stabilization strategies, academic priorities, labor relations initiatives, and operational improvements,” the employment agreement reads.

In November, the board approved a $150,000 contract with a consulting firm to carry out that search, but Board President Jennifer Brouhard told KQED last month that the process never got off the ground.

“No work was done, no money has been paid for the work (to) the search firm for the superintendent search,” Brouhard said. “Hopefully, we’ll be resuming that in the early part of the fall.”

Dr. Saddler was born and raised in Oakland, attended local schools, and has dedicated more than 45 years of her career to serving Oakland students and families.

She began her career in 1979 as a teacher of students with disabilities. Over the years, she has served as a teacher, principal, district leader, and teachers’ union president.

While working in OUSD, she has served as principal at Chabot Elementary, area auperintendent, and executive leader for Community Engagement and Educational Transitions. She has also supported schools as a principal coach and substitute principal and taught at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Education.

Dr. Saddler holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Mills College and master’s degrees in special education and in Staff Development and Administration.

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Activism

Mayor Barbara Lee Joins National Public Safety Leaders to Advance Proven Violence Reduction Strategies

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee attends a two-day meeting with other mayors and public safety leaders to discuss violence reduction strategies; Oakland has seen a 39% drop in homicides.

Published

1 day ago

May 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Oakland was one of four cities participating in a public safety convening. Courtesy image.

By Post Staff

Mayor Barbara Lee this week joined Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and public safety leaders from Oakland for a two-day meeting focused on advancing cutting-edge public safety strategies, including focused deterrence and violence reduction.

The meeting brought together civic and public safety leaders from Oakland and Indianapolis to locations in Baltimore and Philadelphia to share lessons learned and identify innovative approaches to crime prevention, intervention, and enforcement.

The participating cities are widely recognized for pioneering community-centered public safety models that prioritize prevention, accountability, and sustained investment in neighborhood-based solutions

Oakland’s delegation included Department of Violence Prevention (DVP) Chief Holly Joshi, Oakland Police Department Assistant Chief Casey Johnson, and Ceasefire Director Annette Jointer.

Oakland’s participation underscores its continued leadership in advancing evidence-based violence reduction strategies and building a public safety system that integrates law enforcement with community intervention and prevention programs.

Oakland continues to see historic reductions in violence, reflecting coordinated efforts across the Department of Violence Prevention, Oakland Police Department, Ceasefire, and community-based partners, including:

Violent crime down 22%
Homicides down 39%
Lowest homicide total in nearly 60 years

These gains reflect sustained investment in focused deterrence strategies, real-time intervention, and expanded community violence interruption programs.

“Public safety is not achieved by any one agency alone—it requires coordination, trust, and a shared commitment to prevention and accountability,” said Lee. “We are proud to stand alongside cities like Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Indianapolis that are proving what works. We are seeing real progress in reducing violence in our communities, and we remain committed to building on that momentum through strategies that center prevention, intervention, and strong partnerships with residents.”

“Oakland’s progress shows what is possible when cities invest in focused deterrence and wraparound supports that reach people most at risk,” said Joshi. “Our work is grounded in building trust, responding quickly to emerging conflicts, and connecting individuals to services that interrupt cycles of violence. This convening was an opportunity to strengthen that work through shared learning with peers who are advancing similar strategies nationwide.”

Said Johnson, “Effective public safety requires a balanced approach that combines accountability with deep collaboration across agencies and communities.”

“We are seeing meaningful reductions in violent crime because of strong partnerships between law enforcement, DVP, Ceasefire, and community organizations,” said Johnson. “Engaging with peer cities allows us to refine and improve the strategies that are making Oakland safer.”