City Government

Council President Reid Says Oak Knoll Project Will Bring Jobs, Housing And $Millions to City

Published

9 years ago

June 1, 2017

Oak Knoll will contribute $20 Million for affordable housing

The Oakland City Council’s ongoing budget discussion reveals how the loss of redevelopment funding makes it more difficult for the city to generate revenues for jobs and housing services, especially to meet the needs of ever growing homeless population.

Even though Governor Jerry Brown took away Oakland’s flexible redevelopment agency funds after he – while serving as Oakland’s mayor – had utilized that pot of money to assist developers his administration approved of, City Council President Larry Reid still remains optimistic that the former Oak Knoll naval hospital site in his district can be a major opportunity to bring much needed revenues to the city.

Reid’s support for Oak Knoll began 25 years ago when he was the chief of staff to Mayor Elihu Harris, and now he is still touting the potential benefits of developing Oak Knoll.

“Oakland is a city in transition, and Oak Knoll’s commercial and housing plans will be a key part for the revitalization of the Upper East Oakland area,” said Reid.

Reid, who has helped establish residence-based hiring and entrepreneurial policies for the city’s formerly incarcerated and minority populations, claims Oak Knoll can change East Oakland for a lifetime.

Larry Reid

“This city has passed equity policies that are designed to give everyone an opportunity. This project brings community benefits that can help us meet that challenge.”

Reid cites a recent Economic Benefits Report that outlines how the Irvine-based SunCal developer could bring an estimated $54.4 million recurring revenues to the City of Oakland and create a total of more than 5,000 jobs, including the hiring of 2,500 people during the construction phases.
Reid, who constantly fights for East Oakland inclusion, says, “Oak Knoll is the second largest project in Oakland.”

“Oak Knoll can be a super catalyst to all the projects in my district,” he says. “And its success will also spill over into communities below the 580 Freeway.”

The Oak Knoll plan will include 935 new homes, 72,000 square feet of commercial retail space and a publicly accessible community facility that will provide 76 acres of public parks, open spaces and a memorial honoring those who served and were treated at the Oak Knoll Naval Hospital.
“The one-time infusion of cash for the city will come in the form of millions of dollars in straight up fees to the city, and millions of dollars more to the Oakland Unified School District,” said Reid.

“Alameda County stands to benefit to the tune of nearly $10 million in business sales revenue plus $1.3 million in property taxes,” he said.

“I ran for re-election to make sure that Oak Knoll actually happened, and because I made a promise to the residents who live in that neighborhood that we would get this project done by working together, I believe that finally we are now on our way for approval this year.”

Reid said an analysis of the SunCal project shows projected revenues of $29.3 million in spending by new residents with $3.8 million going to the city general fund from sales and property taxes, licenses and permits.

And $4.6 million is expected to also go to other local agencies such as the Oakland Unified School District, BART and East Bay Regional Parks. In addition, $20 million will be paid by SunCal to the city for affordable housing.

“Further, the one-time revenues related to construction activity will bring $875 million for the local economy through direct and indirect multiplier investment effects, while it contributes millions in fees to East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD),” he said.

Another important aspect of the project is that Oak Knoll will contribute $20 million to the City of Oakland to be used to help meet its affordable housing goals. “Oakland is changing, and we must be the kind of city that allows individuals to work in, live in and raise their children in a safe environment,” he said.

“If we don’t do this project, the vacant site will continue to deteriorate, be an ongoing public safety hazard and will be just one more drain on our scarce community resources,” he said.

“I won’t let that happen.”

The project is currently up for city council approval, and council action is expected in July.

(Next: Post analyzes SunCal’s economic assumptions of its direct and indirect multiplier effect on Oakland’s economy.)

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IN MEMORIAM: Longtime OUSD Employee Debra King-Cooper, 73

Longtime OUSD Employee Debra King-Cooper, 73 Caption: Debra King-Cooper. Courtesy photo. Special to The Post Debra King-Cooper, a beloved mother, grandmother, queen, sister, church member, caregiver, and matriarch, transitioned peacefully on May 20 surrounded by family and love i

Published

2 days ago

June 17, 2026

bpusa-syndication

Debra King-Cooper. Courtesy photo.

Special to The Post

Debra King-Cooper, a beloved mother, grandmother, queen, sister, church member, caregiver, and matriarch, transitioned peacefully on May 20 surrounded by family and love in the comfort of her home. To her children, she was royalty, grace, strength, and unconditional love embodied.

Debra Diane Edgar was born on May 28, 1952, in San Francisco, California, to Charles Edgar Sr. and Mamie Arthur Edgar. She was raised alongside her younger brother, Charles Edgar Jr., affectionately known as “Little Brother” or “Lil Bruh.” She also shared close bonds with her older siblings Carol Edgar-Lang, Maryann Edgar Calloway, and Lonnie Lewis Sr.

A proud product of San Francisco’s historic Fillmore District, Debra attended Andrew Jackson Elementary School, where she met her lifelong best friend and adopted sister, Lynn Green, in the fifth grade. She later attended Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary School, Roosevelt Junior High School and Thomas Jefferson High School.

Debra’s mother transitioned when she was only 17 years old, and her father transitioned when she was 23. Despite these profound losses, Debra remained grounded through the love and support of extended family and lifelong family friends,

In 1971, she married Harold King. On Sept. 24, 1972, they welcomed their first son, Dajuan Artese King, affectionately called “Pop” or “Poppa.” On Aug. 5, 1976, they welcomed their second son, Dante Dupree King, affectionately called “Tay” or “Taboocoo the Baby.”

After her divorce in 1982, Debra assumed full responsibility for raising her sons.

She supported Dajuan’s passion for football by purchasing sports equipment and attending games faithfully. She supported Dante’s love of music by enrolling him in the San Francisco Boys Choir, Oakland Boys Choir, and the Castlemont Castleers.

Professionally, Debra built an exceptional career. She worked at Blue Shield of California from 1973 until 1994, earning multiple promotions.

She later joined the Oakland Unified School District, initially in a temporary role before being promoted into management within the Labor Relations Department. She retired from OUSD in 2015 after years of distinguished service. During her years at OUSD, she built meaningful friendships with her colleagues.

Faith was central to Debra’s life. During the 1980s, following personal hardship, she joined Love Center Church under the leadership of Bishop Walter Hawkins, where she brought her children regularly. She later became a member of Triumphant: A Church Without Walls Ministries under Pastor Dr. Larry Short, who became a beloved spiritual mentor.

After Triumphant closed in 1992, Debra joined Cosmopolitan Baptist Church in Oakland under the leadership of Pastor Larry Ashley, where she remained for the rest of her life.

At Cosmopolitan, she worked in numerous ministries. She served on the usher board, sang in the choir, participated in the AIDS ministry during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, helped feed and support unhoused community members, and mentored and supported a group of young girls.

After retirement, she cared for older adults in her church community, driving them to appointments, cleaning their homes, managing finances, preparing meals, and helping families navigate funeral arrangements after loved ones transitioned.

Even while battling Stage 4 cancer herself, she continued caring for others.

Debra was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Edgar Sr. and Mamie Arthur Edgar; her brothers, Lonnie Lewis Sr. and Charles Edgar Jr.; her sisters, Maryann Edgar Calloway and Victoria Stephenson Knight; and her adopted mother, Clara Oliver.

She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved sons, Dajuan King and Dante King; grandson, Tiyler Dajuan Artese King; sister, Carol Edgar-Lang; goddaughters Monique Belle and Ricketa Matthews Jones (Leonard); daughter-in-love Quiona Sullivan; son-in-love Marcel Walker; sister-in-law Delores Lewis; adopted sisters and lifelong friends Lynn Green, Barbara Stephenson Hill, and Sarah Fine; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family members, her church family and dear friends.