Arts and Culture
Mayor Sheng Thao, City Leaders Announce New Grant Program to Revitalize Business Along City’s Commercial Corridors
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao joined city leaders and community partners to announce the launch of a new events sponsorship program to increase foot traffic in Oakland’s commercial corridors, support Oakland’s small businesses, and showcase Oakland’s arts and culture community.
By Post Staff
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao joined city leaders and community partners to announce the launch of a new events sponsorship program to increase foot traffic in Oakland’s commercial corridors, support Oakland’s small businesses, and showcase Oakland’s arts and culture community.
Peter Gamez, president and CEO of the city’s tourism center, ‘Visit Oakland,’ was present along with Sofia Navarro, interim director of the Economic and Workforce Development Department.
Called ‘Activate Oakland,’ the program has just under $500,000 to encourage activities downtown to bring together a community and boost local economy that is still recovering from the pandemic.
The funding for ‘Activate Oakland’ will come from the Economy and Workforce Development Department.
Events eligible for funding include games, outdoor karaoke, dance and cooking classes and movie nights.
Grant sizes will be about $10,000 and priority will go to Oakland residents and artists, particularly those from marginalized communities, according to a report in The San Francisco Chronicle.
Aware that foot traffic is slow not just because of a slow recovery from the pandemic but a wave of violent crime, Thao told The Chronicle, “When we activate our streets, this is how we keep each other safe.
“Whether it is performances, whether it is shutting down the street to get the community together, we are looking for those ideas so we can come together… as one Oakland,” said Thao, according to The Chronicle.
Gamez also spoke at the press conference, agreeing that the grant money will increase traffic to commercial corridors downtown and in neighborhoods.
Obelisco Restaurant in Fruitvale holds activities and events beyond the basic offerings of a regular eatery, according to The Chronicle report. Owner Leticia Chavez credits these special activities for keeping her business afloat.
Applications for grants are now open through Oct. 12. Apply at activateoakland.com.
