News

Near Unanimous City Council Vote Approves Popular Oak Knoll Project

Published

6 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 April 17 – 23, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

Published

1 hour ago

April 19, 2024

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California Black Media

Yahushua’s Law: Senate Advances Bill to Protect Students from Extreme Weather

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3. The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Published

14 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Yahushua Nyerere Robinson (Courtesy Photo)

By California Black Media

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3.

The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) and co-authored by Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D-La Mesa), SB 1248 directs the California Department of Education to develop comprehensive guidelines for schools regarding student activity during all extreme weather conditions.

“No student should ever lose their life on campus to extreme weather when we can take steps to protect them by preparing statewide plans to minimize exposure to the most harmful elements of exposure,” Hurtado said after introducing SB 1248.

The bill stipulates that schools must implement safety measures which include monitoring weather forecasts, postponing or relocating outdoor activities during hazardous conditions, and ensuring students have proper hydration and access to shade. It also requires schools to establish clear communication plans to keep parents, teachers, and students informed about potential weather hazards.

Supporters of the bill include the Robinson family, advocate Christina Laster, Bold Enterprises LLC, California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute, Familias Empoderadas del Valle Central National Action Network, The Black Student Advocate, and the Ventura County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Thanking Hurtado for introducing this crucial legislation, Weber said, “The story of Yahushua Robinson last year was heartbreaking. We have protections for farm workers and other industries in the case of extreme weather, now climate change is forcing us to also extend similar protections to students at school.”

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Barbara Lee

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on Deaths of Humanitarian Aid Volunteers in Gaza 

On April 2, a day after an Israeli airstrike erroneously killed seven employees of World Central Kitchen (WCK), a humanitarian organization delivering aid in the Gaza Strip, a statement was release by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12). “This is a devastating and avoidable tragedy. My prayers go to the families and loved ones of the selfless members of the World Central Kitchen team whose lives were lost,” said Lee.

Published

2 days ago

April 17, 2024

Oakland Post

Congresswoman Barbara Lee

By California Black Media

“This is a devastating and avoidable tragedy. My prayers go to the families and loved ones of the selfless members of the World Central Kitchen team whose lives were lost,” said Lee.

The same day, it was confirmed by the organization that the humanitarian aid volunteers were killed in a strike carried out by Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Prior to the incident, members of the team had been travelling in two armored vehicles marked with the WCF logo and they had been coordinating their movements with the IDF. The group had successfully delivered 10 tons of humanitarian food in a deconflicted zone when its convoy was struck.

“This is not only an attack against WCK. This is an attack on humanitarian organizations showing up in the direst situations where food is being used as a weapon of war. This is unforgivable,” said Erin Gore, chief executive officer of World Central Kitchen.

The seven victims included a U.S. citizen as well as others from Australia, Poland, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Palestine.

Lee has been a vocal advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza and has supported actions by President Joe Biden to airdrop humanitarian aid in the area.

“Far too many civilians have lost their lives as a result of Benjamin Netanyahu’s reprehensible military offensive. The U.S. must join with our allies and demand an immediate, permanent ceasefire – it’s long overdue,” Lee said.