Arts and Culture
Oakland Officials Appear to Break Faith on Promises to Downtown’s Black Businesses and Cultural District
The Oakland City Council made a firm promise in January to provide resources to support Geoffrey’s Inner Circle and the Black Art Movement and Business District (BAMBD). As a result of the agreement, owner of Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, Geoffrey Pete and many African American leaders and groups, agreed to drop the appeal against the city’s Planning Commissions flawed approval of a massive high rise in the middle of the historic Black district.
“Promises made must be promises kept,” said club owner Geoffrey Pete
By Ken Epstein
The Oakland City Council made a firm promise in January to provide resources to support Geoffrey’s Inner Circle and the Black Art Movement and Business District (BAMBD).
As a result of the agreement, owner of Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, Geoffrey Pete and many African American leaders and groups, agreed to drop the appeal against the city’s Planning Commissions flawed approval of a massive high rise in the middle of the historic Black district.
Since then, City Council and the administration have refused to discuss implementing their commitment and seem to be trying to squirm out of their promises, say community leaders. For example, the issue was scheduled four times on the council’s agenda for discussion but was removed.
“We want our issue front and center now and done,” said Mr. Pete, adding that the community has the right to expect more from Councilmembers Carroll Fife, Nikki Fortunato Bas, and Rebecca Kaplan, as well as Mayor Sheng Thao and her administration.
The promises include:
- Public streetscape improvements, including banners, to honor, uplift and commemorate important cultural, sports, arts, and historic people and institutions in Oakland.
- Funding to support, arts, music, comedy, and cultural institutions in the district
- Make resources available to strengthen and ensure the long-term vitality of the district, supporting businesses, including Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, as well as providing tenant improvement, façade improvement, accessibility, etc. in the district.
- A certain amount of financial preservation support was promised to Geoffrey’s Inner Circle to support its continuance. To date, Geoffrey’s has received $50,000 in emergency funds, nothing more.
- A declared amount of funding was promised to the BAMBD for security, beautification, preservation, and support for businesses, artists, and residents of the district.
“There has been zero update” on most of the items in the resolution, said Mr. Pete. “(The item) has been removed from the City Council agenda four times, and it was noted on record as ‘no new date scheduled’ to discuss the line item,” he said.
