Bay Area

Uncle Willie’s Barbecue Seeks Damages from Marriott Corporation

Jerome Taylor, an employee of Uncle Willie’s and a family member shared, “When Marriott showed us their plans, we indicated they were encroaching on our property, which they denied, but they are. Scaffolding and cranes loom 180 feet over our property. The property next door abandoned their business and when Marriott tore the building down, they damaged our building, did a cosmetic fix with plaster, ignoring the cracks. Thick dust and filth in our backyard forced us to shut down a million-dollar business because the health department said we could no longer cook using the backyard.

Published

3 years ago

December 12, 2021

Oakland Post

Unable to operate their business, Uncle Willie’s has contracted with Central Kitchen and Deeply Rooted to provide meals for the homeless, seniors and Oakland Unified School District students, creating enough income to pay the mortgage and keep the lights on.

By Tanya Dennis

In 2018, Marriott Residence Inn and Hotel, which is building an 18-story, 286-room project at 14^th and Jefferson, approached Uncle Willie’s Barbecue restaurant to buy their establishment. After refusing to sell, Craig Jones, co-owner of Uncle Willie’s, was suspect of Marriott’s intentions when he was approached for “air rights” and tiebacks that would encroach on their property for a mere $5,000.

Thomas’ response was “no,” yet Marriott moved ahead with construction encroaching not only on air rights but land rights after installing a narrow barrier of netting.

While large cranes loomed over their yard where cooking was done, Marriott did nothing further to mitigate dust or prevent dangerous objects from falling onto Thomas’ property.

They could neither cook nor offer outdoor dining. It was too dangerous, because of truck fumes, dust, and noise. One tenant moved out of their apartment over the restaurant, and the apartment has remained vacant for two years. Marriott didn’t take into consideration that erecting an 18-story building would create a wind tunnel making the Thomas’ premises perpetually cold.

The Thomas family approached Marriott about how this construction was impacting their business to no avail.

Beverly Thomas says, “We complained to the City, but the City said there was nothing they could do, and that we should hire a lawyer, which, thus far, has been ineffective, leaving us unable to operate our successful, 15-year business.”

Edward Lai, attorney for the Thomas family, said he had never seen tactics like Marriott’s. “I’ve seen a lot of commercial construction in my career, but I have never seen practices like this. I’ve seen this type of construction in San Francisco and seen the care. I’ve never seen a business shut down for fear of debris falling on people’s heads.

“There are practices here that could be cleaner and different to allow my client to continue operating, but it’s not happening,” Lai said. “A boxcutter with the blade extended and a 10 to 15-pound metal piece fell in the backyard of my client. It could have been deadly.”

Uncle Willie’s, which closed for 18 months, is demanding compensation for mental anguish, loss of tenants and two years of being unable to operate their business. The Thomas family estimates their losses at several million dollars.

In response, Marriott is offering $58,00 to rent out their backyard for the next two or three months, but if accepted the Thomas’ can’t go after Marriott for past damages.

Marriott, on the other hand says there are acting in good faith.

“We’re working to be good neighbors,” said Marriott attorney Josh Byrd. “We’ve offered solutions and safety measures but haven’t heard from them yet. We want to engage with them and help them but it’s a work in progress. We’re doing our best. An offer is pending but has not been accepted.”

“They feel it is OK to infringe on us with no recourse,” Jones said. “…They have a figure of an African American on their building yet stick their finger up at an African American business, not caring how we have been negatively impacted.”

“We’re known for our barbecue in the community, Taylor said. “Marriott shut us down. We’ve been damaged.”

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The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 24 – 30, 2024

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Op-Ed Senate Bill 966 Threatens Health Equity in East Bay

My East Bay community is struggling to get by. A proposed State Senate bill would set us back even further. Serving the East Bay community has been my life’s work and my greatest joy. After leaving the Bay Area to complete my seminary, I returned home to found The Community Church in Oakland. From the outset of my time as the church’s pastor, I have been guided by the belief that my service must extend beyond the pulpit, because the health and economic needs of my community are so great. Our church has organized free food banks, COVID-19 testing clinics, and a housing and re-entry program for those suffering from addiction.

Published

1 week ago

July 19, 2024

Oakland Post

Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. VanHook

By Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. VanHook

Special to the Post

My East Bay community is struggling to get by. A proposed State Senate bill would set us back even further.

Serving the East Bay community has been my life’s work and my greatest joy. After leaving the Bay Area to complete my seminary, I returned home to found The Community Church in Oakland.

From the outset of my time as the church’s pastor, I have been guided by the belief that my service must extend beyond the pulpit, because the health and economic needs of my community are so great. Our church has organized free food banks, COVID-19 testing clinics, and a housing and re-entry program for those suffering from addiction.

Through my service, I have seen the challenges that our community members are facing. Oakland, my hometown, has the third-highest rate of violent crime in the state. The local economy is strained. Oakland-based businesses are leaving our community because they’re struggling to get ahead.

Both East and West Oakland has disproportionately high rates of respiratory illness due to heavy air pollution. While our local efforts have brought some aid to those in need, we are also counting on our state elected officials to help us address the systemic health disparities afflicting the community.

Chief among the health concerns of community members is having reliable and affordable access to prescription drugs. Equitable access to medications gives us the peace of mind that we can keep ourselves and our families healthy and safe. Our community should not have to choose between paying rent or purchasing prescriptions.

Unfortunately, rather than taking action to combat soaring prescription drug prices, some California lawmakers are pushing legislation that could raise patient costs at the pharmacy counter.

The Legislature is currently considering SB 966, a bill backed by special interests that would undercut the few tools we have to keep prescription drug costs contained, letting big drug companies increase their prices, profiting on the backs of working families – some of whom already live paycheck to paycheck.

SB 966 would target the fundamental programs through which small businesses, unions, and government health programs are able to offer their employees and members quality and affordable healthcare. Millions of Californians rely on these plans to obtain essential medications at the lowest-possible cost.

The bill would make it illegal for employers and unions to incentivize the administrators of their prescription drug plans to negotiate for the lowest possible cost for prescriptions. Right now, small businesses and unions can choose to pay these administrators more for taking on big drug companies and securing discounts – a choice that will be outlawed under this bill.

As a result, employers will have no leverage to stop big drug companies from setting sky-high prices, disproportionately impacting working families.

As these health costs quickly add up, employers will have little choice but to pass the increases down to their employees. That means California patients will see higher healthcare costs and co-pays.

From my perspective, most concerning is that the bill would exacerbate the health disparities impacting my community and other underserved populations. If SB 966 becomes law, the most vulnerable may be forced to skip prescription doses, stop filling their prescriptions, and avoid essential care.

By rejecting this cash grab by big drug companies, our state elected officials can send a clear message that they stand with the community, patients, and working families.

We cannot afford SB 966.

Rev. Dr. VanHook is the founder and pastor of The Community Church in Oakland and the founder of The Charis House, a re-entry facility for men recovering from alcohol and drug abuse.