This document provides an overview of the planning process for an EcoInnovation District in Uptown/West Oakland. It discusses the history and current state of the area, including challenges like vacancy, blight, traffic issues and lack of open space. Community members are being engaged to develop a plan that supports equitable growth, economic development and sustainability, building on existing community plans and efforts. Residents are encouraged to participate in surveys, meetings and other opportunities to help shape the vision and strategies for improving the district.
2. WHAT IS AN
ECOINNOVATION
DISTRICT plan?
A community plan focused on equitable
growth, economic development, and
sustainability.
Centered around Uptown/West Oakland,
this EcoInnovation District plan will be
created WITH you and include your ideas
FOR YOUR COMMUNITY. This includes
ensuring that improvements here reinforce
the work already underway in the Hill
District.
FIRST THINGS FIRST…
3. THIS AREA IS THE FOCUS OF THE PLAN BUT…NEIGHBORHOODS DO NOT
EXIST IN VACUUMS. THE TASK IS NOT JUST TO IMPROVE UPTOWN / WEST
OAKLAND BUT ALSO SUPPORT THE IDEAS AND PLANS OF OUR NEIGHBORS
most notably the hill district, Oakland and downtown..
4. NEXT QUESTION:
HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO THE BUS RAPID
TRANSIT (brt) PLANNING THAT began A WHILE
AGO?
There was some planning for BRT but that process
has been put on hold so that this community plan can
shape potential transit improvementsand not the
other way around.
Planning for transit improvementswill be folded into
your vision for the community.
5. THE ECOINNOVATION DISTRICT IS JUST
GETTING STARTED. THIS OPEN HOUSE IS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM YOU. THIS IS THE FIRST OF MANY
OPPORTUNITIES TO SHAPE THIS PLAN. PLEASE STAY INVOLVED!
6. Website discussion
We launched ecoinnovationdistrict.org last
week and set up Instagram and Twitter accounts to keep
everyone informed.
7. Now is our
chance to share
with you some
of what we’ve
learned SO FAR…
8. Let’s start at the
beginning. The area was
established by james
Tustin in the early 1800s.
Yes, this tustin
He called the area “soho”
after soho in England
where he studied.
9. This picture shows the early beginnings of uptown.
Goods and materials were delivered via the river and
transferred to local roads. Uptown was established
as a place to move goods and people throughout the
city.
Houses in uptown
Second avenue
River boats
RIVERFRONT MILLS
10. When industry moved in along the river,
the area further developed around those
mills. Uptown became home to immigrants
from many countries
11. The area had bustling streets and active businesses
of all kinds– notably along fifth and forbes.
This is fifth avenue in 1908
13. The boulevard of the allies was created in the 1920s as a tribute
to the 30 nations who sacrificed soldiers in world war i.
It created a
highway
next to
uptown and
completely
cut off the
views to
river.
14. The fifth avenue high school was built in 1894 and expanded in
1926. in the 1930s, it served mostly eastern European immigrants.
These families settled in the surrounding blocks.
20. The forbes
elementary school
in 1966. the loss of
residents in uptown
(and citywide)
forced the closure
of this school in
1973.
21. At one time, The forbes school was also home
to the adult & immigration school – preparing
students from 28 countries for citizenship.
22. So what happened?
Like many cities,
jobs relocated
outside of cities,
the suburbs
expanded and
unfair lending
practices –
redlining –
prevented
residents from
getting mortgages.
Notice uptown and
the hill district
shown here in red
23. Urban renewal policies contributed to the area’s decline due
to demolition and the forced relocation of residents.
Demolition in the
lower hill - 1955
24. The result is that the number of residents in communities like
uptown, west Oakland and the hill district declined. This chart
represents the change in uptown’s population from 1940 to 1990.
25. Since this time, residents and community leaders have worked
hard to improve their communities. These efforts include
Oakland 2025, the greater hill district master plan and
greenprint to name a few. We are not starting from scratch
here. Rather our task is to reinforce and support this work.
Existing studies & plans
26. This map summarizes all of the proposals from other plans that address
uptown. You’ll note that while uptown is included in these plans, it is
not the focus. this is an opportunity to specifically address the
challenges facing uptown and its residents and businesses.
27. In uptown, uptown partners have spearheaded community
improvements over the past 7 years. This includes
working with the city and developers to reuse vacant
properties. These buildings will soon be renovated for
those needing affordable housing.
29. These efforts are consistent with the work of uptown
partners who have spearheaded community improvements
over the past 7 years.
…tot lot improvements…
40. In fact, the area is really many different smaller districts: a
residential core, mercy, Duquesne, the hillside, an area sometimes
referred to as the portal in west Oakland and the arena. Each
have their own challenges and opportunities.
41. Based on what we’ve
learned, here are a
few of the
key challenges
we need to work
together to address…
43. The condition of the community
reinforces negative perceptions
of crime.
“
“
“
“
44. However, between 2004 and 2014,
part 1 crimes in the area declined
by 35% with huge decreases in
burglary and theft.
45. This is how much of the area is
currently vacant.
46.
47. Vacancy & blight encourages bad
behavior like illegal dumping. This is a
real quality of life issue for residents.
48. But at the same time, the community is
also facing concerns about
redevelopment.
Change seems to be on the horizon but too many
properties are hard to acquire TO MAKE BETTER USE OF.
“
“
“
49. there are also many concerns about displacement. This
strategy has to be equitable
“
“
50. For years, property was acquired,
buildings were demolished and lots
used for this.
“all of this demolition is destroying
the community”
51. In response, the city created the interim
planning overlay district (ipod) which prohibits
the demolition of buildings in the community.
52. Certainly, with the consol center, there are
opportunities to make money on parking.
58. Sometimes new investment sits next to an empty
building. Fortunately, the building on the left is
now being renovated.
59. It’s not just market rate housing, there has
also been substantial investment in affordable
housing.
60. And despite the new housing, there are still not enough
services for residents. Besides a few corner stores and
restaurants, there are no other stores that meet daily
needs.
“When I was a child there were a lot of
stores up and down Fifth and Forbes
Avenues- there were a lot of mom and
pop stores, small businesses. There are
some opening up near the university,
but there aren’t many stores left. “
61. One of the primary challenges is
transportation.
Thousands of cars pass through
the area creating real traffic and
health issues…
“
“
62. …as well as safety concerns! These are all of the crashes
in the area over the past decade – a significant number.
63. Frequent crash sites, like at forbes and gist, are the result
of fast moving traffic. This impacts everyone’s safety,
including those that are hearing and visually impaired.
64. The boulevard of the allies creates some of these
issues. Some cars exit the boulevard and drive
through the community too quickly.
65. And don’t even think of
walking along it! Although
called a “boulevard”, it is far
from it. This is how much
space you have as a pedestrian
and fast moving cars are
right next to you!
66. Those choosing to
ride a bike see the
danger – she’s
decided to just ride
on the sidewalk.
67. And all of this pass through traffic decreases air quality
for residents. The darkest red below represent the
poorest air quality on the map – along fifth and forbes.
gasp / the group against smog and pollution
68. The area is also home to a lot of buses. Residents have great
transit access from uptown / west Oakland. Unfortunately,
buses sometimes get stuck in traffic which means that if you miss
the bus, you could wait a while for the next one.
69. And while the buses are a great asset for residents, the
stops could use improvements. It’s a nice day in this
picture but this would be a really unpleasant wait in the
winter.
70. So what about open space. Is
there enough play space to meet
the needs of all residents?
71. Simply put, no. There are larger parks nearby
but very few in the community.
72. In fact, uptown has significantly less open
space for residents than any surrounding
neighborhood – less than half as much as the
hill district and a quarter of what exists
downtown.
75. But basketball courts on
streets like this is usually a
sign that there is a need for
more open space.
76. And not just open space but landscapes that help to solve
regular issues like flooding. Since there are steep hillsides, we
should design to better manage stormwater.
77. You’ve seen the impacts. This is from a storm
just a month ago.
78. Flooding and poor water management lead to
crumbling infrastructure.
79. But despite these challenges, the area has so much going
for it including historic buildings…
81. …and Signs of pride and creativity in the community.
82. In fact, there are significant assets in the area. Here are
just a few.
83. So what do you
think? Where do
we go from here?
we need
your help!
84. this is just the beginning. There are many
opportunities to get involved. These include:
> The open house space was open for the entire month of march
> interviews – We’ve done over 50 so far with residents, business
owners and stakeholders
> Fill out a community survey – closing in April
> Leave a comment on the website – econinnovationdistrict.org
> Attend the next open house – tentatively scheduled for
September – location to be determined
> Focus groups – over the coming months, we’ll organize smaller
group discussions with residents to talk about ideas and strategies
> Public meetings – in addition to the open houses, there will be
other public meetings– the next is coming in early June
Be sure to check the website for updates and the data we’ve collected.
