By Rebecca Kaplan–
On June 25, 2024, in Oakland, the Bay Registry sponsored an event called Urban Futures Forum. It was an important gathering about the future of transit-oriented development (TOD) in Oakland. The forum was a crucial step in community engagement. It not only informs about development projects that are in the works, but it also showcases a model of what is possible through socially and environmentally responsible development practices. A goal was to inspire the real estate industry to embrace these practices for a more equitable and sustainable future.
Mandela Station, Eastline, and Coliseum are three projects that are game changers for Oakland. Each one, led by diverse teams with strong local roots, represents the best of transit-oriented development.
Mandela Station will lead the way. This project is very exciting! It’s a transformation of the West Oakland BART station into a vibrant hub for housing, healthcare, public safety, and economic opportunity. Coliseum, a development whose developers just signed a very consequential term sheet with the city, has a vision that will reshape East Oakland and the Bay Area. The Coliseum Area Specific Plan, adopted in 2015, promoted this project.
These developments are about more than just buildings. They’re about ensuring our residents have a stake in the future through job training, small business support, and ownership opportunities. Oakland is setting a new standard for responsible urban development. We’re leveraging technology and innovation to create a sustainable future for everyone. The projects represent a massive investment in our region, with a combined potential of 16–20 million square feet of development. They will create jobs, attract businesses, and generate economic activity for decades to come. These developments will generate ongoing tax revenue that will fund vital public services well into the future.
Among the many things co-located at the Mandela Station will be the Bay Well Health Center. To have the co-location of housing and healthcare is a model for improved health outcomes. By locating healthcare on transit, we enable broader regional access to essential services, ensuring greater accessibility to healthcare throughout the Bay Area. Associating healthcare near housing assures better outcomes not only for patients but also for their caregivers. A new 911/311 call center and evidence lab at Mandela Station will enhance safety and economic vitality.
Community Partnership is essential. Together, we can build an Oakland that is full of opportunity and jobs, is environmentally friendly, and has more affordable housing, tech and tools for public safety, and walkable, transit-accessible locations. It will be an amazing thing to see for all Oaklanders.
Councilmember At-Large and Council President Rebecca Kaplan, who is the Vice Mayor of Oakland, was elected in 2008 to serve as Oakland’s citywide Councilmember; she was re-elected in 2016 and 2020. She also serves on the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC). Follow councilmember Kaplan on Twitter @Kaplan4Oakland (https://tinyurl.com/2dtjmazc) and Facebook
( https://tinyurl.com/2p9dd5ta).
Out of the Closet and Into City Hall
Published on August 8, 2024
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