TOWNE CRIER #25
COMMUNITY ACTIVISM
There is a lot going on in the neighborhood these days and sometimes we don't always get adequate notice of important meetings. But that doesn't make them any less important.
Tonight is one such meeting at The Egghouse, 229 Harrison (corner of Third Street) in Oakland, from 7-8:30pm.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IMPACT ISSUES
The City of Oakland organized it and it is regarding all four of the neighborhood Construction Projects-Impact Issues related to the ongoing development projects. Representatives from all four of the projects, as well as DON SMITH from CEDA-Oakland's Community and Economic Development Agency. The four projects are: 426 Alice Street-across from our front door; 300 Harrison Street-across from our garage side; 127 Second Street and 206 Second Street
The Agenda is at the bottom of this newsletter.
Hopefully more than a few of us can be there, armed with questions and input.
If you can't be there and want to provide input, contact Smith at 510/238-4778 office, 510/238-3586 fax or via email at dsmith@oaklandnet.com.
Another way to get your questions brought up at the meeting is to contact GARY KNECHT at KnechtGary@aol.com. Gary is on the new Jack London District Board* and is President of SoNIC, another neighborhood organization.
JACK LONDON DISTRICT ASSOCIATION
The neighborhood is about to have a new organization, which is in the process of getting incorporated. The interim officers are: Wendy Tinsley, President (Fourth Street Lofts), Ben Delaney, VP (CyberEdge business & residence on Martin Luther King Blvd), Simon Waddington, Secretary (Tower Lofts), Joanna Adler, Treasurer (Jack London Mail), Steve Sacks (Prime Smoked Meats), Bach Nguyen (Jack London Realty), and Gary Knecht (Egghouse).
COVENANT HOUSE
There was a meeting Monday night at Mayor Jerry Brown's building at 200 Harrison, on the corner of Second Street and Harrison. The building used to house the Mayor before he moved down to the new Sears lofts, and We The People. The corrugated two-story metal building has been on the market for more than a year is in escrow now. Covenant House is buying it and the deal should be final in July or so. If all the permits and processes are completed, Covenant House plans to open around Thanksgiving time.
There was a vocal group meeting with SEAN SULLIVAN, Development Director; JULIA MAXSON, Program Director for the Oakland Intake Center, and the Executive Director for Covenant House California, based out of LA. Also present were our Oakland City Councilwoman, NANCY NADEL; and CHRIS CADELL from CEDA.
By the way, Nancy Nadel is running for Mayor of Oakland.
My impression was that the presenters had a generalized presentation, but weren't able to answer specific questions or address neighborhood concerns. This project is moving fast and will be a done deal unless someone or something quickly raises flags.
One issue which was raised by the neighbors concerned the actual use of the building in our neighborhood. Right now we're being told that it is for a Shelter which basically wouldn't be occupied during the day, and the residents would be 'in' for the night and not allowed outside. The concern was that the Shelter in our neighborhood could become the Intake Center, which is currently at 271 Telegraph in downtown Oakland. The current shelter is a temporary one at St. Andrews Church located at 925 Brockhurst at San Pablo in West Oakland. It was requested that Covenant House include a provision in their permit process that the Jack London District site wouldn't become the Intake Center. The Covenant House people hedged and wouldn't agree.
RON BROWN, the developer of the new building on Second and Jackson, across from Amtrak, said there were disclosure issues. He said under California Real Estate Laws, as a developer he is required to disclose neighborhood things, such as the fan on the Amtrak building which can be heard. Brown said Covenant House in the neighborhood would be something he would have to disclose.
Covenant House has applied for a Major Conditional Use Permit and that hearing comes before the Oakland Planning Commission on Wednesday 18 May 2005 at 6pm in City Council Chambers. This is an important meeting to attend or get comments to the right person.
I'm including Gary Knecht's notes from the meeting, at the end of this issue.
TRASH BASH VI
Fifty of our neighbors joined in for the sixth Trash Bash Saturday 23 April 2005 and cleaned up the neighborhood. Fourth Street Lofts was represented by CATHERINE CHASE, STEVE FOSSUM, RICK LEICHER, WENDY TINSLEY and four others whose names I didn't get. (sorry) Tower Lofts-who had the most participants with 9 1/2 - claimed Catherine also in their count because she owns lofts in each building.
Other buildings were ALLEGRO-6; BRICKHOUSE-2; EGGHOUSE-1; NEW MARKET LOFTS-8; PORTICO-3; SIERRA-9 and MISCELLANEOUS-5.
After the neighborhood was cleaned up, there was a BBQ which was also well-attended.
The Merchants who donated were: Bay Cities Produce - 300 Webster; Ben & Jerry's - 505 Embarcadero; Jack London Mail - 248 Third Street; Prime Smoked Meats - 220 Alice Street; Subway - 336 Madison; Tea House China Bistro - 200 Broadway; Warehouse Bar & Grill - 402 Webster; and Yia-Yia's - 200 Alice.
NEW NEIGHBORHOOD EATERIES
Both Subway and Sierra Deli & Market opened late last month. They both are on Madison.
Subway is at 336 Madison, and it's open daily. Monday-Fridays the hours are 10am to 8pm; Saturday 11am-6pm, and Sunday 11-5pm. This is the Subway which donated to our Trash Bash.
Sierra has two doors, on Madison and the main door on Third Street, corner of Madison. It's open six days a week. Monday-Friday it's open 6:30am-8pm. It may open later and close earlier on Saturdays.
The nice thing about Sierra is that it is a mini convenience store. It has Berkeley Farms dairy products-milk, eggs, cheese, butter, etc. There is also Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream products, Marie Callendar frozen entrees, Birds Eye frozen vegetables and there are canned goods and other last minute items folks need.
FRESH ORANGE JUICE
For those of us who don't drink coffee but want a fix in the morning, Cuckoo's Nest offers freshly squeezed Orange Juice.
SMILE
Smile is the name of a new dental office opening soon, according to its sign. It is located between Subway and Sierra Deli on Madison.
Have a nice weekend!
Lynne
AGENDA FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IMPACT ISSUES MEETING
Subject: Discussion of JLDA concerns relating to development projects in the Jack London area
Purpose: To resolve any misinterpretations of conditions of approval associated with the construction impacts of the Jack London area projects
- Introductions
- City concerns and issues
- Project/Construction signage - Well lettered signage, clearly describing project, developer and an emergency contact telephone number, hours of construction, after hours security
- A detailed construction management plan to be made available to community and City --- Copy of construction crew job site instructions
- Haul route plan, including dust prevention
- Advance notice (one week) of any major construction event, i.e. large concrete pour, major material delivery
- Noise monitoring requirements if noise complaints occur
- Community outreach
- City actions if community complaints continue
- Community concerns and issues
- Noise
- Saturday construction activity
- Major construction events
- Regular outreach events to keep community informed
- Next steps