Opportunities and Challenges for Downtown Oakland (Los Angeles, San Francisco: 2014, low crime, schools)

[jade408]

Good articles in Oakland North:

Downtown Oakland

I've been saying this for a while!

“Many years ago, someone said to me that, in a way, Oakland is fortunate,” said Chris Pattillo, chair of the Oakland Planning Commission. When people abandoned downtowns during the 1960s and 70s, “in many cities, developers bought those buildings, tore them down.” She observed, “The bones of the city are very strong.”

“Fortunately, Oakland was neglected,” she said. “We are left with a treasure trove of historic buildings — the pieces that you need to create this vibrant urban fabric that we all so desperately want.”

And part 2:
5 urban planning challenges for downtown Oakland « Oakland Local

One challenge is along the ideas of good idea, poor follow-through:

Citing Broadway Auto Row, which was redesigned 15 years ago and is about to undergo another facelift, Pattillo noted, “The city makes an investment in a public improvement, but they don’t maintain it. Within very short order, shockingly short order, they have to rip it out and do it again.”

And more comments I agree with....

“If you’re committed to more urban housing as being the leading edge of revitalization, you have to also be committed to creating great urban environments,” said Taecker, who has worked on transit-oriented design for the past 25 years. “The other thing it needs to deliver is being a great urban place that is pedestrian friendly.”

“The principal problem” with Oakland’s downtown grid of one-way streets, Taecker said, “is it gives fast-moving motorists priority over pedestrians. To revitalize urban areas, you need to give pedestrians priority.”

Both articles are good reads.

What do you think are opportunity areas for downtown Oakland?

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

I just don't think any of it will work until the crime situation is under control. Oakland needs to throw a lot of money at the police department. Get the place safe, then it will grow like crazy, IMO.

It is fortunate that so many wonderful old buildings are still alive in Oakland, waiting to be revitalized.

I think the whole plan to beautify Oakland first, then the money will come, is wrong. I think it needs to become safe first, then the money will come to beautify it.

If Oakland spent a ton of money on a huge police force, and then did a bunch of Kodak moments of police and the citizens taking back the streets, and hauling off the violent criminals, then Oakland would look attractive, and investors and families would start moving in.

Same thing with the schools. If Oakland had school ratings like Cupertino, people would move to Oakland - if they also felt safe.

Pretty buildings downtown won't matter. There are too many other options in the Bay Area for places to go. Sad but true.

[jsba]

I don't think judge Thelton will allow the city to spend that money on police, maybe a crap load of programs and another overseer but police, goodness no. He and his friends would be out of a job.

[wooliemonster]

Is it still true that only about 15% of Oakland PD lives in the city?

[jw2]

I think Oakland has a good chance to develop nicely if they can get their violent crime under control. It probably should start with not pretending they don't have a gang problem.

Manhattan had a heavy crime problem in the 70's. They turned it around quite a bit. A lot of great development followed

Downtown Los Angeles had a lot of crime in the 90's and it has been turned around to be a low crime large city. There is quite a bit of development with tons coming.

No reason Oakland can't follow in these steps but it has to get the high violent crime under control.

[jade408]

FYI: homicides were down 30% in 2013.
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/oaklan...nt?oid=3732567
Oakland Crime Rate Steadily Drops As Cops Focus On Violent Offenders, Police Chief Says « CBS San Francisco

Notice the headlines aren't as big and pervasive as the one that Oakland is the most violent city list headlines.

[18Montclair]

There are many large projects in various stages of development as we speak.

The 10 major projects that are reshaping Oakland - San Francisco Business Times

As far as housing, downtown has had thousands of new units built and sold recently.

On my wishlist would be a 2-story penthouse with at least 5 bedrooms. LOL

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

Originally Posted by jade408

FYI: homicides were down 30% in 2013.
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/oaklan...nt?oid=3732567
Oakland Crime Rate Steadily Drops As Cops Focus On Violent Offenders, Police Chief Says « CBS San Francisco

Notice the headlines aren't as big and pervasive as the one that Oakland is the most violent city list headlines.

So, only 81 homicides last year. I still don't think that's good enough, Jade. But, glad to hear things are improving.

[SippiStateBulldogs]

Young educated professionals in cities like Oakland, Detroit, Memphis, Pittsburgh, etc... seem to be on the same page. We just need to coordinate or resources.

[bay2bay]

Downtown Oakland is pretty safe. Crime in East Oakland skews the city crime rate.