Oakland Projects and Business Development (Berkeley, Montclair: sushi, eat, rich)

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by mayorhaggar

I think most of the noise where I am is from 51st St., I think people drive on it faster than they need to, I guess it's a feeder to Hwy 24 and Telegraph. I only hear it if I have my windows open, it's slightly irritating but not that bad. Plus my apartment is elevated a bit and surrounded mainly by single-story houses so I think there's no sound barrier between 51st and my place.

I can also hear BART and trains out in West Oakland but I don't really mind that, it's kind of quaint in a way. But if you go north from me like along College Avenue you can hear Hwy 24 and BART really loud...must be nice to be near the BART station but the highway noise and BART are loud.

You don't really get these noises in a lot of parts of SF where traffic is local--but SF in general is just ridiculously noisy. Rockridge definitely beats my old place next to an obnoxiously raucous nightclub in Hayes Valley (not sure what bozo in City Hall decided it was ok to license a nightclub in a residential area) or my place before that which was right next to a J-Church stop. Those Muni Metro trains can be LOUD.

I live in Upper Rockridge and I can hear the BART trains whizzing by sometimes. Doesnt really bother me though.

Even when I lived in Glenview far from the BART station I could hear the BART train sometimes.

[18Montclair]

Ha! I was just at Zynga yesterday for something totally unrelated to this story. Didnt know about Mayor Quan's visit.

Oakland Fishing for Zynga and Yelp

Oakland Fishing for Zynga, Yelp | NBC Bay Area

[18Montclair]

Let's go Oakland!!

Gateway Bank HQ moves to Oakland

By George Avalos
Oakland Tribune
Posted: 04/12/2011 03:48:04 PM PDT
Updated: 04/12/2011 05:18:52 PM PDT

Gateway Bank said Tuesday that it will move its corporate headquarters from San Francisco to Oakland, in a move that bolsters an up-and-coming section of the East Bay city's downtown.

The move also will shift 65 jobs from San Leandro to the new headquarters, which will be located at 2201 Broadway in Oakland's Uptown district.

"Bringing jobs to Oakland is the only way we are going to climb out of this unprecedented recession," Mayor Jean Quan said.

Gateway Bank HQ moves to Oakland - San Jose Mercury News

Its a pretty building:

http://www.rofo.com/content/building...19d505a5ff.jpg

[jade408]

interesting, that building has lots of non-profits. I thought it was the unofficial non-profit building.

[jade408]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

Ha! I was just at Zynga yesterday for something totally unrelated to this story. Didnt know about Mayor Quan's visit.

I would be excited if one of those companies move here. Fingers crossed! Glad to see Mayor Quan is busy!

[jade408]

Last week, the city had a session called "A Better Broadway" to solicit feedback on the Broadway Valdez specific plan. Another meeting is planned for late April.

There is talk about turning it into a retail destination in the east bay, surrounded by housing etc and turning this into a dense transit oriented development. It is already ideally located, and well served by transit.

Read about the plan, and how to comment. I actually submitted some feedback on the about a year ago, and now they are in the community workshop phase.

City seeks support for Broadway redevelopment plan – Oakland North : North Oakland News, Food, Art and Events

[jade408]

No one has posted much about the proposed streetcar. Here is the latest, last month the council approved an official study:

City Council Unanimously Votes in Favor of Streetcar Study 03/15/2011

As expected, last night the Oakland City Council voted unanimously to approve the grant application for the "Broadway Alternatives Analysis Transit Study." This vote is great news and represents the first step toward a streetcar. Unlike the 2005 Jack London BART Feasibility Study, this study will carry real weight in the planning process (Alternative Analyses are required for all major transportation projects; Feasibility Studies are a more general first step). The Alternatives Analysis will likely focus on three main options: the status quo of existing AC Transit service; expanded transit service with the Broadway Shuttle; and a streetcar line. It will also refine alignments and other choices. Like the Jack London BART Feasibility Study, I have every reason to believe that a streetcar wind up the preferred alternative given the economic benefits of streetcars (similar analyses across the country have arrived at the same conclusion--streetcars will generally win as long as 1) there is significant economic development potential (definitely yes), and 2) there is no significant obstacle to construction (while Oakland has some constraints, they are all workable).

Moving forward, Oakland has to obviously receive the grant, and we must continue to increase awareness about the project. Just because councilmembers voted for the study does not mean the project is even on their radar, and it's important to note that to even get this study complete Oakland will need to come up with an additional $700,000 from grants and the private sector. This vote is just one small piece of the puzzle. Nevertheless, a victory is a victory--every project has to start somewhere--so tell your neighbors, friends, and councilmembers that you support the Oakland Streetcar!

City Council Unanimously Votes in Favor of Streetcar Study - The Oakland Streetcar Plan

Hopefully there will be more updates later this year. The college kid who created the streetcar plan has had a lot of positive PR around his "plan" and the city stood up and took notice.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by jade408

No one has posted much about the proposed streetcar. Here is the latest, last month the council approved an official study:


City Council Unanimously Votes in Favor of Streetcar Study - The Oakland Streetcar Plan

Hopefully there will be more updates later this year. The college kid who created the streetcar plan has had a lot of positive PR around his "plan" and the city stood up and took notice.

Ive salivated over that plan for a long time...


http://www.oaklandstreetcarplan.com/...521968.jpg?363

If it eventually happens, over time, Id like to see it go directly up Telegraph Av and down E.14th as well. It would be a great catalyst for transit-oriented development down E.14th.

Also, one can also see the a Victory Court station right in front of a new baseball stadium.

Directly to the terminal at Oakland Airport is another interesting idea...too bad they didnt plan this together with BART as to save some money on that very expensive BART to OAK connector.

We have a concurrent Bus Rapid Transit plan being developed as well.

http://www.transformca.org/files/ban...ay-oakland.jpg

Oakland Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) | TransForm

Id rather see a LRT.

[jade408]

I am OK with BRT, especially if it can happen in a very short term period. LRT takes so much more construction. I'd love another subway, but I can settle for nicer, faster buses.

I really want a streetcar!

[athleticsfan72737489]

Originally Posted by jade408

I am OK with BRT, especially if it can happen in a very short term period. LRT takes so much more construction. I'd love another subway, but I can settle for nicer, faster buses.

I really want a streetcar!

I really want a streetcar too. I would also be happy with BRT on International Blvd.

In places like Leon, Mexico and Bogota, Colombia they built a BRT system and they say it reduced crime. I think it will do the same for International. I've actually been to Leon and the system there has helped lower crime and has made parts of the city look more inviting.