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Press Release
August 17, 2006
Contact:
Vivian Chang, Asian Pacific Environmental Network, 510-301-3455
Andy Nelson, Urban Strategies Council, 510-407-1887
Oakland Community and Environmental Leaders come together to support Community Benefits at Oak-9th, oppose the referendum
Subheading
Oakland, CA
Oakland community leaders and residents are coming together with environmental groups to oppose the referendum effort to overturn the Oak-9th development, one of the largest development projects in Oakland since World War II. Oak to 9th includes over 30 acres of public parks and 3,100 homes, including 465 affordable homes and jobs for local residents. The referendum, if it qualifies, would require the City Council to rescind its near unanimous approval of the development voted on last month, or to put the decision to the voters.
"Oak to 9th will create over 30 acres of parks, more housing for families earning between $20,000 and $50,000 than any other private project in Oakland, and provide 300 Oakland residents with construction careers," said Andy Nelson of the Urban Strategies Council. "The referendum effort did not talk about the community benefits, and we're getting a lot of calls from people who are upset they signed the referendum now that they've learned more about the project. The referendum is misguided, putting at risk homes, jobs and open space for Oakland's working families and we are confident that Oaklanders are smart enough to know that."
The Oak-9th Community Benefits Coalition, led by the Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN), East Bay Asian Youth Center (EBAYC), and Oakland Community Organizations and the Urban Strategic Council, waged a community campaign to shape the Oak-9th development, engaging thousands of residents in east Oakland.
"Hundreds of community residents waged a 3 year campaign, pushed City Council and the Developer, and we're proud of the jobs and affordable housing that we won." said Evangelina Lara, a member of EBAYC who lives in a San Antonio neighborhood studio with six other family members. "Why do the people behind the referendum want to throw everything away now? Do they know what life is like in our neighborhoods? Families here need good jobs and decent housing – now!"
Environmental groups support Oak to 9th as well. "As a region, the Bay Area faces some tough choices about how and where we accommodate our growing population," said Kate O'Hara, Regional Issues Organizer with Greenbelt Alliance. "Oak to 9th will result in over 30 acres of public parks along the waterfront, and much-needed housing, including affordable homes, within an existing major urban center near transit and jobs. That's smart development," O'Hara explained.
Vivian Chang, executive director of the Asian Pacific Environmental Network notes, "The victory in Oak to 9th is not only the jobs, affordable housing and parks, but also that thousands of local residents were engaged in shaping the project. We have showed that development can benefit the community. We look forward to building on this victory to make sure Oakland's development put community needs first."
According to a recent poll, the overwhelming majority of Oakland voters – 82% – support requiring community benefits from large scale development.
About Urban Strategies Council. Urban Strategies Council is a community building support and advocacy organization located in Oakland, California. www.urbanstrategies.org
About the East Bay Asian Youth Center. EBAYC has a multi-racial, multi-ethnic, and multi-lingual membership of over 700 Oakland families who are involved in one of five after-school learning centers. www.ebayc.org
About Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN). APEN seeks to empower and organize low-income Asian Pacific Islander (API) communities to achieve environmental and social justice. They represent over 500 Asian immigrants and refugees in Oakland's Chinatown and Eastlake neighborhoods. www.apen4ej.org
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For 50 years, Greenbelt Alliance has been the San Francisco Bay Area's advocate for open spaces and vibrant places, with offices in San Francisco, San Jose, Walnut Creek, Fairfield, and Santa Rosa. www.greenbelt.org
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