Category — lakemerritt
A recovery for Uptown and Oaksterdam
April 20, 2012
On this beautiful day we have nothing but good news for downtown: a new investment and HUB for Oakland, new moves from an important local industry on 4/20, and some flattering television profiles of our favorite neighborhood.
A new Hub for Uptown, above Grand
Broadway’s large Western block between 23rd and 24th Streets downtown is owned by a spin-off of Signature Properties. A follow-up to the successful Broadway Grand project across 23rd, it’s approved for a 367-unit development. In what is hopefully another sign of economic recovery, the first phase, about 100 units, will likely start construction this year on the rear of the block on Valley St – home to one beautiful brick facade which will hopefully be preserved. But more immediately, the half of the block facing Broadway is fully leased under the curation of Numi Tea owner Ahmed Rahim, and so later this year we’ll see a fully-occupied commercial strip from the forthcoming Sweet Bakery at 24th all the way to Ozumo at Grand.
One of these spaces will be occupied by the developing HUB Oakland project, an application to bring the Google-sponsored incubator for woman and minority-led technology startups to downtown Oakland. Tonight HUB Oakland hosts a mixer and panel discussion at Oakcollectiv, though all tickets were reserved in advance, look for more events and news from HUB Oakland on Facebook.
4/20
It’s not all doom and gloom for the medical cannabis industry, as demonstrated by the spirited protest today at the Dellums Federal Building. Former Prop 19 spokeswoman Dale Sky Jones is taking over Oaksterdam University and it will likely survive though on a smaller scale, while Richard Lee will reopen the Oaksterdam Gift Shop, which is a great stop for visitors to the city. Read an Oakland North interview with the two of them to learn how they expect to continue serving patients and employing Oaklanders.
In celebration of 4/20, which has become slang for marijuana for some reason, the New Parish (579 18th St) hosts the “12th Annual 420 Fest” of island music headlined by Fungo Mungo, and stoner favorites the Extra Action Marching Band come to the Uptown (1928 Telegraph) tomorrow along with fellow hornmeisters Damon and the Heathens.
What’s on TV?
A few nice TV news spots about the DTO this week:
- ABC7 profiles the Gardens at Lake Merritt (entrance on Bellevue)
- KTVU reports that Downtown Oakland is leading the housing recovery, based on demand from downtown workers.
- News10 Sacramento highlights the Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment (610 16th St, Ste. 230) planning 24-hour video game marathon as a fundraiser.
Enjoy this beautiful weekend!
Bad luck or good spirits?
January 13, 2012
Some say Friday the 13th brings bad luck, but every Friday downtown brings good times. And on this star-crossed day, we definitely have good luck
Last night was Jack London’s 136th birthday, and literary enthusiasts toasted his work at his favorite watering hole, the gloriously distressed Heinold’s First and Last Chance Saloon (48 Webster). As Andy K. asked on Twitter, shouldn’t Jack London’s birthday be celebrated on a larger scale?
The East Bay Bike Party is leaving from Snow Park this month; its ski-themed social ride around Central Oakland begins at 7:30.
The Oakland Running Festival has also decamped from Frank Ogawa Plaza to Snow Park, announcing its route which has been carefully coordinated with AC Transit to avoid the traffic snarls that paralyzed the city last year. Check out OaklandMarathon.com for the course and to register.
The Wall Street Journal published a nice video on the suprising success of Old Oakland’s Pop Up Hood. Check it out!
Just outside of downtown, the Oakland Peace Center opens tomorrow at 29th off Broadway with a weekend of tree-planting, workshops on tolerance, children’s activities, and discussion. Check out the Facebook event for a full list of programs.
Enjoy your DTO weekend! I’ll see you in Uptown.
