Category — uptown

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!

It’s Friday the 13th, and after an arresting image of City Hall being struck by lightning made the Facebook rounds today, a sunny day seems more special than usual! Find some of this week’s happenings and new news about the DTO, in this week’s collection of news and views.

• Paradiso Lounge (née Club) reopens with a dance party by Brothers and Sisters, at 2272 Telegraph.
• Damon and the Heathens play at Cafe Van Kleef tonight (1621 Telegraph).
• TONIGHT is the deadline to nominate a business or artist for an Oakland Indie Award.
• Assembly candidate and Peralta Trustee Abel Guillen hosts a block party on Sunday at 19th and Broadway for the opening of his campaign headquarters, with an after-party at Feelmore510.
• Old Oakland’s Endgame (921 Washington) hosts a MiniCon this weekend, a few slots are still available online.
• The Chronicle picks up on the revitalization of 14th and Broadway.
• Oakland Vegetarian Week, which starts Sunday, features special menus from many downtown restaurants (and restaurants outside the DTO).
• The East Bay Express reviews Old Oakland’s oft-overlooked OB’s Cafe (729 Washington St).
• Lost Amusement Parks of the East Bay is the title of a group of photo displays at the Oakland History Room, including Idora Park, Shellmound Park, and Neptune Beach. Upstairs at the Main Library, 125 14th St at Madison.

Next week: update on Broadway and 23rd Street – a new hub for Uptown?