Posts from — April 2012

Oakland was incorporated as a city on May 4, 1852. The City of Oakland and community groups are celebrating the city’s 160th anniversary with a week of events kicking off at Frank Ogawa Plaza at noon today (PDF). But Oaklanders don’t rest on our laurels – new spots and services bloom! Here is your pre-anniversary reading file:

• AC Transit approved the long-studied Bus Rapid Transit project, connecting Downtown Oakland to Downtown San Leandro with dedicated transit lanes and light-rail-like stations, street improvements, bike lanes, and a super-fast service that will run every five minutes (!).
• The Food Craft Institute has opened in Jack London Square, offering classes for novices and professionals alike.
• New American City has written an extensive article about Redevelopment in California and what the future may hold.
• Bike to Work Month kicks off next week with a City Council proclamation on April 30th. Bike to Work Day is May 10th.
• Vegan restaurant Banana Soy opened on 15th Street near Broadway.
• A nicely-designed wine and whiskey-focused bar named District opens this afternoon at the corner of 9th and Washington in Old Oakland.

Enjoy the new while celebrating the old in Oakland this weekend!

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!