FAcElIFTS AND NEW jobS: FAçADE AND TENANT ......FaceliFts and new jobs (continued from page 1) Tenant improvement grants of up to $45,000 are available in select areas for interior

WHAT’S INSIDE

FAcElIFTS ANDNEW jobS: FAçADE AND TENANT ImprovEmENT grANTS page 1

mESSAgE From DEpuTy DIrEcTor page 3

commErcIAl lENDINg HElpS buSINESSES groW page 8

mAkINg NEIgHborHooDS grEENEr page 10

pAcS mAkE A DIFFErENcE page 11

gET rEADy For THE SummEr’S HoTTEST EvENT! page 12

FaceliFts and new jobsFaçade and tenant grants spruce up storefronts and bring new businesses

Spring is a time for new beginnings and fresh starts. You may have recently noticed businesses in your area sporting

fresh coats of paint, beautiful tile work or new lighting, signs and awnings. But you may not know that the improve-

ments owe a lot to the Redevelopment Agency’s Commercial Property Façade and Tenant Improvement Programs.

EspEcially

valuablE in tough

Economic timEs,

façadE and tEnant

improvEmEnt grants

lEvEragE thE privatE

invEstmEnts of

businEss ownErs.

thEy rEducE blight

and EliminatE vacant

buildings, making

businEssEs and

commErcial

corridors safEr and

morE attractivE

to customErs

and, thErEby,

incrEasing businEss.

“When (a business) does a façade improvement, they don’t put up a sign saying, ‘Assisted by your re-development dollars,’ so people don’t know,” says Tom Thurston, a Fruitvale resident and chairman of theCentralCityEastProjectAreaCommittee(PAC).“Theydoknowthatthebusinesslooksnicer.” Throughtheseprograms,Redevelopmentspendsmorethan$1millioneachyearonmorethan50projects. Especiallyvaluableintougheconomictimeslikethese,façadeandtenantimprovementgrantsleveragetheprivateinvestmentsofbusinessowners.Theyreduceblightandeliminatevacantbuildings,makingbusinessesandcommercialcorridorssaferandmoreattractivetocustomersand,thereby,increasingbusiness. Theyalsohelpcreatejobs,astenantimprovementgrantsforinteriorimprovementsofvacantspaceshavebeenattractiveluresforpeoplestartingnewcompaniesorconsideringmovingexistingonestoOakland. “Asapackage,relativetoothercitieswewerelookingat,includingBerkeleyandEmeryville,thiswasdefinitelymoreattractive,”saysJohnNotzofHodoSoyBeanery,whichmoveditstofu-makingplanttoWestOaklandfromSanJoselastfall.Inadditiontoa$45,000tenantimprovementgrant,thecompanyreceivedaloanthroughtheOaklandBusinessDevelopmentCorporation.(Formoreinformationoncommerciallending,seepage8.) Façade grants are available in key commercial corridors in participating redevelopment areas. Tenantsand property owners can apply for funding to paint, replace windows and doors, and add signs, awnings,lighting or landscaping. Grant amounts, which are based on linear-feet measurements, generally cover 50percentofthecostofeligibleimprovements.InredevelopmentareasthatalsoaretargetedforNeighborhoodCommercialRevitalization,grantscancoverasmuchastwo-thirdsoftheprojectcost.

(continued on page 2)

RedevelopingoAklANDR e a s s e s s / R e e va l u at e / R e b u i l d / R e v i ta l i z e

SprINg 2010 / ISSuE 5 / vol 5

FaceliFts and new jobs (continued from page 1)

Tenantimprovementgrantsofupto$45,000areavailableinselectareas for interior commercial spaces that have been vacant for sixmonthsormore.Fundscanbeusedfordemolitionandreconstruction,systems work such as plumbing and electrical, interior design, haz-ardousmaterialsabatementandcompliancewiththeAmericanswithDisabilities Act. (In the Central District, up to $99,000 is availablefortenant improvementsandupto$50,000forfaçadechanges,withanother$25,000availableforhistoricrenovationsinhistoricdistricts.) For both programs, the Redevelopment Agency will match anapplicant’s costs up to the cap and reimburse expenses. Free, limitedarchitecturaldesign servicesalsoare available.Formore information,visitwww.business2oakland.com/redevelopment. Here, we spotlight projects throughout the redevelopment areasthatareimprovingbusinessesandneighborhoodsandcreatingjobs.

broADWAy/mAcArTHur/SAN pAbloSalBednarzhassomerevolutionary ideasaboutcommunity, startingwiththenotionsthatyouaremorethanyourFacebookprofileandtextmessagesarenothugs. SoafterheopenedActual CaféthiswinteronSanPabloAvenueinNorthOakland,heproposedsomethingalmostunheardofinour24/7,plugged-indigitalworld.Heaskedpatronstoleavetheirlaptopsathomeoneweekendandactuallyconversewiththeirneighbors. Theresponsewassooverwhelmingthatthecaféisnowalaptop-freezoneeveryweekend. “People come out of their way on weekends to come to the cafébecausewedon’thavelaptopsandit’sadifferentenvironment,andtheymakeapointoftellingusso,”Bednarzsays. It’s only one way that Bednarz is helping build community andcreateagatheringspotinachangingneighborhood.ThereareweeklymovienightsonWednesdays,craftsonThursdaysandgamenightsonSundays.ThefirstFridayofeachmonthfeaturesanartopening. AresidentoftheGoldenGateneighborhoodfor10years,Bednarzlongdreamedofhavingsuchaneighborhoodspot.TheRedevelopmentAgencyhelpedmakehisvisionanactualrealitywithfaçadeandtenant

improvementgrantstofixupthe longvacantbaitandtacklestoreat6334SanPabloAvenue. ActualCaféreceivednearly45percentofitstotalprojectbudgetof$89,000fromthegrants,includingnearly$18,000fortenantimprove-ments and nearly $23,000 for façade improvements, including someadditionalfederalCommunityDevelopmentBlockGrantmoney. Work included plumbing, electrical, framing and finishing in theinterior,andfaçadeconstructionincludingwindowsanddoors,aswellasawningsandsignage. “Mybudgetwasnothuge.Ineededtogetcreativeaboutwheremyfundingwasgoingtocomefromtodotheproject,”Bednarzsays.“Thegrantsmade itfinancially feasible todo theprojectoverall andmadeitpossibletodothingsIwouldnothavedoneotherwise, likeaddingexteriorawnings,whichreallychangedthelookofthebuilding.” Actual Café, which is open most days from early morning untilnight, is one important part of the changes that are improving SanPabloAvenueandthesurroundingarea. “This stretch of San Pablo has been more about prostitution,graffiti and vandalism than it has about anything positive. A lot ofpeoplewere intimidatedbySanPablo, and that’s changing,”Bednarzsays.“In thepast sixmonths, Ihavenoticedtheneighborhoodgoingfromfairlydesolatetomorefullofpeople.”

location: 6334 san pablo avenuearchitEct: frank architectsstaff: christine lebron, [email protected]

OveronTelegraphAvenue,Oasis Marketalsoopenedforbusinesslastfall,thankstoa$45,000tenantimprovementand$30,000façadegrant.Theredevelopmentfundinghelpedcoverasubstantialportionofthetotalcostof$170,000inimprovements,includingstorefrontwindows,tile,stuccoandpaintontheexterior,andinteriorworkincludingpaint,flooring,woodworkandaheatingandairconditioningsystem.

location: 3045 telegraph avenuearchitEct: yhlastaff: christine lebron, [email protected]


2 | rEDEvElopINg oAKlAnd

oASIS mArkET, bEForE AND AFTEr

AcTuAl cAFE, bEForE AND AFTEr

springishere,andtherearesignsoflifeandnewbeginningswhereveryoulook.Here at the City of Oakland’s Redevelopment Agency, we are particularly excited to bring newprojectstofivelocationsinEastOaklandandDowntown.

TheAgency-ownedsiteswere the targetofaNoticeofDevelopmentOpportunities (NODO)thatwentouttodeveloperslastfall.Wereceived15proposalsforthepurchaseanddevelopmentof10sites,andwehaveselecteddevelopersforfivecommercialprojects,includingmixed-usedevelopments,seniorhousingandasupermarket. AsiteatFoothillBoulevardand73rdAvenueisproposedtobecomeasatellitecampusforthePeraltaCommunity College District, as well as an Oakland public library branch. The mixed-use developmentalsowouldincludeseniorhousingandarestaurant. Asecondsite,at66thAvenueandSanLeandroStreet,isslatedtobecomeamuch-needednewgrocerystoreandgasstationthatwillemploymorethan100workers.The70,000-square-footstorewouldbethelargestinthearea,anextremelyunderservedcommunity.Itwouldopeninfall2011. Wearealsomovingforwardwithdevelopmentsatthefollowingsites:ClaraStreetandEdesAvenue;FoothillBoulevardandSeminaryAvenue;andDowntownatSanPabloAvenueand19thStreet. Theseprojectswilleliminateblightandengagevacantparcels,createnewjobsandprovideservicesforresidentsandsalestaxrevenuetotheCity. Significantly,alloftheprojectsaremarket-ratedeals,andnonewillbesubsidizedwithpublicdollars.Bybuyingpropertyandassemblingsites,wehaveshownthatthereisinterestininvestingprivatecapitalinEastOakland,andwestandreadytoworkcloselywiththesedevelopersandotherswhomaybeinterestedindevelopingothersitesinOakland’sredevelopmentareas. Public-private partnerships already are changing the face of Oakland’s redevelopment areas, and theAgency’sfaçadeandtenantimprovementgrantsareoneofthemostnoticeableefforts.SuchprogramshavegonealongwaytowardmakingtheFruitvaleoneoftheCity’smostvibrantcommercialdistrictsandtowardattractingthebumpercropofnewrestaurantsmakingDowntownagourmetdestination. Inthisissue,wespotlightprojectsthroughouttheredevelopmentareasthatareimprovingboththelookandsafetyofourcommercialcorridors,attractingnewbusinessesandcreatingjobs. We also highlight our ProjectArea Committees, or PACs. These groups of area residents, businessowners and other concerned citizens devote time and energy and help make decisions about howredevelopmentfundsarespentintheirneighborhoods. Investments in projects as diverse as a dog park at Mosswood Park in the Broadway/MacArthur/SanPabloarea,urbangardenimprovementsinWestOaklandanddecorativestreetbannersintheCentralCityEastareashowthatcitizeninvolvementthroughthePACsdoeshelpshapeourcommunities. Inaddition,wetakealookatbusinessesintheredevelopmentareasthathavebenefittedfromtheCity’scommerciallendingprograms.Asoundandaccessiblelendingprogram,datingbacktothemid-1980s,hashelpedgrowandattractsomepremiumbusinessestoOakland.Ithashelpedentrepreneursstartingtheirfirstbusinessesgetontheirfeet,andithashelpedbusinessesthatwanttoexpandandoffermoreservicestotheOaklandcommunity. As always, we ask that you patronize these and other local businesses to help keep our communitystrong.

Message FroM deputy directorGreGory Hunter, deputy director of

economic development and redevelopment

Gregory D. Hunter

rEDEvElopINg oAKlAnd | 3

Piedmont Piano moves Downtown.

Hodo Soy, which supplies restaurants like San

Francisco’s Slanted Door and Koi, has moved its

processing plant to West Oakland.

Farley’s East expands to Oakland’s Uptown District.


cENTrAl DISTrIcTBigchangesalsoareunderwayinDowntownOakland’sUptownneigh-borhood,whichisfinallyreachingitspromiseasanartsandentertain-mentdistrict,anchoredbythenewlyrestoredFoxTheaterandhistoricParamount Theatre and home to an increasing number of high-endrestaurantstotickleanygourmet’sfancy. At the site of the former Sweet Jimmy’s nightclub at San PabloAvenue and 18th Street, an 1890s’ building that was stripped of itsVictorian façade in the 1960s has been restored to its former glorywith $50,000 in façade improvement grants that helped offset costsof more than $150,000. Eleven storefront bays were rebuilt in solidwoodandtheroofwasredoneinVictorian-stylecedarshingles. “This is one of my favorite and most dramatic before-and-afterhistoric rebuilding projects in 10 years,” says Brian Kendall of theRedevelopmentstaff,whoworkedwiththebuilding’sownersandtenants. Already,twonewbusinesseshaveopenedinthebuilding,bothofwhichalsoreceivedtenantimprovementgrants. TheNew Parish,an8,000-square-footnightclubthatfeatureslivemusic and DJ dancing, received $82,000 for more than $200,000 inwork and Hibiscus, a Caribbean Creole restaurant helmed by ChefSarah Kirnon, formerly of Front Porch in San Francisco, received$50,000formorethan$200,000ininteriorimprovements. Alsoslatedtoopeninthebuildingareacaféandwomen’sandmen’sclothingstores.

location: 1745 san pablo avenue

architEct: rpr architects

staff: brian kendall, [email protected]

Acrossthestreet,Piedmont Piano isalsohelpingbringnewlifetotheneighborhoodinitsnewlocation. OwnerJimCallahanhasturnedthevacantCaliforniaArtSupplyBuildingintoanewpianoshowroomandmusicschool,whichisalsohosttoregularpianorecitalsbywell-knownpianists. Callahan, who had his business on Piedmont Avenue for morethan30years, sayshewanted toownabuildingandconsolidatehisshowroom,warehouseandotherfunctionsunderoneroof.Hereceiveda $50,000 façade grant and $99,000 tenant grant for the renovation

of the 18,000-square-foot building, which cost more than $600,000.Among the improvements is aneon-blade sign thatmatches theArtDecobuildingandreflectssomeofthearea’siconicArtDecoarchitecture. “Theprojectcouldn’thavehappened”withouttheRedevelopmentgrants,Callahansays.“Theypaidforalargeportionofourrenovation.” Callahanisthrilledwithhisnewneighbors,fromtheNewParishtotheFoxTheaterandOaklandSchoolfortheArts,andsuppliesthemwithpianosandkeyboards. “Theneighborhoodhasturnedouttobemuchmorevibrantandwonderfulthanweeverimagined,”hesays.

location: 1728 san pablo avenuearchitEct: rpr architectsstaff: brian kendall, [email protected]

Also Downtown, work is complete after three years on a majorhistoric restoration and seismic bracing of an 1880s’ building on thecornerofWashingtonandEighthstreetsinOldOakland,oneoftheneighborhood’slastbuildingsinneedofrenovation.Theownerof727Washington Street and 511 Eighth Streetreceived$80,000infaçadegrants for $225,000 in improvements on two neighboring addresses,which included installing solid wood storefronts to replicate theoriginalones.

location: 727 washington street and 511 Eighth streetarchitEct: prentice and prentice inc.

staff: brian kendall, [email protected]


hibiscus and

piEdmont piano

arE just two of

thE businEssEs that

havE rEcEivEd

rEdEvElopmEnt

grants which arE

transforming

uptown into an

EntErtainmEnt

dEstination.Hibiscus Restaurant Piedmont Piano


727 WASHINgToN STrEET, bEloW, bEForE AND AFTEr

“ thE façadE program is vEry important. it’s onE way you can

physically changE thE nEighborhood. somEtimEs physical

improvEmEnts lEad to thE rEst of thE improvEmEnts.”

alEx papahadjopoulos, ownEr


WEST oAklANDIfyouthinkyoudon’tliketofu,youprobablyhaven’ttriedHodo Soy Beanery’stofu. The fresh tofu maker, which moved from SanJoselastOctobertoopenastate-of-theartprocess-ing facility in West Oakland, has already caughtthe attention of chefs from Slanted Door’s CharlesPhan to Koi’s Daniel Patterson. Its ready-to-eatdishes,suchasspicysoycroquettes,alsocanbefoundat area farmers’ markets and increasingly at localgrocerystores. “We loved the centrality of West Oakland, andwelikedthefactthatOaklandisbecomingahubofentrepreneurial activity and food,” says John Notz,thechieffinancialofficer,whorunsthecompanywith“tofumaster”andVietnamnativeMinhTsai. Notz says the former candy factory and bakeryat 2923 Adeline Street was perfect for the com-pany’s“beanery,”allowingthecompanytoexpandtonearlyfivetimesthespaceithadinSanJose.HodoSoy Beanery shares the building with other foodmanufacturers. A$45,000tenantimprovementgranthelpedsealthedeal,asdidaloanthroughtheOaklandBusinessDevelopmentCorporation,whichhelpedcovermorethan$400,000. “Itwasapleasureworkingwith”Redevelopmentandotherstaff,Notzsays. TheWestOaklandfacilityoffersone-hourtoursandtastingsfor$10forthose interested in learningmore.Formoreinformation,visitwww.hodosoy.com.

location: 2923-a adeline street architEct: maxwell a. beaumont staff: hui-chang li, [email protected]

cENTrAl cITy EASTThehistoric,three-storySenator BuildingatFoothillBoulevardand35thAvenue

hasreceivedafaceliftwiththehelpofafaçadeimprovementgrant.Newtilework,

windows,awningsandlightingnowframetheformalarchedentryandarehelping

attractnewbusinessestothefiveground-floorcommercialspacesoftheapartment

building. The work will complement the upcoming streetscape improvements to

FoothillBoulevard.

“The façadeprogram is very important,” says co-ownerAlexPapahadjopoulos.

“It’s one way you can physically change the neighborhood. Sometimes physical

improvementsleadtotherestoftheimprovements.”

Theprojectreceivedaredevelopmentareafaçadeimprovementgrantof$35,000

andafederalCommunityDevelopmentBlockGrantof$30,000tohelpcoverthe

nearly$115,000cost.

“It’salreadyattractingbetterbusinesses,andthatattractsbettertenants.Itreally

seemstofeedonitself,”Papahadjopoulossays.

“Thisareaisjustsortofwaitingtobebroughtbacktowhatitoncewas,”headds.

“It takes a sustained effort of people who really care to keep working to improve

theareaandmakeitaplacewherepeoplewanttoliveandcanfeelsafe.”

location: 3518-30 foothill boulevard

architEct: frank architects

staff: david ralston, [email protected]


s above: Employee at work at Hodo Soy Beanery


SENATor buIlDINg grouND lEvEl, bEloW, bEForE AND AFTEr

FaceliFts and new jobs(continued from page 5)

For15years,theboarded-up,abandonedbuildingsat10500MacArthur

Boulevardhadbeenablightontheneighborhood,attractingdumping,

homelessness,druguseandviolence.

ButDr. Uchenna Okoronkwo,whorentedamedicalofficenext

door,hadavisiontotransformthatblightintoagreatergoodforthe

communityanditsresidents.

Ayearago,aftertremendousworkandaninvestmentofmorethan

$900,000,Okoronwkoopenedanew medical officeandhasplansto

openacommunityclinicandpharmacyintheunderservedarea.

“I’mtheonlyprivatephysicianaroundhere,”saysOkoronkwo,who

hasworked intheareasince1994.“Iserveallpopulations.Wedon’t

turnpeopleaway.”

Okoronkwo credits the Redevelopment Agency funds and staff

for helping make his vision a reality. He received a $45,000 tenant

improvementgrantandtwo$20,000façadeimprovementgrants,one

fromCentralCityEastredevelopmentfundsandtheother fromthe

federalCommunityDevelopmentBlockGrantprogram.

Theareaisnow“totallydifferent,likedayandnight,”hesays.

location: 10500 macarthur boulevard

architEct: storefront solutions and lowney architecture

staff: gaddy reyes, [email protected]

Anotherbuildingthathasseenadramaticturnaroundisthehistoric

ClassicalRevivalbankbuildingat2607 Seminary Avenue.

The long-vacant property, which had been declared a public

nuisance and was deemed substandard by code enforcement, now is

slatedtobecomehometoacharterschool.

Extensive interior and exterior work included a seismicretrofit,electrical,plumbing,paint,awnings,doors,windowsandmore. Interior work cost $169,500 with $45,000 reimbursedby a tenant improvement grant, and exterior upgrades cost$129,500 including $35,000 from a redevelopment façadeimprovementgrantandanother$30,000infederalfunds.

location: 2607 seminary avenue

architEct: urban impression

staff: hagerenesh solomon, [email protected]

Afaçadeimprovementgrantof$15,000hasallowedtheownersof Ivy Beauty & Bridal to transform their building at 414 E.12thStreetintoabeautifulone-stopshopforbridalware,makeupandphotographyservices. The business is receiving rave reviews from customers whoappreciatetheeaseoffillingmanyoftheirwedding-relatedneeds,frombridesmaiddressestoalterationstodécor,forareasonablepriceatonelocation.

location: 414 East12th street

architEct: frank architects

staff: kimani rogers, [email protected]


“ i’m thE only privatE physician around hErE. i sErvE

all populations. wE don’t turn pEoplE away.”

uchEnna okoronkwo, md


mEDIcAl oFFIcE buIlDINg bEForE AND AFTEr

clASSIcAl rEvIvAl bANk buIlDINg bEForE AND AFTEr

Ivy bEAuTy AND brIDAl SHop bEForE AND AFTEr

FaceliFts and new jobs(continued from page 6)

La Peña Bakeryhasbeenabletoshowthatamodestamountofgrant

moneycangoalongway.

Usinga$9,630grantforfaçadeimprovement,thebakeryat 3355

Foothill Boulevard installed new transom windows, an awning,

signage,entrancetilingandlights.Asoneofsixbusinessesundertaking

improvements in a two-block area, the work is helping revitalize a

key section of the Foothill-Fruitvale shopping district and inspiring

otherbusinessestofollowsuit.

location: 3355 foothill boulevard

architEct: urban impression

staff: david ralston, [email protected]

colISEumDon Dianda has owned the Wendy’s restaurant at International

BoulevardandFruitvaleAvenuefor17years.

When he recently learned about the façade improvement grants

availablefromtheRedevelopmentAgency,herealizedhecouldmakea

bigchangetoadatedrestaurantataprominentintersection.Workwas

completedinDecember2009.

“Itlookslikeabrandnew,moderndesign,”saysDianda,whoowns

eightWendy’sthroughouttheBayArea.“Theneighborsandcustomers

havecommented.Businesshasimproved,absolutely.”

Theprojectreceiveda$37,500Coliseumredevelopmentareafaçade

grant and another $37,500 Community Development Block Grant

façadegranttohelpfundnearly$155,000inimprovements.

Changes also included a new interior (paid for by the owner),

redoneparkinglotandnewlandscape,lightingandtrashcontainers.

“The help from [the Community and Economic Development

Agency] was crucial,” Dianda says.“We were able to do something

muchmoreinterestingthanarun-of-the-millremodel.”

Dianda called the process relatively easy and staff members

extremelyhelpful.

“If there are funds available out there, I don’t know why other

businessesaren’tdoingit.Wecouldmakethewholeneighborhoodlook

better,”headds.“It’sbetterforallofus.”

location: 3111 international boulevard

architEct: lowney architecture

staff: gaddy reyes, [email protected]

Coliseumareadinersalsocaneatatanotherspiffylocation,theWorld

PizzaRestaurant on98thAvenue,justeastofEdesAvenue.

Therestaurantowner,AsterTesfasilasie,receiveda$45,000tenant

improvementgranttohelpwithrenovationsofabout$160,000.

location: 655 98th avenue

staff: daniel seamans, [email protected]

Innovative Construction Solutions also received a $40,000 tenant

improvementgrant,helpingthebusinessmoveitsNorthernCalifornia

locationtoTidewaterAvenueinOaklandfromHayward.Thegeneral

engineeringcontractorhandlesconstructionjobscomplicatedbyenvi-

ronmentalandregulatoryissues,suchasSuperfundsiteremediation.

location: 4721 tidewater avenue

staff: tanya boyce, [email protected]

“ if thErE arE funds availablE out thErE, i don’t

know why othEr businEssEs arEn’t doing it.

wE could makE thE wholE nEighborhood

look bEttEr … which is bEttEr for all of us.”

don dianda

ownEr of wEndy’s rEstaurant

WENDy’S rESTAurANT, bEForE AND AFTEr


lA pEñA bAkErybEForE AND AFTEr

coMMercial lending helps businesses growIfyou’reconsideringstartingorexpandingyourbusinessinOaklandbutarehavingtroublereceiving conventional financing, Oakland’s Commercial Lending program may be abletohelp. Administered by the Oakland Business Development Corporation (OBDC), thecommercial lending program provides personalized technical and financial assistance tosmallbusinessownerstoattract,retainandexpandOakland’seconomicbase. Inadditiontomakingbusinessowners’dreamsareality,suchloanshelpbringneededservices,taxrevenuesandjobstoOakland. Forinformationoncommercialfinancing,visitwww.obdc.orgorcall(510)763-4297.Technical and other assistance also may be available through the Oakland BusinessAssistanceCenteratwww.oaklandbac.comor(510)238-7952. Followingarethesuccessstoriesofseveralrecentcommercialloanrecipients: Revolution Foods,whichmakesanddistributeshealthyschoollunches,movedtotheColiseum redevelopment area, near the Oakland International Airport, in March 2009fromAlameda. “WealwaysconsideredOaklandourbackyardandourhome,”saysCEOandco-founderKristinGroosRichmond.“TheCitywasextremelysupportiveincomingtobatforusandgettingusagreatloan.Allthepiecescametogether.” Revolution Foods received a $249,500 Coliseum redevelopment loan to support thebuild-outofitsnewfacilityinaformerwarehouse.Theexpansionallowedthecompanytoconsolidateitsfood-serviceoperationsandcorporateheadquartersandtonearlydoublethenumberofitslocalemployeesto120. Groos Richmond calls the loan significant.“It was close to a third of our build-outcosts,”shesays. RevolutionFoodsserves120schoolsintheBayArea,manyofthemcharterschools,aswellasschoolsinSouthernCalifornia,ColoradoandtheWashington,D.C.metropolitanarea.Lastsummer,thecompanyalsoprovidedthefoodfortheCity’ssummerfoodserviceprogram, which helps feed low-income children and families during the months whenschoolisoutandfreeschoollunchisnotavailable. “It’s amazing to be able to offer fresh, healthy food to families at a time when theeconomyisreallytoughonpeople,”GroosRichmondsays. The company is growing fast as the topics of childhood obesity and healthy schoollunches gain national attention, especially from First Lady Michelle Obama. GroosRichmondwasscheduledtotraveltotheWhiteHousetomeetwithherinearlyApril. Premier Organics is another Coliseum-area business taking advantage of the City’scommercialloans.ThemakersofArtisanaorganicnutbuttersaremovingfromtheircurrentlocationon81stAvenueacrossthestreettotheformerMother’sCookieproductionplant. Themoveintoa20,000-square-footspacewillallowPremierOrganicstoexpanditsop-erations,improvefoodsafetyandconsolidateitscorporatefunctionsandwarehousespace. PremierOrganicsreceiveda$175,000Coliseumarearedevelopmentloantobuildoutthenew location, aswell as$50,000 in façade and tenant improvementgrants from theRedevelopmentAgency. Thecompanyemploys19full-time-equivalentworkersandplanstoaddapproximatelyeightnewfull-timepositions. Also in the Coliseum redevelopment area, One Toyota Oakland has opened in therecentlyvacatednewcardealershipnearHegenbergerRoad,highlyvisiblefromInterstate880.



Meal preparation at Revolution Foods

Products from Premier Organics

Premier Organics warehouse

OwnersBrianMcCaffertyandBradBarnettwontherighttoownand operate Oakland’s newest Toyota dealership through a highlycompetitiveprocess. Theduowasabletosecurea$249,500Coliseumarearedevelop-mentloantobeusedforcapitalimprovements.OneToyotaOaklandhas104full-timeemployees. Downtown, in the burgeoning Uptown District, Bakesale Betty wasscheduledtoopenitssecondlocationatthecornerofBroadwayandWestGrandAvenueinApril,savingdowntownofficeworkersthetriptotheTemescaltolineupforherfamedfriedchickenandcoleslawsandwiches. AlisonBarakat,betterknownasBetty,andherbusinesspartnerandhusbandMichaelCampreceiveda$241,000BroadwayCorridorloan,aswellas$99,000 inredevelopment façadeandtenant improvementgrants. “Weoutgrewour space inTemescal, and itwas time toopenupanother space with bigger facilities to keep up with the demand forourproducts,”whichalsoincludebananabread,browniesandscones,saysBarakat.“WearesoexcitedtobejoiningalltheotherbusinessesDowntown,particularlyintheUptownarea.It’sanideallocation.” “TheCityhasbeengreat,andOBDChasbeenawesome.Theyhavegoneaboveandbeyond,”shesays.Withouttheloan,“theshopwouldnotbeopen.Weoweitalltothem.” Barakatplanstohire44newemployeeswithinthefirstfewmonthsof operation, in addition to the 65 workers already employed at theTemescallocation.

commeRcial lending helps businesses gRow(continued from page 8)

Around the corner Broadway, Farley’s East has opened a café at33 Grand Avenue, branching out from its original location in SanFrancisco’sPotreroHill. The cafe, which opened in Spring 2009, has become a populargatheringspotforthegrowingnumberofUptownresidents,commu-nitygroupsandartists.Itspecializesincoffee,espressodrinks,pastriesandpaninis,aswellasanexcellentselectionofmagazines. Owners Chris andAmy Hillyard received a $100,000 BroadwayCorridor loan, aswell as$30,000 in façadeand tenant improvementgrants,totransformtheformerlyvacantspace.Itincludesamezzanineandacommunitymeetingspace.Farley’shashiredsevenemployees.

below: Mosaic tile entry to Farley’s East, a welcome addition to Oakland’s Uptown District.

s

s above: A large lunch crowd can always be found at theever-popular Bakesale Betty at both locations.

Attention smAll business owners

Hold tHe date

when: Friday,May28,2010.8aMto5pM

whAt: theeighthannualSMallBuSineSSSyMpoSiuM

where: theoaklandMarriottCityCenter

why: gettipSonhowtogrowyourBuSineSS,

learniMportanttrendSandMuChMore!


Making neighborhoods greener: parks and gardens get Redevelopment boostThroughoutOakland,theRedevelopmentAgencyishelpingmakeneighborhoodsgreener,bringingparkstoformerindustrialareas,sprucinguprecreationareaswithnewplantingsandevensupportingfarmsandgardensinurbanresidentialareas. Oneoftheboldestinitiativesisaplanunderwaytoturnthe1.5-mile-longstripatthefootoftheeasternspanoftheBayBridge,currentlyusedfortowtrucks,billboardsandothermaintenanceuses,intoapark,onceconstructiononthenewspaniscompletedin2013. TheCityofOaklandisoneofninepublicagencies,includingCalTransandtheEastBayRegionalParkDistrict,involvedintheplanningprocessforthe50-acreGateway Park. Atthefirstpublicworkshop,heldinFebruary,ideasrangedfromtheunusual,asail-inmovietheaterandagiantFerriswheeltothemorepredictabledogrunsandsoccerfields.Anotherideaisatransportationmuseumwithawalking trail linedwithoversizedartifacts suchas the fogbell from theoldCarquinezBridge.OthershaveproposedBurningMan-scaledindustrialart. “Thiscan’tbearegularoldneighborhoodpark,”SarahKuehlofPWPLandscapeArchitecture,whichwill shapedesignconceptswithPerkins+Will, saidat theFebruaryworkshop.Thesite is sandwichedbetweenaworkingportandafreewaythathandles280,000carsonatypicalday. AsecondpublicworkshopisscheduledforMay.PlannershopetooutlineavisionbySeptember.Formoreinformation,visitwww.baybridgegatewaypark.org. NotfarawayinWestOakland,anotherunusualtransformationalreadyhastakenplace. City Slicker Farms has turned several lots into community gardens and farms that grow organicproduceforthediverseneighborhood,especiallylow-incomeresidentswhodon’thaveeasyaccesstohealthyfood.TheorganizationrunsaSaturdayfarmstandon16thStreet,hostsBBQs,helpsplantandmaintainbackyard gardens for low-income residents, and teaches community members about gardening, herbs,composting,cookingandmore. TheRedevelopmentAgencyhassupportedtheseeffortswithNeighborhoodProjectsInitiative(NPI)grantsof$12,300toupgradetwoCitySlickerFarmsfacilities. At the Ralph Bunche Continuation School, funds were used to fix shelving, irrigation and plantingtablesinsideagreenhouse;buildraisedplantingbeds;andreplaceeightplanterboxesandoneseedingtable.AttheCenterStreetFarm,fundshelpedbuildaclassroomseatingarea,repairandupgradeanoven/BBQ,rebuildahenhouseandbeehivetable,andrepairandimproveatoolshed,growingareas,farmstandandfencing. In Chinatown, $335,000 in redevelopment funds have been used to improve the Hall of Pioneers Chinese GardenbetweenAlice,Harrison,SixthandSeventhstreets.Workincludednewirrigationandsod,treesandplants,andconcretepathwaysandparkingaccessibletothedisabled. TheworkhashelpedtoeliminateabarrenopenspaceandmaketheareamoreenjoyableandsafeforthemanyseniorcitizenswhofrequenttheCityfacility.

Just one of City Slicker Farms’ many gardens growing produce for the public.

City Slicker Farms also raises chickens.

Upgrades to Hall of Pioneers Chinese Garden


Beekeeper and assistantat City Slicker Farms


pacs Make a diFFerenceDoyouknowwho’smakingredevelopmentdecisionsinyourneighbor-hood?Doyouhaveideasthatcanimproveyourcommunityandwanttogetinvolved? IfyouliveinoneofthreeOaklandredevelopmentareas–Broadway/MacArthur/SanPablo,WestOaklandorCentralCityEast–youmaywanttocheckouttheProjectAreaCommittee,orPAC. Under California redevelopmentlaw, redevelopment areas that consist ofa majority of residential properties arerequired to form a PAC to meet anddiscuss ongoing and future projects inthe area, providing valuable insight andmaking recommendations to the Rede-velopment Agency and City Council.The PACs also help make decisions onfundingsmall-scale,community-initiatedprojects through the NeighborhoodProjectsInitiativeprogram. PACmembersincludearearesidents,representatives from community orga-nizations,andownersofbusinessesandotherproperties. TolearnmoreaboutyourPAC,readonordropbyoneofitsregularmeetings.

broADWAy/ mAcArTHur/SAN pAblo pAcTheBroadway/MacArthur/SanPabloProjectAreaCommittee(PAC)is continuing its efforts to work together with its neighboring WestOaklandPACinhopesofcreatingseamlessimprovements,suchasthelandscapingofWestMacArthurBoulevard. Recentplanstocreateajointcommunitygardenwerethwartedbyhazardousmaterialsfoundatthesite,butthathasn’tstoppedthedesiretoworktogether,sayschairEdricKwan. Kwan says plans to try to purchase some of the motels onWestMacArthuralsohavebeenputonhold. But the MacArthur BART Transit Village now being plannedpromises to bring much change to the area. This year, developerMacArthurTransitVillageCommunityPartnersisexpectedtomoveforwardwithdesignreviewandapprovalfortheproject’sfirstphase,a

parkinggaragetoprovidereplacementparkingforBART. Kwan says learning about the redevelopment process can helppeopleunderstandthatmajorchangestaketime. “There’s anexpectation fromthepublic tohaveprojectsdeliveredimmediately,andthat’snothowitworks.Therearealotofchecksandbalances,”hesays.PACmeetingscanbeagoodintroduction.

“We consist of a very diverse groupthat reflects many perspectives of thecommunity,” Kwan says. “We listen toeach other and provide that safe venueforus to talkandcollaborateandcomeupwithsolutionsthat,forthemostpart,cansatisfyeveryone.” PAC meetings are held the firstThursday of every other month from 7to9p.m.atBeebeMemorialCathedral,3900TelegraphAvenue.

WEST oAklAND pAc The co-chairs of the West OaklandPACareexcitedaboutseveralinitiativesthataremovingforward. The PAC recently reviewed grantapplicationsfortheNeighborhoodProj-ects Initiative, which allows residents,businessesandorganizationstoapplyfor

small,one-timegrantstomakeneighborhoodimprovements. “Normally, redevelopment projects can take a long time. It’s abureaucratic process,” says Stefanie Parrot, who co-chairs the PACwith Lynn Horiuchi.“This is a way to get redevelopment funds intothe hands of interested parties for more community-based stuff.It’sexciting.” The PAC also is in talks with the Oakland Public Library andOaklandUnifiedSchoolDistrictaboutopeningamuch-neededbranchlibraryintheWestMacArthur/Hooversub-area. Inaddition,communitymemberswerethrilledwiththeadditionofRedevelopmentstaff,includingaplanner,fortheirarea. “We’reabigprojectareawithalotofenthusiasticparticipation,”saysParrot.“Theadditionofstaffwillhelpustakeoffandimplementprojectsthathavealreadybeenapproved.” (continued on page 12)

below: The Broadway/MacArthur/San Pablo PAC in action.

left: PAC members from Central City East andWest Oakland PACs discuss redevelopment issues with the public.

Community and economic development Agency (CedA)250 Frank H. ogawa plaza, #5313oakland, CA 94612Tel: (510) 238-3015

WeB: www.oaklandnet.com www.Business2oakland.com

Thurston encourages area residents and business owners to come to PACmeetings,learnabouttheprocessandmaketheirvoicesheard. “We’re overseeing a good deal of their money. Our annual budget of taxincrement funds is in the neighborhood of $10 million a year,” he says.“Theymay have opinions about what is in the best interest of the community, andwe’dliketohearfromthem.” TwoneighborhoodresidentswhohaverecentlyjoinedthePACareMandelaHigh School students Taytiana Brown and Mi Hua, the student member andalternative. “I decided to become involved because I wanted to make a change anddifference in thecommunity sowhenIgeta fewyearsolder, I can lookaroundandsay,‘Iwasoneofthemanypeoplewhohelpedbringthattothiscommunity,’”saysBrown,16,wholivesintheBrookdaleneighborhood. TheCentralCityEastPACmeetsthefirstMondayofeachmonthat6:30p.m.atPattonUniversity,2433CoolidgeAvenue,intheStudentActivityCenter.


pacs make a diFFeRence(continued from page 11)

The PAC is looking for“opportunity sites” for futuredevelopmentineachofitssub-areas. Parrot encourages the public to come out and learnmore. “Welovethepublictoparticipateinourmeetingsandgiveusfeedback,”shesays. TheWestOaklandPACmeetsthesecondWednesdayof eachmonth from6:30 to9p.m. at theWestOaklandSeniorCenter,1724AdelineStreet.

cENTrAl cITy EAST pAc Nearly everyone has felt the pinch of the sloweconomy, and the Central City East redevelopment areaisnoexception. “In the current environment, we’re hoping to holdonto (the businesses) we have,” says Tom Thurston, whochairs the Central City East PAC.“We had envisioned acontinued ramping up of programs, but everything wasbased on the assumption that property values wouldgo up, and they’ve plummeted. Our funding has taken afairly significant hit, and there are efforts by the state toreachintothepocketsofRedevelopment.” But even in a challenging economic environment,plans continue for major streetscape improvements alongMacArthur Boulevard, Fruitvale Avenue and FoothillBoulevard.UndergroundingofutilitiesonMacArthurisinitsfinalstages,andworkfromsidewalkexpansionstonewstreettreesisexpectedtobecompletedbyfall2011. Smaller projects, including improvements of businessfacadesandassistancetohomeownerstofixupresidences,alsoareunderway,Thurstonsays. The redevelopment area is in its first year of theNeighborhoodProjectsInitiative,andatreeplantingeffortisoneofthefirstrecipients.

gET rEADy For THE SummEr’S HoTTEST EvENT!

Markyourcalendarsforthe10th Annual Art & SoulOakland Festival,comingtoDowntownOaklandon

August 21 and 22.Onceagain,Downtownwillbesizzlingwithmusic,dance,art,foodandfun.

Formoreinformation,checkoutwww.artandsouloakland.com.

Documents

FAcElIFTS AND NEW jobS: FAçADE AND TENANT ......FaceliFts and new jobs (continued from page 1) Tenant improvement grants of up to $45,000 are available in select areas for interior