Now we can move on to solving paving issues, crime, and budget shortfalls.

Actually, we’ve already taken care of all of that. The proposal put forth by the community as an alternative included providing the art and using of existing funding for installation/insurance costs (it does not require any contribution from Forest City). And it has already been vetted by appropriate City staff, who support and would be responsible for implementation of the alternative proposal. Said staff was at the meeting last night, available to answer any logistical questions the Council may have had.

Division: Public Art
Section:
Phone(510): 238-4949
Fax (510): 238-6341
E-Mail: shuss@oaklandnet.com

1) This is the most crucial, I’m sure we can get more time on all other planning issues if we get this. We need to get Forrest City to state, preferably in writing, that they will provide funding by such-and-such a date to support a community project in lieu of their obligation to build a parking lot. This should be a no-brainier for them — they would be committing to something like $100k up-front instead of $400-$500k that they hope to recoup sometime in the future $300k.

Without this commitment for setup and operating funds, though, I do not think council will buy that the project is revenue-neutral (or producing).

Does anyone have contacts at Forrest City?

2) We need to identify a project manager to oversee all of the day-to-day issues such as selecting insurance, ground covering, fencing, art pieces, installation timeline, etc. Maybe this should be run by the city public art staff, or by Dan Dosman’s group, or some nonprofit art collective. I am not sure on the specifics, but someone needs to “own” this.

3) We need to identify some mechanism for city oversight. Amazingly with our ~30 commissions there is not one that should obviously have oversight on such a project but maybe it could be housed under a Planning Commission sub-committee or BPAC.

An RFP for a recreational use operator, i.e. a miniature golf course, is one proposal that meets the criteria that the City spend no money to do something on this site other than a parking lot. Redevelopment Agency staff should not be left off the hook. Have they contacted any miniature golf operators? A simple Google search turn up 17 in the Bay Area. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that an operator could turn a profit in 36 months if they are leased this valuable 1.2 acre piece of land FOR FREE. This option would cost the City virtually nothing.

Furthermore, it is disingenuous for City Council members to state that the City’s Redevelopment Agency cannot afford to contribute any money to a simple public space with grass and trees. Our current budget situation means that the City cannot pour millions of dollars into this space – it does not mean it cannot spend a single dime. It is a matter of the City Council not recognizing the importance of this site to the renaissance of the Uptown area. It is a matter of priorities. In the past five weeks between March 31-May 5, the City Council has voted or is set to vote to approve spending the following Redevelopment Agency and General Funds:

$60,000 grant from City of Oakland to sponsor the annual concert at Arroyo Park and the 3 On 3 basketball tournament.

$100,000 for improvements to Fitzgerald and Union Plaza Parks in West Oakland.

$90,000 to purchase a Zamboni Ice Resurfacing Machine for The Oakland Ice Center (the Ice Center is advocating for the surface parking lot).

$85,000 for rehabilitation of the Defremery House and Tennis Courts at 1651 Adeline Street in West Oakland.

$434,791 in redevelopment funds for staffing, operations, leasing, equipment and marketing for the Oakland Business Assistance Center (funding this business center is completely discretionary) .

$180,000 to provide armed security patrol services in East Oakland.

All travel expenses to be paid from City of Oakland General Fund for Councilmembers Desley Brooks and Larry Reid to attend the International Council Of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Conference in Las Vegas from May 17 – May 21, 2009.

$50,000 for a Professional Services Agreement with Purple Lynx to conduct business surveys.

$15,000 for a Professional Services Agreement with BAWP For the Business Alert Program.

$10,000 grant from City of Oakland to the Cypress Mandela Training Center for purchase of tools and equipment For the Green Jobs For Youth Training Program.

$100,000 grant from City of Oakland to Rebuilding Together Oakland to subsidize the rehabilitatation of homes in East and West Oakland.

Readers: please attend tonight’s City Council hearing at 7:00pm (the more public speakers the better). Whether or not you can attend, please send an email to City Council members expressing your opposition to a surface parking lot on this site. Please include a possible alternative proposal: a no-frills public open space is one idea. Miniature golf is another. Public art or a community garden are also options. Please send them an email ASAP:

RKaplan@oaklandnet. com, JBrunner@oaklandnet .com, PKernighan@oaklandn et.com, NNadel@oaklandnet. com, JQuan@oaklandnet. com, IDeLaFuente@ oaklandnet. com, DBrooks@oaklandnet. com, LReid@oaklandnet. com

I believe that proposing smallish parking lots is the result of being tired and not wanting to expend any creative energy. This goes for staff, FC, and city decisionmakers who are busy worrying about other things. This is a small issue. It does seem that putting out a short-term RFP could make sense too: Obviously we can’t find out if something is feasible if everyone is busy telling us it can’t happen and they won’t allow it etc. etc. Who would do the research under such conditions?

Another art project: I’d like to ask Peter Wang of the someday-56-story-building-on Broadway at 19th if he would consider some kind of art or photos or decorations and LIGHTING in the old manivest bldg. windows, on the corner of Broadway and 19th St. That way we get a lit path to the city-owned 19th/Franklin garage, AND improve a temporary-for-who-knows-how-long eyesore of abandoned display space.

As long as we are doing an arts and entertainment district, let’s have some art!