Oakland adding population

San Francisco Chronicle/Will Kane, 3/5/14.  "Oakland Mayor Quan unveiling her own 10,000-resident plan. 

Oakland downtown from Lake Merritt 

"Quan, who is facing a tough re-election battle this year, said the city has to act quickly to encourage investment and approve construction projects while young families and singles are still fleeing San Francisco and other expensive areas for the comparatively low rents of Oakland.

Her plan, much like former Mayor Jerry Brown's at the time, is to convince developers - and voters - that the city is functional, efficient and open for business. But her aggressive pursuit of new investment and development concerns community members who worry that city leaders might sell out poor longtime residents. Quan said 15 projects across the city could bring 7,500 new housing units to Oakland.

 The fact that we are finishing up five specific area plans means it is easier and faster for developers to come in and build projects," Quan said. For example, the neighborhood plans would allow developers to pay the city a fee instead of completing arduous parking studies, which can take as long as a year, said Rachel Flynn, Oakland's planning director."  Read article, includes graphic map of "projects on the drawing board".

 Related -  City-data/Oakland.  Note:  photograph from Meetings Quest. "Coming soon:  Oakland, CA." "With its temperate climate, convenient location, and wide selection of venues, Oakland is the perfect place to hold your next meeting or event. The Oakland Convention and Visitors Bureau is dedicated to helping you with all stages of the planning process. The recently renovated Oakland Convention Center is conveniently located in downtown Oakland only ten minutes from the Oakland International Airport. Right outside the doors of the convention center you will find Oakland’s Chinatown, Old Oakland, Preservation Park, shopping and within a few short blocks the waterfront, Jack London Square and the Paramount Theatre."  

Posted by Kathy Meeh