SUMMER 2009
in this issue
UNDER ONE UMBRELLA
TO SERVE YOU
As the person in charge of all the major departments that play a role in facilitating development in our City, I get a high-level view of the exciting changes going on in Oakland today.
ecause all these departments work together under a single umbrella, we can more easily collaborate to create a united strategy and work toward common goals for sustainable development and a vibrant economy in Oakland. This collaboration also pays off for the business owners, developers and investors who come to us for help.
When I ask CEDA staff, “What have you done for the citizens of Oakland today?” they need to be able to tell me and themselves what they’re doing to move the City of Oakland forward. We always try to keep the big picture goals in mind—so our code compliance
inspectors put neighborhood preservation as
their principal goal, not serving as code cops. Our building inspectors work to help businesses efficiently improve their properties, rather than trying to nail them for doing something wrong. Our redevelopment professionals work on catalyst projects and our planners think creatively for our future. We take pride in our City as we work across departments and together with Oakland’s citizens to improve our economic environment.
Working together to serve you: • Planning and Zoning • Building Services • Economic Development and • Housing and Community Development |
With the new Business Assistance Center opened in July, our collaborative vision becomes even clearer. The center, located at
businesses of all sizes and from any sector, we welcome merchants, commercial and industrial users, investors, developers and real estate managers and brokers. Our goal is to provide answers quickly and refer center visitors to exactly the right resource to meet their needs. Read more on page 5.
We’re delighted with the progress we see in the Oakland community. At our recent Uptown Unveiled event in June, 10,000 people came to take a look at the exciting changes in this evolving neighborhood. Through our participation in the Oakland Partnership and the East Bay Green Technologies Partnership, we’re more focused than ever on bringing new and long-lasting vitality to our economy. Read more about these initiatives on other pages of this newsletter. Despite the recession, Oakland continues to move steadily toward our goal of sustainable development that improves the physical and economic environment of our fine City. We invite you to join us.
Walter Cohen, Director
Community and Economic Development Agency (CEDA)