$29 Million in federal
stimulus Dollars drives
new opportunities
ondering how federal stimulus funding might affect the City of Oakland? City staffers have aggressively pursued grant opportunities, and to date the City has received over $29 million in committed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds intended to turn the tide of the economic crisis. “This is an unprecedented moment in America and I am confident that Oakland will receive the financial resources it needs,” said Mayor Ron Dellums.
Watch for improvements in these areas:
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Workforce development through targeted training and transitional employment programs |
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Green industry job training programs through the East Bay Green Corridor |
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Public Safety |
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Energy efficiency and reduction of energy use and fossil fuel emissions |
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Homelessness prevention and re-housing services |
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Street resurfacing, curb cuts and sidewalk damage repairs |
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Clean-up of contaminated industrial properties known as brownfields and other contaminated properties. |
The City has also submitted 14 competitive grant applications totaling an additional $95 million, with more applications expected to follow. City officials intend to consolidate the stimulus funding streams so they can best address the connections between public safety, the environment, jobs and economic development. They also aim to build on existing initiatives to solve community problems, and incorporate plans to sustain the programs after the stimulus funding ends.
Oakland has also participated in regional efforts to secure stimulus funding through the State of California. In April 2009, the City of Oakland submitted 17 proposals for the Bay Area Economic Recovery Workplan, which coordinates the region’s response to federal stimulus funding opportunities.
To stay informed, visit oaklandstimulus.com, the new website launched by the City to give Oaklanders a chance to track stimulus efforts, grants and opportunities for businesses and residents.
roperty owners in the Downtown Oakland and Lake Merritt/Uptown areas want what’s best for their districts—and they’re willing to invest to make it happen. Last year property owners voted by a margin of 8 to 1 to support a voluntary property tax assessment to fund two new Community Benefit Districts (CBDs) to provide the amenities one might expect in a city with a superb location, stunning architecture and natural beauty.
The Downtown Oakland CBD is comprised of 19 blocks and is projected to generate an annual assessment of approximately $904,000. The Lake Merritt/Uptown CBD is comprised of 37 blocks and is projected to generate an annual assessment of approximately $1.1 million. These two new CBDs, plus the seven already operating throughout Oakland, generate over $3.2 million to fund special services not covered by existing government resources.
What does this mean for people who live, work or visit Oakland’s downtown, Uptown or Lake Merritt districts? The newest CBDs fund special services such as:
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Exciting new programs and events to introduce enhancements in the two districts, such as the June 2009 Uptown Unveiled event (see page 4) |
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New, dynamic and attractive public spaces that attract property owners, businesses, employees, residents and visitors alike to the area |
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Supplemental security services through an excellent ambassador program operating seven days per week |
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New landscaping services, sidewalk maintenance and removal of abandoned news racks, parking meters and graffiti |
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Secure corridors to and from BART stations, particularly during rush hour periods. |
"Once people become used to this higher level of services, it raises the bar for businesses in the Downtown and Lake Merritt areas and opens up an entirely new chapter of entrepreneurial activity and commerce for the City as a whole,” said Marco Li Mandri, Executive Director of the Downtown Oakland and Lake Merritt/Uptown District Associations.
“Our working relationship with the City of Oakland has never been better and people have begun to see the results of that cooperation as the districts’ work evolves,” Li Mandri said. For more information on the two latest CBDs, visit downtownoakland.org and lakemerritt-uptown.org.
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