UPDATE 6/6/14: Read the Better Broadway Coalition’s most recent comment letter on the plan [PDF].
After working tirelessly with fellow advocates and Oakland city staff for more than five years, the Better Broadway Coalition, of which Greenbelt Alliance is a member, has submitted its comment letter for the draft Broadway Valdez District Specific Plan.
The draft plan was released back in late September. Since then, Greenbelt Alliance has been keeping busy to ensure that the plan will revitalize the Broadway Valdez neighborhood. In October, the Better Broadway Coalition organized a successful and vocal turnout to the City of Oakland’s community workshop and two Planning Commission hearings for the draft plan Through these channels, we were able share our vision for a better Broadway with key city staff members. We also participated as a panelist in the League of Women Voters of Oakland forum about the draft plan’s importance within the regional context of Plan Bay Area’s climate goals.
The Broadway Valdez District has incredible potential as a place for new homes, shops, jobs, and active public spaces, and as part of burgeoning downtown Oakland. In order for the revitalization of this neighborhood to be successful, the Better Broadway Coalition sees addressing the following issues in the final plan as critical:
- Viable retail for Oakland’s bottom line
- Homes we can all afford
- Feasible parking policies
- Quality jobs for Oakland residents
- Walkable streets, green building, and greener ways to get around
For more details about our vision, download the Better Broadway Coalition’s comment letter [PDF].
Greenbelt Alliance is looking forward to continuing our work with the City over the next few months to make sure that the final Broadway Valdez District Specific Plan creates great opportunities for Oakland and its residents. If you would like more information or to stay involved, please contact Joel Devalcourt at jdevalcourt@greenbelt.org.
The Better Broadway Coalition comprises Greenbelt Alliance, East Bay Housing Organizations, Sierra Club Northern California Chapter, Walk Oakland Bike Oakland, Valdez Plaza Resident Council, Alameda County Building Trades Council, Westlake Christian Terrace Resident Council, California Nurses Association, TransForm, Urban Habitat, Alameda Labor Council, Asian Pacific Environmental Network, League of Conservation Voters of the East Bay, and Ultra Oakland.
