Today, two out of every three dollars spent by Oakland residents on comparison goods (e.g., clothing, furniture, electronics, etc.) is lost to surrounding communities, resulting in the loss of $1 billion to local economy, $10 million in foregone sales tax revenues, and 10,400 potential jobs. The City of Oakland has selected WRT to prepare a vision and redevelopment strategy for transforming a section of the Broadway corridor just north of the Downtown into new mixed use neighborhood and regional retail destination. As a key implementation recommendation of the citywide Oakland Retail Enhancement Strategy, this Specific Plan will capitalize upon Oakland's opportunities to capture retail tax leakage and build upon existing community assets.
The project is a recipient of the FOCUS grant, a regional incentive-based development and conservation strategy for the Bay Area sponsored by four regional agencies.* In addition to building economic opportunities, the Broadway Retail Specific Plan will seek to offer housing, retail, and transportation choices for all new residents while helping to reduce traffic, protect the environment, and enhance existing neighborhoods.
The Specific Plan will provide a comprehensive set of development regulations and requirements for the area, including the distribution, extent and location of market-ready land uses, urban design and infrastructure standards, and financing mechanisms for public improvements. WRT will conduct an extensive outreach process: a Community Advisory Council, Technical Advisory Committee and numerous Community Workshops will ensure that the shared vision and needs of a comprehensive group of stakeholders will direct the planning process.
The project is scheduled for completion in Spring 2011.
* FOCUS unites the efforts of four regional agencies - the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), and the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) - into a single program that encourages future growth in areas near transit.
