Council Comment

by Farewell

By Councilmember Dick Spees, District 4

Editor's note: We owe the success of this paper to many, but to no one person more than our retiring District 4 Councilmember, Dick Spees. He gave generous financial help when we were struggling. For years his office provided a monthly column. He and his chief assistant, Jane Becker, sat down with us to work out becoming a 501c3 with a board of directors. A series of competent assistants, Sean Stark, Niccolo DeLuca, and Sean O'Shea, could be counted on for information and courteous service. All of us trying to solve neighborhood problems in cooperation with city officials owe a debt of gratitude to Dick Spees for organizing regular interdepartmental meetings to focus on accountability. And accountable he always has been himself. We are proud to print his farewell and wish him happiness in the next ventures he undertakes.

Dear residents of District 4 and Metro readers,

This January, after nearly 24 years of representing the residents of District 4, I will be retiring from the Oakland City Council. As I step away, I want to thank each of you for your years of support that made it possible to do what I have I truly loved.

Although it is time for me to retire, I will never forget all of the talented and dedicated individuals and groups who have helped to make the MacArthur corridor neighborhoods the vibrant communities we see today, working together through merchant groups, street fairs, neighborhood improvement associations, and Crime Prevention Councils to accomplish our goals.

I well remember the formation of the MacArthur Neighborhood Coalition in 1986, a group of merchants, neighborhood leaders, and active residents that laid the foundation for the community involvement we still see today. At the start, we brainstormed, we walked MacArthur and logged the problems and issues we saw, and we engaged city staff in helping us solve them. Later on, we held the city's first community-driven street cleanup, and we painted out graffiti every week. We started the Metro, still the best neighborhood newsletter, in my opinion! We negotiated with national retailers to make sure their projects were sensitive to our community. We planted street trees, got the utilities placed underground, and installed banners and murals.

Our vision is still alive. I am happy to announce that we expect to break ground next spring on the Laurel Streetscape Improvement project on MacArthur from 35th to High Street. This project has been a seven-year quest, and after many grant applications and letters of community support, we were able corral nearly $2 million in regional and city funding. The final designs are still being formed, but we look forward to sidewalk curb bulb-outs to aid pedestrian safety, additional street furniture, and a coordinated tree planting effort to further beautify the Boulevard.

In the Dimond, I am proud to say that the Safeway store on Fruitvale is nearly complete with their remodel and expansion of services. In addition to receiving a much-needed facelift, the store is adding a deli and a pharmacy and is increasing their fresh-produce selection.

Another of the District's great success stories is the recently completed first phase of the Sausal Creek restoration in Dimond Canyon. Due to the dedication of the Friends of Sausal Creek and the commitment of hundreds of volunteers, a partnership with the city blossomedinto a project that looks great!

One of the more remarkable achievements in District 4 is Courtland Park and Creek, just off Courtland Avenue. With the help of some truly dedicated volunteers, we were able to get the city to partner with the community and not only clean up the creek area, but develop a beautiful green space that the whole neighborhood can enjoy. Also on Courtland, I am happy to report, we will soon be installing curbs and gutters to further improve the appearance and cleanliness of the area.

And one final community success story I'd like to share with you is that of Nicol Park, the pocket park at Coolidge and Nicol, which was created by residents, city, and the nonprofit group Trust for Public Land. What really helps the park to succeed is the sense of ownership the neighborhood has taken with this new children's play area. It is a model that we hope can follow in the Laurel.

While reflecting on a few of the successes achieved in our neighborhoods, let's not forget that the future looks even brighter! In addition to focusing the upcoming streetscape improvements in the Laurel along MacArthur, my final months in office will be spent working hard to complete other projects in the area.

Like many of you, I share the dream of a neighborhood park in the Laurel. So far the city has identified funds for Open Space acquisition, and I hope that working with the community, we can soon identify a location that will serve the community's needs.

Most of you by now have noticed the demolition of the old Laurel Liquors and Roberts Tires property at High Street and MacArthur. I am working with the city's Redevelopment unit to bring in a new tenant to that site as well as to other vacancies along the commercial strip.

Likewise, in the Dimond district, my office will stay on top of the city's business-attraction folks to fill our vacant retail properties. Bringing in an anchor tenant to the old Albertson's location on Fruitvale is a top priority.

We also will work to make sure the Albertson's expansion plans are still on track for their MacArthur location in the Laurel. An upgrade in square footage to become a full-service store, including the addition of a deli and bakery, is something the community should have and enjoy.

Though I'll be leaving office shortly, we still have much to accomplish. I will miss working with all of you, but as excited as I am for my future, I know the future looks great for the Metro area!