Dimond Neighborhood Newsby Hoang Le Banh |
Lincoln Court Groundbreaking September 1 |
A year ago this month, the infamous Hillcrest Motel was closed for good, and September 1 at noon, groundbreaking takes place for Lincoln Court senior affordable housing. For those who want to lease one of the 81 single-bedroom units, Domus Development should have a frequently-asked questions (FAQ) list available soon. Additional community meetings will be held in the near future. In the meantime, the developer has answers to a few FAQs on the DIA message board (www.dimondnews.org), including the following: The property manager, John Stewart Company (JSCo), will conduct the leasing and manage the property, including processing applications, income certifications, and applicant interviews. JSCo manages many properties in Northern California, so they have standard house rules, a lease template, and management plan that will be shared with the community prior to the lease-up. Rents will vary based on incomes of tenants (seniors age 55 and up); the range is currently estimated to be from $255 to $734 a month. Section-Eight vouchers will be accepted, but Domus has been successful with city, state, and federal financing and will not have to rely on vouchers. Domus anticipates leasing to begin two months prior to completion of the project (as soon as they have a model unit to show). Construction is expected to take 14 months to complete. Altenheim
Citizens' Housing and neighbors met again on August 2 to discuss the final high-priority issues of traffic, parking, and landscaping on Excelsior. The neighbors believe that they reached a good compromise and are pleased that, among other things, Citizens' Housing will pursue plans for an on-site City Carshare station and take part in the city's Senior Shuttle program. The gate at the east end of the garden will also be reopened with passkey access to encourage foot traffic. Creek to Bay Day Is September 18
Every Creek to Bay Day involves Friends of Sausal Creek sprucing up Dimond Park and Dimond Canyon, removing overgrowth and nonnative plants. DIA often joins them in the park and also has volunteers removing litter in the business district. On this year's Creek to Bay Day, September 18, the Dimond Business and Professional Association (better known as the Dimond Merchants Association) will take part as well. Come one, come all! Meet at Dimond Recreation Center at 9 a.m. to sign in and meet neighbors. Then get a little sweaty and be rewarded for a
good morning's work with water, snacks, a Creek to Bay Day T-shirt, and a Dimond T-shirt. Streetscape Planning Meeting on September 22
Almost a year after Caltrans awarded an Environmental Justice (EJ) Planning Grant and the city matched funds for the Fruitvale corridor, meetings facilitated by a consulting firm (CHS) will kick off in October and conclude in a year. With that coming along, DIA's Streetscape Committee is ready to hold a joint meeting with the Business Development Committee as well as Dimond and Fruitvale Gateway merchants to provide updates, work together to achieve short-term streetscape improvement, look towards applying for capital funds after completion of Fruitvale Alive!, and discuss other ideas. Thismeeting will be held, with food served, at 7 p.m., September 22, at Dimond Library. Mondays Are Here Again at Dimond Library
Thanks to voter passage of Measure Q in March, Dimond Library will be open again on Mondays from 12:30 to 8 p.m., starting September 13. Also, Friends of Oakland Public Library (www.fopl.org) awarded the library $600 for animal floor cushions in the children's area. Heart of the Dimond
The "Heart of the Dimond Garden" at MacArthur and Champion saw a handful of wonderful contributors on July 24. Some neighbors brought plants for Gracie the Gardener, while others made monetary contributions to buy other garden materials. Countless other passers-by stopped to marvel at the growing corner garden. Doug Freitas, owner of DAF Car Polishing Systems at the corner and DIA boardmember, teamed with Gracie to beautify the corner. Another neighborhood donor will be helping with installation of a small watering system to render the project
virtually worry-free. Gracie sends a big "thank you to everyone who has helped to carve this little sunshine pocket into a new facet of the Dimond neighborhood!" Farmer Joe's
As many know, Farmer Joe's was unable to open a second store in the Dimond last year because Albertson's still has a lease on the space it vacated three years ago and did not want to sublease to a competitor. The lease will expire this December. In the meantime, Dimond residents continue to show support. Trying to open a store is a huge, expensive effort. Thus, the owners of Farmer Joe's feel reassured and are infinitely grateful for the flood of community support on the DIA message board and the resulting Tribune article. The amiable parties
(Farmer Joe's and the property owners) have many details to hammer out in their continuing negotiations, so we must respect their privacy and have patience as Albertson's gradually fades from the picture. Façade Improvement and Dimond Market
A few more Dimond businesses will be undergoing façade improvement, including 2129 MacArthur. The lease has expired, and a Dimond resident is working on opening a convenience store there. To improve the façade (without city funds), he will remove the gate as well as install new windows and ceramic tiles. He would like to sell coffee, donuts, newspapers, and other items for commuters on their way to work. He would also like to sell basic groceries as well as Mexican food and piñatas absolutely no liquor! He gladly welcomes suggestions for store
offerings and a name for this Dimond market on the DIA message board (www.dimondnews.org/forum). For business and property owners interested in façade-improvement matching funds from the City of Oakland, contact Robert Costa, at rcosta\@oaklandnet.com or 238-6896. Walking Officer
For several months now, our little downtown has been without a walking officer. When it was reported that Officer Frank Morrow was out due to injury, DIA and Dimond Merchants Association circulated a jumbo get-well card for him. It is not certain if and when he will return. During his absence, incidents of graffiti, robberies, and burglaries have increased. One man was arrested for spray painting the Dimond mural and many adjacent storefronts. He was later released with a stay-away order issued. Councilmember Quan's office and the police
department have been receptive to recent e-mails, phone calls, and letters from merchants and residents. Area Lieutenant Eric Breshears reported, "Due to staffing and an unplanned personnel issue, [the walking officer position] is not currently filled. I am hoping this will be remedied soon, but I cannot commit to a specific date. Officers continue to rotate through the Dimond until the position can be permanently filled." Lt. Breshears also takes part in the patrol rotation. Karate and Shakespeare in Dimond Park
On July 24, Sid Campbell, vice president of the merchants' association and owner of the karate studio at 2019 MacArthur, held Karate Day in Dimond Park. Kids and adults alike kicked off their shoes to spar on the lush grass, demonstrating technique and skill to neighbors. The following day brought another treat. Woman's Will, an all-woman theater company, performed Shakespeare's As You Like It, set in 1960s London. If you're interested in their October production of Lord of the Flies in Berkeley, call 420-0813 or visit www.womanswill.org. Dimond History Night and DIA "50th +1" Anniversary
Dimond Improvement Association will be reviving an old tradition by hosting "Dimond History Night" on Thursday, October 14, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., at Bjornson Hall, 2258 MacArthur Blvd. at May Court. If you have photos or other materials to submit for this event, please e-mail Tim Chapman at webmaster\@dimondnews.org. You may also drop off items with Catherine Nichols at Dimond Library. Please also leave your name and phone number with Catherine, particularly if you only have original materials that we can scan or copy and later return to you. You
may also bring the items with you to the event for display and take them home at the end of the night. Also, since we were too busy to celebrate our 50th anniversary last year, we will be celebrating DIA's "50th +1 Anniversary" the same evening. Come celebrate with neighbors! Hoang can be reached at dia\@dimondnews.org, and more news is available at www.dimondnews.org.
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