Imagine what better signage, lighting, paving, security, marketing, and maintenance could do for the Jack London District.
The JLDA Land Use and Transportation Committee met on Monday, August 29, to discuss the potential establishment of a Jack London Community Benefits District (JLCBD). Most of the discussion centered on what improvements could arise from a CBD. First, they looked to existing benefits districts around Oakland such as Temescal, Lake Merritt, and Downtown. These neighborhoods have successfully implemented security "ambassadors," graffiti abatement, trash cleanup, district marketing and streetscape beautification. They’ve seen a general rise in safety and a corresponding rise in business investment.
While everyone agreed that safety, maintenance, and marketing would be high priorities for a JLCBD, the meeting went beyond these generics to explore how a CBD could maintain the funky heterogeneity of the neighborhood while continuing to improve it. The discussion centered around freeway underpasses, green space, lighting, business development efforts, and streetscape improvements along major circulation arteries.
Improvements to the freeway underpasses were among the first subjects of discussion. Better lighting, pavement improvements, more active uses, and even murals were mentioned. There was also interest in increased green space in the District. A Webster Street Green, which connects Chinatown to the Waterfront in the form of a long, linear park was one option discussed. There was also talk of better maintaining Estuary Park behind the Jetro building. There was an interesting discussion about street trees: although the knee-jerk reaction to streetscape improvements is to have coordinated and abundant street trees, it was suggested that this might not be appropriate for the Jack London District. Part of the character of the neighborhood is the wide-open sidewalks covered by awnings and street trees may be an unnecessary way of spending money. Instead, that money might be better spent by having coordinated signage, garbage cans, and pedestrian lighting along the sidewalks.
Another focus of debate was the primary circulation arteries in the District: Broadway, Embarcadero, Webster, and Oak. Each street has its own set of issues but there was general agreement that each artery could use better signage and lighting at a minimum. Ornamental crosswalks and sidewalk paving, banners and bike lanes were also mentioned. Broadway could benefit from better median maintenance, Webster could benefit from a linear park, and Embarcadero could benefit from … well, Embarcadero’s list is too long to include here, but it was agreed that a Community Benefits District could go a long way toward rehabilitating all of these “front doors” to the District.
In addition to these physical improvements to the district, the CBD could help with district marketing and business development. It’s long been a goal of the neighborhood to have a grocery store, and the CBD could facilitate this. In fact, one arm of the CBD could be devoted entirely to business recruitment, helping to match empty storefronts to willing businesses. It was even suggested that the CBD could help organize temporary or rotating businesses (political campaigns, cultural events, rotating exhibits, etc.) that help fill empty storefronts and give the district a more vibrant identity.
Look for more news about a potential Jack London Community Benefits District in the coming weeks, including a special Q&A community forum on October 5 at a date in October to be determined.
See meeting minutes for a complete list of improvements and benefits that were discussed.
For an updated list (9/21/11) of potential benefits click here.
This was a busy year for the JLDA. We thank everyone in the District for their continued participation and support. 
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