For Immediate Release
March 15, 2001
The Port of Oakland's Commercial Real
Estate Division makes it official today - releasing the RFQ (request
for qualifications) for a master developer for its 60-acre parcel
in the Oak-to-Ninth District.
"On Behalf of the Port of Oakland
Board of Port Commissioners, I am pleased to announce a unique and
exciting waterfront development opportunity. The Port is inviting
highly qualified developers to submit information of their ability
to partner in a Specific Plan process and to design and develop
a first-class mixed-use project on Oakland's largest remaining waterfront
development site," stated Chuck Foster, the Port's Executive
Director.
The 60-acre parcel is centrally located
on the Oakland Estuary minutes from vibrant Jack London Square and
downtown Oakland. It is in the Oak-to-Ninth District, which encompasses
about 120 acres of land. Approximately half of the area is under
Port ownership. The district is presently characterized by warehousing,
manufacturing, distribution, storage, transportation and artistic
activities.
"As we enter the 21st century,
the Port of Oakland is transforming the waterfront, so that it more
closely mirrors the spirit of Oakland," remarked Omar Benjamin,
the Port's Director of Commercial Real Estate (CRE)."We like
to think of the waterfront as Oakland's front yard. Our goal during
the Port's expansion project is to create a waterfront that meets
the needs of Oaklanders and the entire region. Benjamin described
the available location, Oak Street to Ninth Avenue, as "an
extraordinary opportunity for development of a new neighborhood."
The Estuary Policy Plan represents
the policy framework for the transformation of the area from Port-related
industrial uses to a new urban waterfront. The Plan was prepared
jointly by the City and Port with substantial public input and was
adopted into the Oakland General Plan in June 1999.
"One way to strengthen city communities and reduce urban sprawl,
is to restore and recycle underused urban land, which embraces the
goals of the Port's recently adopted Sustainability Policy,"
commented Anne Henny, Senior Project Administrator with the Port's
Commercial Real Estate Division. Henny added, "The Oak-to-Ninth
District with its stunning views and accessible waterfront location,
presents a perfect site to do just that. We are eager to get to
work with one development partner and the people of Oakland to create
another great place to be in the Bay Area."
Contact:
Harold Jones
Communications Director
(510) 627-1564
hjones@portoakland.com
Omar Benjamin
CRE Director
(510) 627-1216
obenjamin@portoakland.com
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