NEWS:

UBA TURNS OUR ATTENTION TO THE VACANT LOT AT “THE RIDGE”:
site utilization survey and report, May 2021

TRC Retail, the holder of a 90 year lease on the “The Ridge” site at Broadway and Pleasant Valley, recently made public three options for development of the long-neglected corner section: 1.) an automobile dealership; 2.) a big box store; 3.) ”drive-thru” restaurants; and possibly 4.) additional retail shops similar to those next to Safeway.


UBA conducted a site utilization survey of nearby residents to gauge support for the three uses TRC proposed, and included space for respondents’ own ideas. All three of TRC’s options were resoundingly rejected: UBA’s survey showed that out of 249 responses, on a scale of 0 to 5, an automobile dealership scored 0.4, a “big box” store scored 1.2, and drive-thru restaurants scored 1.1. Survey respondents’ own suggestions included such uses as local (i.e., not large chain) shops, parks, recreation, and housing.

At the follow up meeting with TRC, UBA presented survey results which did not favor their options but rather some mix of commercial and housing. Furthermore, code and/or conditional use permit restrictions would probably hamper development of the three options they proposed. TRC acknowledged these. Although UBA has stated its strong support for residential construction at this site, TRC reiterated that their lease does not permit residential use of this property.

We advised City Councilmember Dan Kalb of our meetings with TRC and of our survey results. He agrees that residential use is a priority, and will do what he can to seek a change in the lease.

UBA also contacted PANIL as both neighborhood groups have shared concerns: traffic, congestion, blight, and the future development of this corner property. PANIL then conducted their own survey and reported much the same data as UBA’s. Survey results for The Ridge site utilization are combined here.

UBA informed the Oakland Planning Commission of neighbors’ concerns about the future development of this key site in the hopes of garnering City support for residential construction. It is clear that this entire area at a main anchor point in the geography of Oakland urgently needs a carefully considered area plan that will preserve neighborhood character while managing development and the increased density that we know is coming. City Planning has informed us that this site is on their list of areas to address, but there are no immediate plans to do so.

Meanwhile, the community is asking for the blighted lot to be cleaned up and the fencing replaced. It has stood empty for more than 5 years.