Economic Development

By Patricia Kernighan

Strengthen our local economy: Promote responsible economic development to create jobs, more goods and services available locally

I believe that responsible and well planned economic development will greatly benefit Oakland citizens. The City needs to do much more to help our existing industries and businesses to grow as well as to attract new businesses that create jobs. Increasing the number of jobs available to Oakland residents is beneficial in many ways, but particularly it is important as a solution to reduce crime. Joblessness is clearly linked to crime levels, and so we must focus on increasing employment. I recently requested that the City undertake a comprehensive study of which industries we can retain for the long-term and what kinds of new businesses we can attract, especially new and "green" technologies. The study will begin soon, and is definitely needed in order for us to have a sound basis for our industrial zoning policy as well as a focus for our business attraction efforts.

I also will continue my effort to attract retail to downtown Oakland. Attracting some larger stores to downtown can serve as an anchor for a collection of smaller locally owned stores, creating the "critical mass" that is needed for retail stores to attract customers and succeed. At my behest, the City has recently contracted with a consulting team (lead by two Oakland-based firms) to develop a comprehensive retail attraction strategy for Oakland. By making more goods available locally, we can keep Oakland dollars circulating in Oakland. Our City also benefits from increased sales taxes that otherwise would go to other cities.

Support for our neighborhood commercial areas is also key. All of the city's planning decisions should promote "walkable" neighborhoods, somewhat like little villages, where housing, stores and transit are clustered, and people can meet most of their daily needs within walking distance. We have several such neighborhoods in District 2, each with their own unique character, such as Chinatown, Lakeshore/Grand Avenues, International Blvd between 5th and 10th Avenues, and E.18th/lower Park Blvd. I am working with the merchants associations in each of the these neighborhoods to increase City support for their success. It is crucial that we keep these neighborhoods safe, clean, and accessible by pedestrians, cyclists, and a reasonable number of drivers.

Oakland has very recently experienced a housing boom. For most of the preceding three decades there has been little investment in Oakland. Our city suffered from a negative perception by outsiders. In the last four years, however, that has turned around and we have seen a great deal of investment by residential builders. Many residential buildings have been built in Jack London Square and downtown. Oakland has been "discovered" by housing developers and we no longer have to woo them here. Since I have been on the Council, there have been no subsidies for new market-rate housing developments, and there is no need for any in the future. The City will, of course, continue to invest substantial sums in building affordable housing, which is greatly needed.

I welcome the new housing and residents to downtown and think their presence will definitely help to bring stores, restaurants and other activities. However, I don't think that more housing is the right thing in every location. We need to make sure that we are reserving enough industrial and commercial area to keep jobs and businesses flourishing. And we want to make sure that any new housing in neighborhoods is appropriately sized and designed for its location.

As a resident and consumer, I love the uniqueness and variety of our neighborhoods and the fact that so many of our businesses are locally-owned. And as your representative on the City Council, I'm proud that this economic activity means jobs, local money re-circulating within our own community, and needed revenues for essential City services.

I am very optimistic about Oakland's future. Downtown Oakland has become a new center for nightlife in the Bay Area. The area of upper Broadway that's now committed to auto sales will be perfect for new retail once those auto dealers move to the new auto mall to be built at the Oakland Army Base. There are many exciting possibilities for a vital downtown, but it will take a strategic effort to make them a reality.

I will continue my strong advocacy to bring more new businesses to Oakland, especially businesses that focus on new environmental technologies. I think an energized local economy can include businesses both large and small, cutting-edge or funky. Oakland is not a cookie-cutter suburb and I don't want it to be. I've lived in Oakland for over 20 years, and I have no intention of sacrificing its character or diversity. But I also know that everyone I talk to wants more places to shop, work, eat and play. If you do too, and want to support a candidate that understands economic development and has a record of encouraging local business, then Vote Pat!