S.-3 21-0036 Approval by the Board of Education of a Long Term Ground Lease with Eagle Environmental Construction & Development (EECD) for Affordable and Workforce Housing, Workforce Development Training Opportunities and Black Cultural Zone Programming at the Former Edward Shands Adult Education Center, located at 2455 Church St, Oakland 94605, a District surplus property.
Thank you OUSD Governing Board for the immediate award of this RFQ to the winning bidder and accomplished developer Eagle Environmental Construction & Development EEC+D.
The OUSD Governing Board selected EEC+D to develop the Shands and Tilden sites to provide affordable housing to our teachers and working poor who cannot afford the high cost of living in Oakland. In good faith, EEC+D agreed to the lease agreement modifications submitted to the Board prior to today’s meeting. EEC+D will reserve 50% of units for Oakland Unified School District workforce/educators, hire Oakland residents men and women of color and ensure non-profits participation in commercial space.
Our Oakland needs more affordable housing. This developer is ready to expedite construction. As an Oakland resident, I am hopeful that there will be no delays to ensure teachers and the working poor have affordable housing options combating the housing insecurity crises that persist throughout and beyond District 2.
I strongly oppose the approval of development of OUSD property by private developers. 65 years is too long of a time to even forecast our district needs. Make sure we're using our resources to benefit our students and not enrich developers!
Please do not move forward with approving the use of OUSD property by private developers. It is an outrage that this has been put up for a vote with such short notice to the community and with zero engagement. There is nothing about this lease that benefits OUSD students or families. Please use the power you have been given by Oakland residents to help us ensure we use our resources to improve outcomes for students and families.
I am extremely opposed to this lease of school district property to a private developer for non-academic purposes. The Oakland community resoundingly rejected the policies of the old school board in this past election. It is unacceptable that the new board is up to similar shenanigans as the old board: the one that was disgraced by the Alameda County Grand Jury. Public land should be used for the public good, not private profit. SHAME on the Board President for putting this on the agenda for a vote without due process and community engagement!
I urge you to vote down the 75-year lease of Edward Shands. Signing this lease will usher in further gentrification of our public property. Also, there has been NO community engagement on this matter in the 72 hours since you publicly posted notice of the vote. Finally, these developers will make MILLIONS on these properties when our young people need us to invest in them. Do the right thing and vote this down. Thank you.
Tilden and Shands leases appear to favor lessees/developer not OUSD. DCG Strategies/real estate consultant and district staff need to provide a clear explanation to Board/OUSD on why these 75 year leases are a good deal for OUSD as written.
The language in both proposals on "best effort" for utilizing these properties is ineffectual with not much recourse for OUSD.
DCG Strategies needs to provide the written presumptions methodology of how they calculated valuations.
1. Leases should be based on what improvements are going to go on site.
2.Must be a valuation of the leases based on proforma that shows cash flow.
3. To do teacher housing/workforce housing on the site, performa needs to look at costs and aspirational rents.
4. If going with traditional affordable housing with bonds and credits - different type of proforma.
DCG Strategies report should show credit-worthiness of the lessee/developer and include portfolio of similar projects to Shands/Tilden.
This is an utter give away of a valuable resource when the District keeps claiming to be broke and needing to cut funds. The 75 year leases at three and four thousand dollars a month - a total of Seven thousand dollars for two major properties that will be developed and generate significant income. There isn't even any increase for inflation and cost of living. I'm not against affordable housing, but NOT AT SUCH A COST TO OUR SCHOOLS. Money raised could significantly impact classrooms if these weren't such give-aways
The State of Black Education in Oakland supports development of affordable housing in partnership with the community like this project, almost everyone in the neighborhood wants it and it you look at who is against it-- it is not community folks from the neighborhood. If Black lives matter, then we need to build housing, train our young people for the jobs of tomorrow and build black businesses. this is exactly what the proposal does. We can all imagine a perfect project, but the perfect should not be the enemy of the good. And this property has stood blighted for a decade, listen to the community and take action, so not let this get derailed in the planning process as community members fretted about during the community meetings-- meetings again that the folks now objecting to this most likely never attended, they certainly have not dialogued with the Black organizations behind the proposal. So please do something for the community-- Public lands for public use like this project.
I support the proposal Eagle Environmental Construction and Development. I live in the east Oakland flatlands. This development project is long overdue. The building have been vacant for almost 10 years. It is a drug den, squalid and an eyesore. It is also used as a dumping ground. In its present state it is hard to see OUSD spending money to upgrade it so that is is usable. Especially when they are closing other school sites. How has it been allowed to sit vacant for so long considering? I'm guessing because it would take so much money to make them usable again. OUSD obviously isn't gong to use this space for teaching and learning. Let it go. Allow something good to grow there. There are other uses for this space. Eagle understands this and is asking us to back them to rebuild our neighborhood. Th and that there will be housing for the teachers, workforce and other public servants. No doubt this is a good thing for deep east Oakland. In unity,
75 year leases are the equivalent of gifts of our public resources. OUSD grants these leases with no guarantees that the housing built will be affordable (or raises the question of affordable to whom). The lease amount should at least increase over time, since the property value will increase and with the development the developer will make millions while OUSD will receive a minimal investment, especially considering inflation over 75 years.
Do not give away public land for private profit. You are the trustees of a public school system and our public land. Once public property leaves the public system it is extremely difficult to return to public hands. This does not set us up for better future, in the near term or long term. Keep public lands in public hands!
As 20+ year resident and homeowner close to the proposed development, I fully support the affordable residential development and Black Cultural Zone programming at the Edward Shands campus. The BCZ is one of the most powerful forces for positive development in East Oakland and will contribute greatly to the neighborhood and the communities in East Oakland espically during the pandemic. This project will help to repair the longtime neglate by OUSD of this site and will bring housing, community resources and commerce along with supporting our legacy Black community which centers Culture and Economys as a tool for education.
I would suggest a more community education and engagement be undertaken lead by local community members as a requirement to avoid such misunderstanding in the future. I believe with greater outreach, information, and transparency, the broader community would better understand the mutual goals of best and highest use between the District and the development team.
As a teacher in OUSD for more than thirty years, I urge you to vote NO on this lease of public property to Eagle Environmental Construction and Development. To essentially give away precious resources in East Oakland's Black and brown communities to enable private profit and gentrification in the name "Black Cultural Zone Programming" is especially offensive! Posting this item just 72 hours before the vote allows no community engagement on this vital decision. It's simply wrong to hand over these resources to developers who will make tens of millions on these properties literally on the backs of young people in Oakland.
I fully support the affordable residential development and Black Cultural Zone programming at the Edward Shands campus. The BCZ is one of the most powerful forces for positive development in East Oakland and will contribute greatly to the neighborhood and the communities in East Oakland.
I strongly oppose these 75-year leases, which amount to a massive transfer of public property to a private developer. As a teacher in East Oakland, I would be *thrilled* to have more affordable housing options for my own family and the families of my students. However, this proposal does not actually guarantee that the units created will be affordable by any definition of the term. Why would a developer forgo the opportunity for greater profits if nothing in the contract specifies what is meant by 'affordable'? The notion that the only options for the site are this plan or continued blight is false. We can and must do better.
I oppose the 75 year lease. This needs tabled until there has been community engagement & an in-person meeting can be held. Even then, I do not think this is the best use of this property. I think we could find a much better offer for this property. Given that it is so close to Eastmont Mall & other commercial businesses, this should be a desirable site.
I am a 3rd generation Black homeowner in the Oakland flats. We must use public land for public good, to mitigate and address racial inequities that result from the legacies of redlining, segregation, and institutional and systemic racism, and this agreement models the way. These 2 lease agreements are with a Black developer, reserves 50% of the units for OUSD employees, prioritize Oakland hires and workforce development, and creates another hub for the Black Cultural Zone. Revenues to OUSD from these properties are a bonus to the social good created. Oakland is in a housing and dislocation crisis and we must take every opportunity to create new housing - especially housing for OUSD employees - and to build on the work of the Black Cultural Zone to create and hold space for Black folks. I urge the OUSD Board to stand with Black folks and support these leases.
This deal constitutes a giveaway of public land for private profit. This deal will undoubtedly fuel further gentrification of East Oakland and continued displacement of its residents and will be harmful to the communities OUSD is supposed to be serving. We can and must do better than these two 75-year leases with EECD.
I am opposed to both the 75 year leases for Tilden CDC and Edward Shands. These leases would constitute a shameful giveaway of our city's valuable assets to private developers.
Oppose! This is basically a giveaway of public land for the gains of a private corporation. The community will likely see no benefit, and has only been given 72 hours notice that the leases are up for a final vote.
Thank you OUSD Governing Board for the immediate award of this RFQ to the winning bidder and accomplished developer Eagle Environmental Construction & Development EEC+D.
The OUSD Governing Board selected EEC+D to develop the Shands and Tilden sites to provide affordable housing to our teachers and working poor who cannot afford the high cost of living in Oakland. In good faith, EEC+D agreed to the lease agreement modifications submitted to the Board prior to today’s meeting. EEC+D will reserve 50% of units for Oakland Unified School District workforce/educators, hire Oakland residents men and women of color and ensure non-profits participation in commercial space.
Our Oakland needs more affordable housing. This developer is ready to expedite construction. As an Oakland resident, I am hopeful that there will be no delays to ensure teachers and the working poor have affordable housing options combating the housing insecurity crises that persist throughout and beyond District 2.
I strongly oppose the approval of development of OUSD property by private developers. 65 years is too long of a time to even forecast our district needs. Make sure we're using our resources to benefit our students and not enrich developers!
Please do not move forward with approving the use of OUSD property by private developers. It is an outrage that this has been put up for a vote with such short notice to the community and with zero engagement. There is nothing about this lease that benefits OUSD students or families. Please use the power you have been given by Oakland residents to help us ensure we use our resources to improve outcomes for students and families.
I am extremely opposed to this lease of school district property to a private developer for non-academic purposes. The Oakland community resoundingly rejected the policies of the old school board in this past election. It is unacceptable that the new board is up to similar shenanigans as the old board: the one that was disgraced by the Alameda County Grand Jury. Public land should be used for the public good, not private profit. SHAME on the Board President for putting this on the agenda for a vote without due process and community engagement!
I urge you to vote down the 75-year lease of Edward Shands. Signing this lease will usher in further gentrification of our public property. Also, there has been NO community engagement on this matter in the 72 hours since you publicly posted notice of the vote. Finally, these developers will make MILLIONS on these properties when our young people need us to invest in them. Do the right thing and vote this down. Thank you.
Tilden and Shands leases appear to favor lessees/developer not OUSD. DCG Strategies/real estate consultant and district staff need to provide a clear explanation to Board/OUSD on why these 75 year leases are a good deal for OUSD as written.
The language in both proposals on "best effort" for utilizing these properties is ineffectual with not much recourse for OUSD.
DCG Strategies needs to provide the written presumptions methodology of how they calculated valuations.
1. Leases should be based on what improvements are going to go on site.
2.Must be a valuation of the leases based on proforma that shows cash flow.
3. To do teacher housing/workforce housing on the site, performa needs to look at costs and aspirational rents.
4. If going with traditional affordable housing with bonds and credits - different type of proforma.
DCG Strategies report should show credit-worthiness of the lessee/developer and include portfolio of similar projects to Shands/Tilden.
This is an utter give away of a valuable resource when the District keeps claiming to be broke and needing to cut funds. The 75 year leases at three and four thousand dollars a month - a total of Seven thousand dollars for two major properties that will be developed and generate significant income. There isn't even any increase for inflation and cost of living. I'm not against affordable housing, but NOT AT SUCH A COST TO OUR SCHOOLS. Money raised could significantly impact classrooms if these weren't such give-aways
The State of Black Education in Oakland supports development of affordable housing in partnership with the community like this project, almost everyone in the neighborhood wants it and it you look at who is against it-- it is not community folks from the neighborhood. If Black lives matter, then we need to build housing, train our young people for the jobs of tomorrow and build black businesses. this is exactly what the proposal does. We can all imagine a perfect project, but the perfect should not be the enemy of the good. And this property has stood blighted for a decade, listen to the community and take action, so not let this get derailed in the planning process as community members fretted about during the community meetings-- meetings again that the folks now objecting to this most likely never attended, they certainly have not dialogued with the Black organizations behind the proposal. So please do something for the community-- Public lands for public use like this project.
I support the proposal Eagle Environmental Construction and Development. I live in the east Oakland flatlands. This development project is long overdue. The building have been vacant for almost 10 years. It is a drug den, squalid and an eyesore. It is also used as a dumping ground. In its present state it is hard to see OUSD spending money to upgrade it so that is is usable. Especially when they are closing other school sites. How has it been allowed to sit vacant for so long considering? I'm guessing because it would take so much money to make them usable again. OUSD obviously isn't gong to use this space for teaching and learning. Let it go. Allow something good to grow there. There are other uses for this space. Eagle understands this and is asking us to back them to rebuild our neighborhood. Th and that there will be housing for the teachers, workforce and other public servants. No doubt this is a good thing for deep east Oakland. In unity,
75 year leases are the equivalent of gifts of our public resources. OUSD grants these leases with no guarantees that the housing built will be affordable (or raises the question of affordable to whom). The lease amount should at least increase over time, since the property value will increase and with the development the developer will make millions while OUSD will receive a minimal investment, especially considering inflation over 75 years.
Do not give away public land for private profit. You are the trustees of a public school system and our public land. Once public property leaves the public system it is extremely difficult to return to public hands. This does not set us up for better future, in the near term or long term. Keep public lands in public hands!
As 20+ year resident and homeowner close to the proposed development, I fully support the affordable residential development and Black Cultural Zone programming at the Edward Shands campus. The BCZ is one of the most powerful forces for positive development in East Oakland and will contribute greatly to the neighborhood and the communities in East Oakland espically during the pandemic. This project will help to repair the longtime neglate by OUSD of this site and will bring housing, community resources and commerce along with supporting our legacy Black community which centers Culture and Economys as a tool for education.
I would suggest a more community education and engagement be undertaken lead by local community members as a requirement to avoid such misunderstanding in the future. I believe with greater outreach, information, and transparency, the broader community would better understand the mutual goals of best and highest use between the District and the development team.
As a teacher in OUSD for more than thirty years, I urge you to vote NO on this lease of public property to Eagle Environmental Construction and Development. To essentially give away precious resources in East Oakland's Black and brown communities to enable private profit and gentrification in the name "Black Cultural Zone Programming" is especially offensive! Posting this item just 72 hours before the vote allows no community engagement on this vital decision. It's simply wrong to hand over these resources to developers who will make tens of millions on these properties literally on the backs of young people in Oakland.
I fully support the affordable residential development and Black Cultural Zone programming at the Edward Shands campus. The BCZ is one of the most powerful forces for positive development in East Oakland and will contribute greatly to the neighborhood and the communities in East Oakland.
I strongly oppose these 75-year leases, which amount to a massive transfer of public property to a private developer. As a teacher in East Oakland, I would be *thrilled* to have more affordable housing options for my own family and the families of my students. However, this proposal does not actually guarantee that the units created will be affordable by any definition of the term. Why would a developer forgo the opportunity for greater profits if nothing in the contract specifies what is meant by 'affordable'? The notion that the only options for the site are this plan or continued blight is false. We can and must do better.
I oppose the 75 year lease. This needs tabled until there has been community engagement & an in-person meeting can be held. Even then, I do not think this is the best use of this property. I think we could find a much better offer for this property. Given that it is so close to Eastmont Mall & other commercial businesses, this should be a desirable site.
I am a 3rd generation Black homeowner in the Oakland flats. We must use public land for public good, to mitigate and address racial inequities that result from the legacies of redlining, segregation, and institutional and systemic racism, and this agreement models the way. These 2 lease agreements are with a Black developer, reserves 50% of the units for OUSD employees, prioritize Oakland hires and workforce development, and creates another hub for the Black Cultural Zone. Revenues to OUSD from these properties are a bonus to the social good created. Oakland is in a housing and dislocation crisis and we must take every opportunity to create new housing - especially housing for OUSD employees - and to build on the work of the Black Cultural Zone to create and hold space for Black folks. I urge the OUSD Board to stand with Black folks and support these leases.
This deal constitutes a giveaway of public land for private profit. This deal will undoubtedly fuel further gentrification of East Oakland and continued displacement of its residents and will be harmful to the communities OUSD is supposed to be serving. We can and must do better than these two 75-year leases with EECD.
I am opposed to both the 75 year leases for Tilden CDC and Edward Shands. These leases would constitute a shameful giveaway of our city's valuable assets to private developers.
Oppose! This is basically a giveaway of public land for the gains of a private corporation. The community will likely see no benefit, and has only been given 72 hours notice that the leases are up for a final vote.