Designs to unite residents

…the more we can create sociable environments for communities coming together, the better social environment we're going to have.

For Jeffrey Miller, landscape architecture is more than just plants, waterfalls and decorative rocks. For Miller, the founder of San Francisco's Miller Company Landscape Architects, it's about uniting living spaces and bringing people together.

"My impetus to be a landscape architect came out of a question - how to design social and public space so that there were better relationships between people," he said. "It wasn't a nature-based beginning, it came from more of a sociological perspective."

Take Pacific Cannery Lofts, for example. The development, which is built around an old cannery warehouse, has a dining room entry court and a living room courtyard with two large U-shaped seating arrangements. A linear garden grove runs between the condo units in the cannery building and the three-story townhouses that were built just to its east.

"That grove is sort of a garden street extension of Pine Street into the project," said Kevin Wilcock, a partner with David Baker + Partners architects, which designed Pacific Cannery Lofts. "The units are accessed off of that grove, and people hang out on the raised porches there, and its setup really encourages interaction and circulation throughout the complex."

"I think landscape architecture is just as important as good architecture as far as I'm concerned, especially here in California," said Rick Holliday, founder and president of Holliday Development, which has worked on a handful of projects with Miller over the last two decades. "You know, if we were in Manhattan, it probably wouldn't matter; you'd just have put some plants in hallways. But here, you really want the outside to come inside and the inside to come outside. People want to have a relationship with the outside in Northern California, and doing that well is critical to doing good infill housing." [Complete Story]

It's a new year in the Prescott-Oakland Point neighborhood

I discovered the Armchair Abecedarian blog the other day and read this amazing story of "Why I Love Oakland", check it out!

And in case you have not been keeping up, here are some recent stories found at the POPna site:

We draw the lines (California Redistricting)

A Target Store is coming...Really!

Pope Benedict XVI embraces Tweeter...

The rush to aid Haiti events, fundraiser

Is the weather getting you down?

Shhh... The City of Oakland website is in BETA

There are a number of ways to follow the POPna site and stay informed about the happenings in the Prescott-Oakland Point Neighborhood. Here are just a few sites that provide a link to POPna:

A Better Oakland: V Smoothe’s personal commentary on Oakland’s progress under”Oakland Place Blogs”

Oakland Local is an independent, non-profit community news and information hub, connecting community and news.

Bay News Network: a directory and aggregator of 101 blogs and hyperlocal sites focusing on the Bay Area and surrounding environs.

Fwix: a local news site designed to show you the most recent and relevant information in your area.

Placeblog: a blog about the lived experience of a place.

Outside.In: is the leading hyperlocal content and advertising platform.

Oaklander Online: Glenview neighborhood blog.

Our Oakland: independent blog

Future Oakland: blog comments from the perspective of a real estate and marketing consultant about Oakland.

Just to name a few!

WHO LIVES HERE?....Alena Schabes and Michael Forcier

If relationships were a board game, Alena and Michael have mastered chutes and ladders and are now passing "GO", and all in their early thirties. As someone with experience (Rick and I have been together since LBJ was president...don't laugh!) these two are in for the long hall. They both agree that they keep each other balanced as they are still learning new things about each other including their differences. Alena is the driven one keeping Michael on his forward path and Michael is the calm one helping Alena put things into perspective as her ambition ramps her up. Planning a wedding in May their relationship began as students at the University of Wisconsin where they both studied psychology. They moved to the bay area when Alena got into graduate school at the California School of Professional Psychology in Alameda where she eventually earned her doctorate in clinical psych specializing in family therapy. They settled in Emeryville with their two shelter dogs, Poe and Twain, two terrier mixes that look like something straight out of a Dr. Seuss book...check out the picture. Michael, who also has a background in sociology, began working in a variety of positions with special needs kids including those with autism and behavioral problems, but eventually went back to school in real estate and has almost completed the program. But Michael's real passion is writing and he is working on a number of reality based fiction novels and dreams of locking himself is a cabin away from the TV, internet and the world where he can just concentrate on his manuscripts the way Michael Creighton does. Alena, upon completing her schooling, and waiting 7 long months due to changes in licensing, first worked a couple of part time jobs working with adults, couples and families and then she landed a great full time job with Kaiser in Antioch. So now they are getting married, done with school, gainfully employed and the next step is buying a home. At first they looked at over 30 detached houses but the extra ("baby") room started to freak Michael out and they turned their search to condos. Don't get me wrong...they are definitely talking kids but not right now. "Lets just be thirty!" is how they put it. Michael found PCL on craigslist and went over to talk to Gail. His adoration of lofts from the movies kicked in and he went home to talk to the "boss". Alena, being a New Yorker, got it right away and they decided to buy the last grove loft. They love the industrial feel, concrete beam and outside space for the dogs. Alena is quite the decorator and the home is full of her touches from remotely controlled blackout window coverings that she can operate while in bed to twigs gracing and individualizing the railing around her patio. When I asked about their initial feelings about the neighborhood the general response was that it was no bigge. From Alena's earlier work in Oakland with kids she was very familiar with the area and its culutre and didn't have to think twice about moving into the community. They both love the fact that families are moving in next door at Ironhorse and that they see kids in the neighborhood but are glad to have their quiet sanctuary on the grove where they have gotten to know their adult neighbors. They are both taking advantage of the great restaurants in the area including Le Cheval, Brown Sugar Kitchen, Miyozen and Kao Sarn Thai to name afew. Both Alena and Michael are looking forward to meeting more PCL residents and have attended most PCL events. The decorator in Alena wants to see more open homes! So great talking to you both....two sparkplugs for sure!

Are you an Entrepreneur? (updated)

Glancing through my latest copy of Inc. magazine I found two articles of interest I thought I might share by Meg Cadoux Hirshberg who writes a regular column about the impact of entrepreneurial businesses on families for Inc. magazine.

Inc. magazine is a great resource for the entrepreneurial souls providing information and advice covering virtually every business and management task, including marketing, sales, finding capital, managing people, and much, much more. They have a website, Inc.com.

Here are excerpts of those two articles written by Meg Cadoux Hirshberg.

Balancing Acts: If Not Now, When?

For entrepreneurs, there's never a right time to buy a house, start a family, have a life. While you are building a business, work-life balance inevitably suffers.

The reality is that when you are entangled in an entrepreneurial life, there's never a right time -- for anything.

There's no right time, because there's no time (and usually no money, either).

An entrepreneurial life becomes all about postponing -- "When we break even…," "When we get that contract…," "When we hire that salesperson…" -- ah, yes, that's when our lives can move ahead.

The fact is that while you are building (and building, and building, and sometimes rebuilding) a business, you are also composing a life.

Theoretically, entrepreneurs control their lives and schedules. But the exact opposite is usually true:

• Entrepreneurs are whipsawed by their businesses.
• There is a constant sense of crisis, and every aspect of running a business demands more time than there are hours in a day.
• If the entrepreneur doesn't build a high wall around his or her personal life, the business is sure to overwhelm it. [More]

Bed and Boardroom

There's nothing like a home-based business for increasing family stress.

The moment you create a business, you step into a twilight zone where the barrier between what is work and what is not starts to break down. The deterioration accelerates for entrepreneurs who work out of their homes. You may start off with a home-based business but soon find yourself with a business where you and your family also happen to live.

Privacy isn't the only issue. In homes shared with companies, living space may be drastically reduced by the demands of workspace and inventory storage. [More]

The City of Oakland has opened an assistance center dedicated to small businesses almost 6 months ago. Their goal is to assist regular people start maintain or move your business by providing help navigating the City’s permitting, zoning, business tax and license departments along with business counseling and outreach resources.

Check out the Oakland Business Assistance Center and the latest issue of the Redeveloping Oakland Newsletter which features many of the non-profit organizations that partner with Redevelopment to implement a variety of projects and programs ranging from workforce development to real estate development.

Do you need help, deciding what business you would like to be in? Check out these organizations that provide consulting, workshops, or long-term classes (multi-week curriculum) and other information to help you.

Also, the first issue of the East Bay Express Small Business Monthly is due out Jan. 27th, as mo a insert in the Express on the last Wednesday of every month.

This marks a 2010 launch of the Small Business Monthly focus on local reporting of small business issues in our region covering wide range of topics including advertising opportunities.

Let’s not forget the IRS folks, check out their small business resources, here.

For more articles and neigborhood news, go to the POPna site.

Who Lives Here? ........Nick Garcia

The Alameda School District had a half day yesterday so I was able to sit and chat with Nick Garcia, one of their speech pathologists and PCL resident since September. At his job Nick assesses and works with kids with a variety of issues effecting their speech including physical, cognitive and motor issues in addition to autism and deafness. He has always wanted to work with kids starting a major in child psychology at Cal State Northridge. This was interrupted abruptly when he was a bit "shook up" living two blocks from the epicenter of the Northridge Earthquake when it hit. Moving to the bay area he completed his schooling by starting over again at Sacramento state in speech pathology which was well worth the extra time in school. Throughout our conversation it was clear that Nick's experiences with these special kids gives him a very compassionate and open perspective on others and life in general. Settling in the east bay where his once long term partner lived, he at one point contemplated buying a house in Martinez. But his social life often took him to SF and his dating life took him to the Lake Merritt area where he began to discover Oakland. A friend of his had recently moved into Zephyr Gate and told him about the Central Station development. Now in a courtyard loft, Nick at one point considered a unit with an open loft, but opted for the more private separate upstairs space. The access to the outside was also a plus. His closing was not fun but both he and HD are glad he stuck it out! Nicks reaction to the neighborhood was similar to that of others.....cautious and warming as he got to know the area, learned more about the neighbors and spent time in West Oakland. Pleased with the insta-access to the freeway he loves the city but also goes to the Lake Merritt area everyday for a workout at Gold's gym(evident by his fit physique) and to load up on groceries at Trader Joes. Nick loves to cook. His home is immaculate and organized with a carefully thought out color scheme of grey blues and muted greens accented with eggplant curtains on black rods. Quite stunning. The living room is dominated by a chocolate brown leather sofa against the soft blue wall. Very nice. Everything is so neat at Nicks...except for the haphazardly painted beam up in the bedroom. I just cracked up when Nick said he got tired of painting. Most people would paint a beam from one end to the other but this beam (check out the picture) looked like it had been painted by a couple of Nick's kids. I loved it! Nick assures me he will finish the job but I say leave it as is! So much personality! Nick also owns a black and burgundy 1988 Citroen 2CV6 car, a beloved treasure from his time spent in France. Although he drove it for a couple of years it is now in pieces as he and his partner are rebuilding it. Hopefully we will eventually see it in the PCL garage....just another unique piece at the Cannery! Nick...thanks for sharing your story and welcome to the PCL community.

Oakland Running Festival Update

Previously, I posted “Oakland Running Festival in the Prescott-Oakland Point." You may remember I stated the race will enter the Prescott Oakland Point neighborhood from Mandela Parkway and 7th street up Mandela Parkway to West Grand then veer right up Peralta before turning on 26th Street.

The latest information on the March 27th-28th, 2010 Inaugural Oakland Running Festival is it has surpassed a total of 2,500 runners representing 33% of the anticipated final (limited) registration.

For more information about this event and others, go to POPna.

WHO LIVES HERE? Zach Warner and Tyler Nielson

For the longest time I thought that ZACHANDTYLER was just one word, but the other day I finally got to sit down with these TWO young men and hear each one of their stories. I have been hearing their names for so long because they were acquainted with PCL by one of our marketing consultants in the very early stages and were able to watch the project during construction. With all units available at the time stage they considered many locations but landed in the end grove unit and are elated!

Both men grew up in Utah, Zach in Ogden and Tyler in Richfield, both very rural settings. Tyler's family ran a dairy farm with over 500 cows! Not far away is Promontory Point, where on May 10, 1869, there was a grand celebration as the Union Pacific's No. 119 and the Central Pacific's Jupiter touched cowcatchers to complete the transcontinental railroad. Z+T who are very familiar with railroad history are now thrilled to be near the Oakland Train Station at the end of the transcontinental line.
Zach’s grandfather was a physician and at one point Zach thought about following in his footsteps. His degree in zoology from Weber State University lead him to various jobs in a hospital in Salt Lake but his creative side keep rearing its head. He moved into the area of marketing and sales at the hospital and felt like this was the direction of his passion.
In the meantime Tyler had connected with a childhood acquaintance who set Tyler up selling Vitamix blenders. (check out www.vitamix.com). He was a natural salesman and soon was travelling between Utah and the Bay Area for the company. On one of his stints back in Utah he and Zach met and have been together ever since. Having both been on Mormon missions, Zach to Argentina and Tyler to Denver, they began sharing thoughts and experiences including some of the lifestyle challenges of growing up Mormon in Utah leading the two of them to move to San Francisco where there was more diversity and acceptance. Here they both work selling Vitamix blenders at Costco and were able to swing moving to PCL and establishing a home of their own. Their expression of self and creativity is evident in their loft accented with colorful walls, well thought out, wisely purchased furniture and a very healthy and nutritionally sound lifestyle. As a former exercise physiologist I am very interested in good nutrition. It was so much fun to talk about what healthy meals can be blended up in one of the Vitamix Blenders. Tyler threw in couple of strawberries, stem and all, some juice, soy powder and ice and in a matter of seconds I had a delicious healthy scoop of sorbet that rivaled the sorbet served by Scream at the party last week.

Now legally married the word for them is smitten. Smitten with the bay area, smitten with the abundance of fresh local produce, smitten with their new home and neighbors and smitten with each other. Z +T...welcome to the Central Station community and thanks for the sorbet. I will be by to pick up my blender. (yes....I bought one:)

Holliday Holiday Wishes for You!

First of all let me tell you how crazy making this time of year is for all of us at Holliday Development. For 11 months of the year we have to keep reminding people that there are two "L"s in our name (HOLLIDAY DEVELOPMEMT) and then the month of December comes and messes with our minds:)

Enough of that nonsense as the purpose of this blog is to wish all of you now living at Pacific Cannery Lofts the best in your new homes! We have so enjoyed getting to know you, watching you get to know each other and hearing your stories for the blog.(the blog will be continued in 2010 so if you are interested in being interviewed please let us know) Here is lifting our glasses to you in congratulations and wishing you happy holidays and good times in the new year.

It is my understanding that you had a smashing holiday party. In case you were wondering what HD did to celebrate check out the image. Our tradition is to draw names and then purchase a toy that reminds you of the person you drew. We got some good ones this year. KB got a sock monkey because it had red hair like his, Thomas got a toy porsche because he just finished a 25 hour car race and Cheryl got a toy tow truck because she had a little fender bender recently. At the end of the evening all toys are donated to Toys for Tots.

Happy Holidays from all of us at HD!

Don't forget to EXHALE then RESET!

A new year, another beginning...

During this holiday period, there will be times where you should take some time and decompress.

This year has been particularly challenging for everyone, for a myriad of reasons.

As you ponder next year’s journey, you’ll probably make some new, modify some old and simply write-off promises and resolutions as you do every year about this time.

Before you start the year as you do every year, sit back relax, unwind and check out the articles, news and events on some of a few Oakland’s blogs:

As you go forward in 2010, remember, every problem is an opportunity in disguise.

An example: Benjamin Franklin, constantly switched between two pairs of eye glasses for his varying sight needs, in 1784, Benjamin decided to graft two different prescriptions (at the time, two lenses) into one frame, allowing him to see far or near distances.

The bifocal lens is born.

(POPna cross-post)

Happy Holidays Central Station

from the Prescott-Oakland Point Neighborhood Area!

Shopping Late? Parked in the dark?

Attention West Oakland BART patrons:

Get an escort to your car!

On Thursday, December 17th and Friday, 18th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. the Oakland Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (CPAAA) will escort you to your car.

On an average weekday, there are 4,800 riders exiting the West Oakland BART Station. Now that the sunsets around 5:00 p.m. and BART has reduced the number of on-site parking spaces due to the Earthquake safety work currently underway, BART patrons are parking further away.

The CPAAA working in collaboration with the Oakland Police Department (OPD) and BART Police Department (BART PD) have developed a program which will increase the number of OPD officers and BART PD officers in the West Oakland BART area this Thursday and Friday.

There will be an OPD van taking BART patrons to the perimeter parking lots as well as OPD officers on foot patrol, escorting BART patrons side-by-side with volunteers from the CPAAA.

AC Transit features a “Commuter Appreciation Day” in partnership with 106.1 KMEL on Thursday, December 10 at 14th & Broadway in downtown Oakland from 7:30-9:00 a.m. The first 200 people to show up at the booth will receive a free TransLink card with $5. They will also be handing out bags of freebies, TransLink pens, and t-shirts, while supplies last, "to thank you for taking public transportation."

Yea, Okay. I thought it was just a good marketing promotion. Whatever it is "I'll take it!"

Speaking of AC Transit, get in sync with your bus by using “NextBus“ to get real-time bus arrival information on your cell phone, computer, and at select bus stops. I am told all buses are equipped with GPS and most have the GPS activated.

Also remember to attend the AC Transit Board of Directors meeting and speak in favor of the adoption of the Revised Service Adjustments Plan on December 16th 6:00 p.m. at 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland. More information and why this item is important can be found on the POPna site.

On Dec. 2nd I submitted the following comments by email to Directors Greg Harper, Christian Peeples, Joel Young and planning department for consideration:

“In regards to the Proposed Line 26 changes, specifically the routing from 7th street and 14th & Wood Street, I am pleased that the change in route and time during peak hours will reach a previously underserved group of residents both long and short term residency, young and mature.”

“However, I would suggest since so much work has been done to mitigate the air pollutants in our neighborhood by regulatory agencies, Port of Oakland and private developments, that alternate fuel vehicles equipped with GPS are used to serve line 26. GPS will benefit our children going to and from school, parents going to work and shop as well as our more mature residents’ seeking services they need. Oaklanders in general appear more and more concern regarding public safety and GPS will not only aid public safety issues but promote increase in ridership, ensure connectivity and timeliness in reaching our destinations.”

Ø Ø Ø

Switching topics (somewhat) BART is currently looking for a new police chief and need the community help to gather input on the recruitment and selection process. They have launched a nationwide search to bring new leadership to its Police Department.

What are your thoughts and opinions on a) the issues, challenges and opportunities facing the new Chief ? and b) the background, experience and characteristics the new Chief should possess?

You can either take the on-line survey at http://www.bart.gov/policechief or provide your input at the public forum on Thursday, December 17th at 6:00 p.m. at the Joseph P. Bort MetroCenter Auditorium , 101 8th Street, Oakland (across from the Lake Merritt BART Station).

Other news: BART and Southwest Airlines are giving away one hundred free trips to anywhere Southwest flies! Click here for the Sweepstake.

BART has announced plans to extend hours, run special service New Year's Eve, for more information, click here.

Find "Oakland Grown" Business HERE

Oakland Grown is a movement celebrating and supporting Oakand's locally-owned, independent businesses and artists. It's about making your hard-earned money go further here at home, creating a sustainable economy, and helping to preserve the unique Oakland you love.

Individuals, businesses, artists and organizations can all join the movement. Step out of the box. Be Oakland Grown. Learn More

Oakland Grown is A Program of the Oakland Merchants' Leadership Forum.

Inspired by similar efforts around the country, Oakland Grown is a group of local business owners, artists, and engaged citizens committed to strengthening Oakland's local economy, social well being, and unique sense of place.

Oakland Grown Blog

News, muse, and more on the localization movement - your window into how we can all change the world.

Read the Oakland Grown Blog

EBBC's Velo Wonderland: Bike & Art Party

You are invited to the East Bay Bicycle Coalition's holiday event,

"Velo Wonderland: Bike and Art Party".

Date: Friday, December 4, 2009 - 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Admission is free, and everyone is welcome - bring a friend!

Uptown Body & Fender

401 26th Street, Oakland

We've had a fantastic year, and it's time to celebrate with our fellow cyclists. The party takes place the same night as Oakland 's First Fridays art walk, Art Murmur, and we'll have bicycle-themed and recycled art curated by local artist Margo Rivera-Weiss. Enjoy snacks from Spice Monkey and beer from Linden Street Brewery. DJ Olga T will be spinning music all night long.

They will have a pedi-cab on hand, so you can take a ride in style to nearby Art Murmur galleries.

To read more

Pedi-cab services will be available.

Oakland currently has two pedicab services:

Oaksterdam Bike Rental, 410 15th St. , 510-290-1883 and

Backseat Beta: 557-9150 or bakseet.com backseatcab.com backseatcabs.com

Every 15 minutes...

That’s what AC Transit is telling us.

According to a presentation a couple of weeks ago, AC Transit presented information on the Bus Route 26 changes that could have you at the West Oakland BART station from 12th and Wood Street or arrive at 12th and Wood Street from the West Oakland BART station in less than 5 minutes, every 15 minutes during peak hours and 30 minutes during off peak from 5:00 am to 12 Midnight.

At that same presentation, AC Transit shared information on the Bus Route 31 that would provide trips to the Emerybay Public Market for dining, Bay Street Emeryville, Powell Street Shopping Center in Emeryville, East Bay Bridge Shopping Center, and IKEA for shopping in less than 10 minutes from 12th and Peralta Street which is 3 blocks southeast from Wood Street.

Come out to the Community Open House to learn more about this revised plan and talk with AC Transit planners tomorrow Tuesday, December 1st 2009 at 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Comments on the revisions will be accepted through December 2nd.

Those comments will be accepted in the following form of communication:

• Board of Directors:
  o Greg Harper (Ward 2) gharper@actransit.org
  o Joel b. Young (Director / At-Large) jyoung@actransit.org
  o Christian Peeples (vice President / At-Large) cpeeples@actransit.org


• By online comment form


• In person at the community open house on December 1st


• By email to planning@actransit.org


• By mail to the AC Transit Board of Directors, 1600 Franklin Street, Oakland, CA 94612


• By fax to (510) 891-4874
  

The Board of Directors is expected to adopt the Revised Service Adjustments Plan at its December 16th meeting.

For more information and updates, keep checking the POPna site or AC Transit blog

Who Lives Here? Lydia Hemphill

Lydia Hemphill is a local girl growing up in Kensington where she attended El Cerrito High School and then on to UC Berkeley where she majored in integrative biology. You now can find her in her lab coat hovering over pipettes full of molecules that she has produced for in vivo, in vitro and toxicity studies. Her work at Genentech as a research assistant takes her to South San Francisco daily so she is very pleased with the convenient freeway access at PCL. Her true biological love is anatomy, physiology and evolutionary biology and her dream job would be to work at the Academy of Sciences in the city. Before putting on her lab coat in the morning, Lydia jumps into the pool and swims for 45 minutes covering more than a mile in the water. We talked about the peacefulness of swimming, the thinking time that it provides and the soothing sounds of ones own breathing and heart beat. What a great way to start the day. Spending a year abroad in Madrid Spain during college is only a fraction of her world travel. She has been to India, Nepal, China to see her grandmothers village, and Thailand. Before moving to the Cannery, Lydia's home was a rental in Emeryville. When she started looking for a home to purchase she looked at everything in her price range including foreclosures but was uninspired. It was her boyfriend who spotted PCL from the freeway and encouraged her to take a look. She loved the building right away and began working her way through the different units. Of course the neighborhood was an initial concern but now she is very comfortable in her signature loft that faces the port. She didn't really think about her door to the outside being an assset at the time of purchase but now that she is thinking about getting a dog she is glad to have the direct access to the outside. She assures me that her dog will be a big dog like a lab or malamute. Because of her busy work schedule she hasn't met a lot of the new residents but says that the ones she is beginning to meet are very nice. Lydia attended last months block party and met some new folks there but says the best way to meet someone is through their dogs. Upon entering Lydia's signature loft, I was struck by the beautiful saturated colors on the walls. (check out the photograph) For a house warming gift Lydia's parents gave her a session with a colorist who chose rose, burnt orange and even some green for the walls. For fun and relaxation, Lydia plays the trumpet in a 60 person symphonic band (that includes her dad on trombone) called West County Wind sponsored by Contra Costa College. You can catch the performances at the performance hall on campus. Monday night practices are a weekly highlight for Lydia. So if you hear a sweet trumpet sound wafting from the port side of PCL you can bet that it is coming from the Hemphill House. Welcome to PCL Lydia and let us know when you get your dog!

Gentle Side of Chip Johnson

As a guest writer for the PCL blog, I thought this might be a topic of interest.

A recent article by Chip Johnson (not related) of the SF Chronicle, titled “West Oakland may be on verge of positive change“ was focused on the Central Station development. Chip visited the previous week during a community party event held within the courtyard of the current residential developments of Pacific Cannery Lofts (PCL), Ironhorse and Zephyr Gate in Central Station.

Before I begin, let me say although Chip and I are not related, we are of the same mindset, sharing same life experiences, ideas and values. I am comfortable saying that I consider Chip as part of my extended family, until proven wrong by some DNA testing.

In Chip’s article, he notes “a West Oakland neighborhood long known by locals as the Lower Bottom Neighborhood.” Reading this, I think this may need further explanation. First I do not believe all locals (as this statement implies) use or call their Prescott Oakland-Point neighborhood the “Lower Bottom” which may have luster, in my opinion seems generational and not linked or designated by traditional methodology like the historic name of Prescott Oakland-Point neighborhood.

In a March 2009 KTVU special one neighbor stated "I don't care for it," says Betty Johnson (not related), who has been known in the neighborhood as Miss Betty since she moved there in 1962. "The youngsters started calling it Lower Bottom."

In the same KTVU special I stated "When I hear the term Lower Bottom now, I understand that it's an artistic term,”…

Betty Marvin, Oakland's history maven, commented to me while discussing the Prescott Oakland Point neighborhood that she thought “the "Lower Bottom term is reverse romanticism." Now how artistic is that!

Something else unexpectedly came out of Chip’s article which I equate as a testament of the quality of work and commitment by the various architects, builders and developers creating a “seamless transition from one building to the next” in the Central Station development.

How did Chip provide this testimonial? In his article he stated “although the complex will carry the design imprint of four separate developers, so far there is a seamless transition from one building to the next.” He further wrote “Construction of an additional 300 units of rental housing and a low-income apartment complex … has not begun.”

Chip did not realized during his tour and subsequent discussion with me lasting for almost 40 minutes, during the community party that we sat in the middle of the courtyard (seamlessly)bound by the PCL, Ironhorse (affordable housing) and Zephyr Gate residential units.

Typically, affordable housing is often criticized as being easy to identify by its cheap, substandard and ugly appearance, which perpetuate the perception that affordable housing does not fit within a community of market rate housings.

In some cases this could be true, but seeing Central Station dispels any preconceived notions about affordable housing when you partner private developer, Holliday Development with affordable housing developer, Bridge Housing both being experienced and successful community builders.

For more on affordable housing, keep checking the POPna site for articles currently in-progress.

WHO LIVES HERE.......LeAnn Flesher

She loves the design and the find! As I walked through the door of LeAnn Flesher's upstairs corner grove unit I was hit with light from all sides and stopped in my tracks by the great sense of original design and feeling of "I'm home". First was the unusual kitchen island.....a piece of furniture that was perfect but that I had never seen before. It was an oak craftsman style table/island/counter/cabinet all in one that LeAnn uses for eating, storage, as an island and for computer work. Really cool! As a dining table it comfortably seats 12! The main focus in her loft is the two story pillar that is smack dab in the in middle and visible from basically any room. LeAnn entertained me by sharing her visitors comments and suggestion for use of the pillar ranging from painting it, to stringing it with lights, to putting hooks in it, to getting rid of it all together. We laughed about that last suggestion as we both visualized the ceiling crashing in and taking everything in its path down to Zack an Tyler's unit below! LeAnn uses her space so creatively with placement of her living area and bedroom downstairs and a home office and TV/den/second bedroom upstairs. I think many people would have switched the placements but this really works beautifully!

LeAnn, who works in Berkeley as the Academic Dean of the Baptist Seminary of the West, moved from Alameda to an apartment in Emeryville a couple of years ago. From this base she took her time looking throughout the area for a home to purchase including the Richmond Marina. In escrow two times before closing on her PCL loft, she finally moved in on May 18th and immediately went off to Africa for work (more on that later). Her unit actually closed while she was traveling and she told me that she felt like she was home the minute she walked back in the door even though she was still in boxes. LeAnn looked at a number of units at PCL during her hunt but this one stuck with her! When she first saw it she figured the numbers wouldn't work and actually asked her realtor to get her out of there! Both he and Gail picked up on the fact that her face actually changed when she entered that space and eventually she did come back, was very pleased with the numbers and moved in!

Prior to becoming Dean, LeAnn was a professor of theology, specializing in Old Testament Studies at the Graduate Theology Union in Berkeley, an ecumenical and interfaith school. Her education is extensive including undergraduate work in business administration at the University of Minnesota, her home state, a masters degree in divinity from Bethel Theology Seminary and a PhD. from Drew University in Madison, NJ. Her work took her to Africa where she is involved in starting a Protestant seminary in partnership with a mission in Uganda. She was also in Rwanda and war torn Congo working with women who were struggling with the trauma of being war victims. Have a cup of tea with LeAnn if you can and listen to the stories! After that I felt silly asking her if she was wary of West Oakland but home is different. LeAnn calmly replied that she had been in much worse situations in NY and was very excited after talking with Rick about his vision for the area. She loves being apart of it all and living what she teaches. I asked LeAnn where her neighborhood haunts were and found that she really goes all over the place. She loves the local restaurants and has taken up sailing in the Berkeley Marina. LeAnn....thanks so much for sharing your home and in your spare time could you please design our next model?
P.S. this blog is in red because we both love designing in reds!

What made this event so special?

In July 2007, the construction contractor UPA California for the City Walk, the Olson Company's boxy condominium development a block from Oakland City Hall walked off the job and then filed bankruptcy.

On November 19th, 2008, developer SunCal (Lehman Brothers were the financial partner) filed for bankruptcy on Oak Knoll residential project in the East Oakland hills. The vision of the development was 960 homes, a retail center and community park. The luxury estate homes would line the highest ridge, with affordable apartments and senior housing nearer to Mountain Boulevard and market rate homes in between.

AF Evans, which declared bankruptcy on March 5th 2009, lost its 901 Jefferson St., a 75-unit building development, to the lender. An estimated the total cost of the project was at $140 million. The City of Pittsburg plans to spend $9.2 million to buy and finish building Vidrio, a 90 percent-complete condo project originally developed by bankrupt AF Evans Co.

All these projects and more cite the financial meltdown and the tightening credit market as contributors to their failures.

In one of the worst economies and in an area that has received little positive press over the past years, Central Station has seen some of the greatest success of any new development in the Bay Area.

On Thursday, Oct. 29th 2009 Central Station celebrated the completion of nearly 400 homes (currently over 200 new residents) as part of the first phase of Central Station, the largest private investment in the history of the Prescott Oakland Point neighborhood.

The block party was an opportunity that brought together new and long-time residents. The 300+ attendees of this party included the Lew Hing family, local elected officials, local businesses, out-of-towners, and represented the rich Prescott Oakland Point neighborhood with people of diverse ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds living side by side which dates back to the early nineteenth century.

Who Lives Here? Stephanie Schnapp and Kendra Bickley

Before I even got to the door of Stephanie and Kendra's new loft I was greeted by their "puggle" Blue who came running down the hall. Blue is a cross between a pug and a beagle, absolutely adorable and is only a few months old. When I did enter Stephanie and Kendra's home I was struck by the vivid colors on the walls. Two shades of a very saturated orange on a wall in the living room accented by Kendra's grandmothers kitchen table of yellow "formica"...so familiar to me having grown up in the 50's! Straight out of Mad Men! Stephanie and I (Kendra was at work unfortunately) sat at this table chatting while Blue took over the green armchair for his after noon nap. These two ladies have been together for the past eight years having met in San Francisco while Kendra, originally from Stockton, was studying Photography at San Francisco State University and working as a barista at Peets Coffee on Market Street. Stephanie grew up and attended college in Southern Illinois and moved out here on a whim after finishing her degree in bio science. Her science background led her to UCSF where she had a number of positions before landing her present job of 4 years as a clinical lab scientist. Her work in the immunohemotology lab includes educating others with her background, on how to become a clinical lab scientists like herself. Kendra now also works at UCSF as a unit coordinator in the ortho/spine pod for the OR. These two ladies were some of the first residents at PCL moving in April from San Francisco where they had the "landlady from hell". They found us on the PCL website. About this time Lola, the cat, wandered down the stairs and led us outside to the balcony where the sun was shining on a lime and tomato plant. I was then invited upstairs to see K+S personal gym set up in the area at the top of the stairs of their courtyard loft. Stephanie used to be a personal trainer and still lifts weights at home when she has the time. Wrapping up, Stephanie got serious and looked me in the eye telling me that one of the main reasons she and Kendra decided to move to PCL was because of Holliday Development's reputation and the fact that Rick and I run the company together with such warmth. Thanks you so much for that Steph and welcome to the community.

CENTRAL STATION BLOCK PARTY

Thursday night Central Station was hoppin'! More than 250 people came to the block party for food, drink, to meet their neighbors or find out what the hub bub is about. The local vendors who fed and entertained were fabulous. Pulled pork and eggplant sandwiches from Brown Sugar Kitchen, great beer from the kegs of Linden Street Brewery, wine tasting with the owners of Urban Legends Winery, coffee, pastries and some great chai from Galatea Cafe, and fruit and vegetable skewers from Namie's Kitchen all accompanied by the the music of DJ, Jonathan Smothers. To top it off dessert was provided by Scream Sorbet with flavors ranging from carmel cashew and lemon buttermilk to thai basil. Needless to say most of the partygoers went back multiple times for the tasty treats!
It was so wonderful to see West Oakland so alive. Pine street was bustling as neighbors strolled down the street and then continued down the grove at PCL to the heart of the new developments. From there people wandered onto the beautiful podium and into the community room at Ironhorse Apartments and to the models at Zephyr gate. The night was tepid and clear and a good time was had by all. Sunday following the party a very nice article came out in the Chronicle about the development of the Oakland's oldest neighborhood. (see blog below) We are on a roll!

THE VISIONARY and A VISION

VISIONARY - Terner Relentless in Pursuit of Housing
Affordable Housing Finance • October 2009
By Rick Holliday

Don Terner changed my life. I first met Don as a burnt-out, lost graduate student at University of California Berkeley in 1976. In the 20-plus years I knew Don, I witnessed firsthand his remarkable ability to inspire and lead his colleagues and friends in his relentless pursuit to build affordable housing. Don approached the never ending affordable housing production shortfall with a laser focus and unbridled enthusiasm. This attitude/method became his mantra, “Whatever It Takes.”

On Jan. 3, 1983, I had the honor to join Don as his business partner with a stated goal to create a “new” regional nonprofit housing developer that could lead the way in developing large quantities of high-quality affordable homes for working families that were priced out of the San Francisco Bay Area market. The mission we laid out was audacious and bold. BRIDGE would build thousands of homes in partnership with public and private parties. BRIDGE is more than 25 years old now, and we lost Don in our 13th year.

Note: Terner, an architect and social entrepreneur who served on the faculties at MIT, Harvard, and Berkeley, died in April 1996 in a plane crash with U.S. Commerce Secretary Ron Brown while on a humanitarian mission to Bosnia.

Complete article here

VISION - New West Oakland lofts in old Pacific Cannery
SFGATE

West Oakland is undergoing a transformation with Central Station, a series of housing developments in the neighborhood around the historic Southern Pacific Train Station.

Approved by city leaders five years ago, the plan calls for more than 1,000 homes to replace 26 dusty acres. They'll be clustered around the restored Beaux Arts-style 16th Street Train Station, the terminus of the Transcontinental Railroad.

The area has long been a sort of no-man's-land. West Oakland was cut off from the rest of the city on four sides by the Oakland Army Base, West Oakland BART, the West Grand Avenue freeway entrance to the Bay Bridge and a lumbering double-decker portion of Interstate 880 called the Cypress Structure.

Then 20 years ago, the Loma Prieta earthquake struck, rendering the Cypress a pile of rubble. Shortly afterward the Army base was shuttered and an area that had long been cut off from the rest of Oakland was suddenly a lot the way it used to be - a regular neighborhood of Victorians and warehouses, easily accessible and well placed.

The area changed slowly, just as Jack London Square did. The artists infiltrate first, moving in for the cheap live-work space; then the hipsters arrive, coming for its rough-edged authenticity; and finally the developers.

One of the first entrants, Holliday Development, is building the Pacific Cannery Lofts in the initial phase of the Central Station community.

The 163-unit project is an adaptive reuse of a historic warehouse, the 1911 Pacific Coast Cannery building, which was shuttered during the Great Depression and has sat empty for 50 years.

Complete article here

Weekend Events Oct. 31-Nov.1

Thrillerthon: Haitian Day of the Dead

Happy Days on Ice

Fruitvale Dia De Los Muertos 2009

Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire

“DRIP” a new play

City Slicker Farms

Do you have crime concerns?

Are concerns regarding public safety causing some hesitation or doubt?

On Monday, November 2nd; 6:30 p.m. at Prescott Elementary School, located at 920 Campbell street (in the Prescott Oakland Point neighborhood) Mayor Dellums introduces Oakland’s New Police Chief Anthony Batts.

Check out the POPna site for more information and directions.

CENTRAL STATION BLOCK PARTY

Tomorrow night is the Central Station Block Party, a celebration of the Central Station Community! Please gather where the three developments, Ironhorse Apartments, Pacific Cannery Lofts and Zephyr Gate, meet, eat, drink and then wander through the beautiful, well planned community. Models will be open at Pacific Cannery Loft and Zephyr Gate. You can also wander up onto the beautiful Ironhorse podium and into their community room. In the corner Pacific Cannery Gallery at 12th and Pine there is a photography exhibit featuring a beautiful interior shot of the Train Station by award winning Katherine Westerhout. In addition there are photos by Jason Mehrtens for our first Artist in Residence program.
Food, drinks and music will be provided by local merchants including:

Jonathan Smothers DJ will provide the music.
Linden Street Brewery will provide the beer.
Brown Sugar Kitchen will be providing tasty food.
Namie's Kitchen will provide more tasty food and snacks.
Urban Legend Winery will have a barrel tasting of their wines.
Galatea Cafe will provide coffee, tea and pastry.
Scream Sorbet will provide dessert.

Don't miss it! Come meet your neighbors from all three developments and from the rest of the community. Bring friends and neighbors and enjoy!!

WHO LIVES HERE? Tara Viriyapunt

I was greeted at Tara's grove loft not only by Tara's radiant warmth but also by her dog Cocoa, who had a stuffed giraffe in her mouth and a tail that wouldn't be still. I was already laughing! We just couldn't decide where to sit first, as inside and outside were both beckoning us. We decided to stay inside as I started asking about the eclectic art collection on the wall, including a piece painted by an elephant in Thailand (yes, a real elephant). Tara collects art from around the world and displays her colorful collection on her spacious loft walls. A world traveler and native of Thailand, her family moved to the US for educational opportunities when she was 16 years old, settling in Hawaii. Tara knew no English upon her arrival and when I asked her what the transition was like, she said it was like being thrown into deep water....."you just have to learn to swim!" Spending four hours a day in ESL classes she excelled in the classes that are more universal like mathematics and art. She went on to major in Math in college....because it was the "easiest choice".....I was laughing again....holy cow! Tara now works in Burlingame as a software engineer and is thankful for the quick access to the freeways. Although it may have made more sense for Tara to purchase a home on the Peninsula, she much prefers "urban living and a more colorful community". Tara discovered PCL when a friend who was loft living in Emeryville sent her the link to the Cannery website. Like many of you, she loved the building although a bit wary of the neighborhood, but after spending time walking and driving the streets of West Oakland she was convinced that West Oakland was the place she wanted to be. And of course the dog washing station and close access to Point Isabel dog park clinched the deal. About this time in the conversation I was offered some hot Thai tea and we moved outside to her patio on the Grove. Lush with plants and red geraniums, inspired by her travels to Europe, we continues our exchange with Cocoa at our feet. Gardening has been a passion of Tara's since her childhood in the tropics so having direct access to the gardens and the sun was a must for both Tara and Cocoa. The Grove was a perfect spot for the two of them. It was so lovely sitting outside, chatting and waving to the neighbors as they returned from their busy day. It seems that the new residents living on the grove have all gotten to know each other and their pets and there is talk of shared dinners and cooking. Tara's speciality is Thai cooking and she usually shops at Oakland's Chinatown for the special ingredients she needs. We want to welcome both you and Cocoa to the Central Station Community. Thanks for the tea!

Brats & Beer

Saturday, October 17th, 12pm - 5pm

Linden St. Brewery, #8 Linden St. @ 3rd St.

Family Friendly, No Entry Fee

Live Blues by Rick Baskin and Friends

For events this weekend, click here

20 Years after Loma Prieta, How Prepared Are We?

Pondering this question, I checked the "Retrofit Projects Completed since the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake" website, I found the following:

Pacific Cannery Lofts

“This large urban infill project in Oakland had four separate components: a 90,000 sq. ft. covered garage embedded behind new façade lofts, a 95,000 sq. ft. warehouse that was converted and seismically upgraded into warehouse lofts, and two freestanding residential wood-frame courtyard lofts. The existing structures had been used primarily as industrial warehouses …

For the seismic system, Tipping Mar implemented concrete shear walls in the interior and a series of vertical and battered micropiles for the foundation to compensate for site variation.”

For Loma Prieta commemoration and training related events, check out POPna

Who Lives Here? DeAnna Mercier

I rang the doorbell at DeAnna Mercier's grove loft and heard not only footsteps coming to the door but paws, sliding and snorting. The door opened and I was greated by DeAnna and her four year old French bulldog/Boston Terrier mix, Hugo, who DeAnna describes as a "piece of work". DeAnna, who grew up in Vermont, has been living at PCL since April after almost giving up on her search for a home to purchase. Targeting West Oakland because of opportunity, she came upon the filming of the HBO series, "Gangland", and decided that she either needed more money or a bigger dog! But after further research and an introduction to the Cannery she made a comfortable decision to make West Oakland her home. It has everything she was looking for including proximity to the freeways, a ground floor access and porch for Hugo, safety, and a sense of community. DeAnna graduated from UVM with a degree in ecological studies so the Green Point Rating at PCL was also a draw.

After college, DeAnna spent several years traveling and answered a newspaper ad while living in Hawaii about caring for a young autistic child and the found her passion. Returning to Vermont she earned a masters degree in education and applied behavioral analysis from Johnson. She went on to earn a Board Certification in Behavior Analysis and moved to California to continue he work with children. Now a member of the STE Consultants group, she supervises teams of people who work with young children with autism and their families in the bay area. Her consulting work provides the perfect balance between working in the field and at home in her new loft.

DeAnna has found her grove neighbors and their pets to be an extremely friendly and cohesive group. I asked if she had used the dog washing station for Hugo and she told me that when Hugo goes out for walks at the off leash park he comes back "looking like he spent the night partying in Las Vegas" and into the tub he goes. She has also used a Backroads bike this summer to go to the baseball game in SF. She hopped on BART and used the valet bike parking at the ballpark...no traffic, no hassle , a snap!

DeAnna and Hugo....you crack me up! Welcome!

Left: Hugo is not a morning person!

First Pacific Cannery Loft "Artist in Residence" Showing

As I interview and meet more and more PCL residents I am not surprised to find that many are very artistically talented. Either as hobbies or careers, the creativity includes photography, welding and furniture design, painting, graphics, web design and more. Since I have really only begn the residents blog, I believe this is only the tip of the iceberg and thought it would be great to start an Artist in Residence Program in the Gallery Space.

Our first participant is Jason Mehrtens whose photographs will be on display in the PCL Gallery starting late October through the end of the year. Jason whose images range from urban art to portraiture particularly enjoys shooting long exposures and macro images. You can contact Jason directly to set up a time to view his work.

If you are interested in having a showing in our new Artist in Residence program please contact Nancy Holliday.

Reminder: 8TH OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Screening continues today until Wednesday, Oct. 14th, ending with the short film titled “Country Rose” starring local country western star Miko Marks and directed by Prescott Oakland Point resident Edward Rosenblum.

For more information on this and other events, go to the POPna site

Question of the Night at the PCL BBQ

Ribs, burgers, veggie burgers and munchies were cooked and served up by Holliday Development in appreciation and celebrated of the new residents at Pacific Cannery Lofts. What a great night it was to see everyone so happy and eager to be part of the new community. For those of us at HD who are not based onsite, it was a great pleasure to meet the personalities we have heard about in so many staff meetings. No wonder Amy, Brian and Gail are always so excited about what they do. Rick and I are always thrilled when we see the lights finally go on in a project we have worked on for years but this night was particularly exciting for us because of the history, political battle, neighborhood, staff effort and perseverance of the people now living in their homes and building a great community!

Personally I also loved meeting all the dogs (and so did my dog Jones), Inque and her new sister Vanilla Bean, Cocoa and many more appeared in the PCL pet parade. I am so pleased to hear how much use you are all getting out of the dog washing station.

And finally....the question of the night was, "so where do you live?" Thus the images below. Lots of pointing and smiling going on!

Weekend Events starting Oct. 10th

Loft owners at Pacific Cannery Lofts should have a panorama view of the Bay Bridge and Air Show festivals of Fleet Week this weekend without the hassle of going to San Francisco. From their own vistas, they can enjoy Saturday and Sunday the Air Show which runs from 12:30pm-3pm and the Blue Angels from 3pm-4pm. For those who are not current owners, I am sure the Sales folks can find you a upper level vantage point to watch the areobatic maneuvers.

Also notable, THE CANNERY bikers no longer have to travel outside the neighborhood for bike accessories, apparel, bike care products, car racks, eyewear, nutrition, packs & bags, protective gear, shoes, skuut and more. RideSFO just a few blocks away, recently held their Grand Opening Party at 1724 Mandela Parkway Suite #2 on Oct 3rd, 2009. For those wanting to place online orders, they can access RideSFO catalog by clicking here. For more information contact Junnel “JRock” Milleza at jrock@ridesfo.com or call 510-832-2800.

For more information regarding upcoming events, click on the image above to access the POPna site.

WHO LIVES HERE? Dennis Hanshew

Sunday morning I had coffee and homemade mango pie with Dennis Hanshew, his cat, Domino and his previous neighbors from SF in his new loft. He took us on a tour of his home/painter's studio and treated us to the stories behind his wonderful large paintings that hang from the expansive walls in his classic signature loft. Dennis, who grew up in California, was the son of a state park service employee, and moved from park to park including Mt.Diablo and Big Sur. He moved to Hawaii for college where he earned his degree in painting and a teaching credential and stayed for over 30 years. Back in the bay area as a renter his interest in buying a home was stirred by the opportunities stemming from the financial meltdown. His search took him up and down the west coast including Portland and Seattle. His interest in art, style and architecture brought him across the bay to PCL but initially he felt that the neighborhood was a deal breaker and that he would be too close to the freeway. But PCL stayed in his mind and he came back many times and finally made the purchase. Ironically he now looks out on the freeway and the lit cranes at the Port of Oakland, a view he once described as bizarre, but now finds very pleasing. He has also been pleasantly surprised by the sense of community in the neighborhood. Working as a paralegal in SF, Dennis walks to and from BART daily and has made friends along the way. He has been asked to join the domino games played in the local park on Wood Street and hopes to get to know more of the people who have lived in this area all their lives. He has befriended other PCL residents and finds the mix of people both on site and in the nieghborhood exciting. Dennis decided to make his upstairs loft his work area, where he paints and creates, setting up his bedroom in the alcove downstairs. Often mixing a wax medium iwht his oil paints, his works have a sense of depth from varied translucency and a luster on the paint surface. Besides his great work space Dennis was drawn to the angled walls, the light and expressed that the column was what did it for him. Welcome ot the PCL community Dennis, and thanks for the pie....delicious!

Allensworth, CA The Town that Refused to Die

As a follow up to my interview with PCL resident Charles Allensworth, her eis some background information on his great great great uncle, Lt. Colonel Allen Allensworth and the historic town of Allensworth Ca that he established.

Lt. Colonel Allen Allensworth (7 April 1842 – 14 September 1914) was an American soldier in the United States Army. He was the highest ranking African American commissioned officer in the United States military at his retirement in 1906, and is remembered as the founder of the all-black township of Allensworth, California, now Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park.


Born into slavery in Louisville, Kentucky, Allensworth educated himself illegally; he ran off and joined the army, eventually becoming one of the Army's first Black chaplains. He obtained a teacher's certificate, and was stationed at Angel Island in San Francisco Bay.
Upon leaving military service, Allensworth and his family settled in Los Angeles. It was there that he was inspired with the idea of establishing a self-sufficient, all-black California community where African Americans could live their lives free of the racial discrimination.


In August 1908 Colonel Allen Allensworth and four other settlers established a town founded, financed and governed by African Americans. Their dream of developing an abundant and thriving community stemmed directly from a strong belief in programs that allowed blacks to help themselves create better lives. By 1910 Allensworth’s success was the focus of many national newspaper articles praising the town and its inhabitants.

An unavoidable set of circumstances(drought, arsenic in the water) made it impossible for the residents of this tiny town located 30 miles north of Bakersfield to achieve their founders’ dreams over the long term. But the town did remain home to a handful of families and individuals throughout the 20th century, and true to the courage and resolve of its founders, the town has survived and persevered, earning the well-deserved title “The town that refused to die.”


In 1974 California State Parks purchased land within the historical townsite of Allensworth, and it became Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. Today a collection of lovingly restored and reconstructed early 20th-century buildings—including the Colonel’s house, historic schoolhouse, Baptist church, and library—once again dots this flat farm country, giving new life to the dreams of these visionary pioneers.


With continuing restoration and special events(attended annually by Charles), the town is coming back to life as a state historic park. The park’s visitor center features a film about the site. A yearly rededication ceremony reaffirms the vision of the pioneers. Allensworth is the only California community to be founded, financed and governed by African Americans.



Text is from California State Parks website on Colonel Allensworth State Park and Wikipedia

Who Lives Here? Charles Allensworth

Charles birthday is October 18th and he is celebrating by having friends and family over to his new courtyard loft, but he is also celebrating a pretty amazing life. Charles’ childhood was not easy, the second oldest of 7 kids being cared for by a single welfare mom in Indiana. Charles beat the odds and worked his way through college and graduate school becoming a teacher in the Bayview Hunters Point area of San Francisco. Concurrently he worked at Rainbow grocery and continues working there now in his 23rd year, as a buyer of health products, owner/employee and customer service person. He is also a Viet Nam veteran. Although his teaching career ended due to budget cuts he continues to mentor kids throughout Alameda County. He is the proud papa of two grown daughters, Andreshell and Ariana, who has just this spring graduated from Fordhem University in urban studies. Charles also beams when he speaks of his two granddaughters who come to visit him in his loft. Charles not only loves people but animals as well. We talked about dogs for quite a while as his dog Kona, a sweet purpled tongued chow, listened intently and cocked his head. As I was getting up to leave I noticed a framed flyer of a soldier on the kitchen table that bore Charles last name, Allensworth, and asked what the connection was. Amazingly, through a fateful question from a college registrar, Charles discovered the fact that his great great great uncle (that is his grandfather’s uncle) was Lt. Colonel Allen Allensworth, the highest ranking African American commissioned officer in the US military and the founder of the all black township of Allensworth, California near Bakersfield. Charles goes to Allensworth on a regular basis dressed in his Buffalo Soldier uniform to help educate those who visit this now historic park. Of course this leads to a new blog on Lt. Allensworth and the state park….stay tuned.
Charles…wishing you a very happy birthday and thank you for hanging in with us long enough to becoming part of the PCL community. Charles was our first interested buyer and hung in with us longer than anyone. Hats off!

For Upcoming Events, Click on Picture

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Sunday, October 4th

Blessing of the Animals Events

Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009

Christians everywhere celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi by having their pets blessed in the spirit of this patron saint of animals and ecology.

Starting at 10 a.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church located at 1658 Excelsior Avenue, Oakland, CA will feature their Blessing of the Animals event.

Bring your pets and animal companions to this special service celebrating the Feast of St. Francis.

Animals should be either in crates or on leash. If your pet is not good around other animals feel free to bring a photo to be blessed. Stuffed animals are welcome!

There will also be a memorial altar for photos of pets that have passed away.

* In case of rain the blessing service will take place in the church basement.

For more information call 510-530-6333

Also, the Skyline Community Church, 12540 Skyline Blvd., Oakland Hills. will start their Blessing of the Animals beginning with registration at 2:45 p.m.

Special ceremony to honor animal companions starts at 3:00 p.m. Bring a pet or picture of a pet.

Refreshments provided for pets. Afterward, walk pets through the unique labyrinth.

For more information call 510-531-8212 or email office@skylineucc.org.

For more events this weekend, CHECK OUT POPNA!

Who Lives Here??.......Jason Mehrtens and Al Andrade

Jason and Al lived in San Francisco where they both work and intended to purchase their first home there, but after looking a what they described as “outrageously expensive cookie cutter condos” in the city they turned their attention to the east bay. Jason found one of our PCL craigslist ads, called Brian in sales and came over to see the lofts that day. “Loved it right away” was his comment. Al, who was much less anxious to move out of the city, agreed after visiting PCL that it was the right move for the couple. They have now lived in their loft over looking the main courtyard for almost two months and have not gone back to the city except for work They have already had numerous dinner parties for friends and new PCL acquaintances. Jason works in public health and Al is a chef at Foreign Cinema Restaurant where his culinary skills turn out French fusion dishes inspired by Moroccan, Asian an Indian influences. Jason, who loves photography shared some if his images with me…..really great stuff. He will be the first resident to present his work in the PCL gallery where we hope to share other artist/residents work with the community.
Both men take Bart to the work and were drawn to the central, transit based location of PCL. In their free time they often wander over to Alameda, a new experience for both of them. Al noted that he was pleasantly surprised with the quality and variety of culinary choices near by……Great ice cream in Alameda, The Revolutionary Café and of course Brown Sugar Kitchen. They expressed that they feel like pioneers in this new budding neighborhood. They are also social pioneers as they are one of the few California same sex couples who is legally married. When closing on their unit the escrow officer asked them their wives names not realizing that they were married…. to each other! Also living with Jason and Al is their chihuahau/terrier mix, Inque (pronounced INK) who is about to get a little sister pup, possibly named Vanilla Bean. Needless to say, the have made great use of the dog washing station.

Jason, Al and Inque…..it is a pleasure having you here at PCL!

Full Moon Buy Night-Thursday, Oct. 1st

There are many rituals associated with a full moon. There is one ritual that brings together song, dance, magic and comedy.

On Thursday evening, October 1st, starting at 5:30 p.m., Jack London Square will host Full Moon Buy Night, a night market in the festive tradition of Italian village fairs, the German holiday market, and the Moroccan bazaar.

Between 7:30 p.m. enjoy a This dockside concert aboard FDR's presidential yacht, the USS Potomac will be a great evening of live music by The Picasso String Quartet.

For those wanting a more relaxed activity while enjoying the moon, shop Oakland online where you can just about find anything.

Additional information can be found on POPna

New Townhome Model at PCL

The Townhomes on the Grove at PCL were the last in the construction order and are now completed and selling. The new Townhome Model is open for viewing and has been a big hit. These units are versatile, with two bedrooms and two baths on three floors. The first floor is very flexible and can be used to set up a business with its roll up "garage style" door opening onto the beautifully landscaped grove full of Chinese lantern plants and banana trees. The middle floor, or living level entertains an open kitchen, dining, living area while the sunlit master bath and bedroom are upstairs for quiet and privacy. Because of the bright light throughout the unit we chose a very dark saturated forest green accent paint that compliments the rose/red wood flooring complimented by some infrared photography by Nancy Holliday. Patio decking from Ikea was used on the bathroom floor and draws a lot of attention. If interested in viewing the model check in with with the staff in the new sales office.

GreenPoint Showcase Tour

On the Prescott Oakland Point neighborhood blog, I stated how the Pacific Cannery Lofts is featured in the self guided GreenPoint Showcase Tour, on Sunday, October 4th, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

As a guest writer, I believe this site is the appropriate location to provide more specific information regarding Build It Green since the Pacific Cannery lofts are the recipients of the GreenPoint Rated certification.

Everyone who owns a unit will receive a certificate stating their units GreenPoint Rating.

About Build it Green

In 2005, Build it Green was created as a result of the merger of the Green Resource Center and Bay Area Build it Green. Build it Green has developed the GreenPoint Rated rating system which has become the standard for evaluating the green performance of new single-family and multi-family projects, although it can also apply to neighborhood and high-rise residential development. This system is solely based in California and includes practices that exceed California codes. GreenPoint Rated is also a point based program with third party certification.

Green building is a whole-systems-approach to building that includes:
· Designing for livable communities
· Using sun and site to the building's advantage for natural heating, cooling, and daylighting
· Landscaping with native, drought-resistant plants and water-efficient practices
· Building quality, durable structures
· Reducing and recycling construction and demolition waste
· Insulating well and ventilating appropriately
· Incorporating durable, salvaged, recycled, and sustainably harvested materials
· Using healthy products and building practices
· Using energy-efficient and water-saving appliances, fixtures and technologies

Five principles of green building:
· Livable communities
· Energy efficiency
· Indoor air quality
· Resource conservation
· Water conservation

Chinatown’s People (Pacific Coast Canning Co.)

This article was found in the Oakland Magazine, September-October 2009 edition, Legacies section:

Chinatown’s People by William Wong

An Oral-History Project Preserves the Chinese Experience

[Excerpts]

Jean Moon Liu is a granddaughter of Lew Hing, who started the Pacific Coast Canning Co. in West Oakland in 1904, a business that provided canned fruits and vegetables nationwide and to U.S. military personnel in Europe during World War I.

Their stories — and that of a few others I have gathered — collectively represent a “bridge generation” between long-gone Chinese Oaklanders who lived during the harshest days of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and those who came of age after World War II …

As a child, Jean Moon Liu remembers her grandfather, the tycoon Lew Hing, living in a house built near Lake Merritt, a locale generally unfriendly to Chinese families in the early 20th century. Lew Hing was prominent in both Oakland and San Francisco Chinatowns.

Jean went on to a productive work life as an accountant for both private and nonprofit organizations. Her daughter, Carol Liu, has been a member of the California Legislature since 2000 (Assembly for six years, Senate since 2008). Jean Moon Liu, 91, still lives in Oakland.

[Full Story]

Other interesting information:

Lew Hing's Pacific Coast Canning Company (Naruta 2005)

From the Pacific Coast Canning Company to the Pacific Cannery Lofts, Click Here

WHO LIVES HERE? Edward and Akiko Higgins

East coast born chef Edward Higging was very familiar with pioneering neighborhoods and lofts before purchasing his upstairs courtyard loft at PCL. He was the chef for the original NY based Craft restaurant before he decided to relocate to Tokyo where he quickly learned Japanese and landed a job as a chef at the Four Seasons Hotel. His Japanese born wife Akiko had attended an interior design program in San Francisco and was fluent in English, working as English editor back in her native country. As fate would have it the two met on a commuter train in Tokyo where Akiko asked Edward to help her with a piece she was editing. Sparks flew and they were soon married. When discussing their return to the states, Akiko laid down the law and said anywhere but NY. With a new opportunity for Edward arising at the Four Seasons in Silicon Valley they moved to the Mountain View where it took Edward 17 minutes to even reach the freeway from his home to begin his commute. Needless to say one of the attractions of the Pacific Cannery Lofts was the quick access to freeways in all directions in addition to the potential of the neighborhood and the great design.

First impressions were important to the Higgins couple and they loved the history, design, location and neighborhood that was becoming the new Central Station community. Akiko whose blogging work allows her to write from her loft is kept company by their “freagle” Penne, who is a designer breed, cross between a French bulldog and a beagle. Penne frequents the dog washing station and Edward keeps his bikes in the Velo Lounge, two amenities that made an instant impact on the couple.
When I asked Edward where to get the best Japanese food in Oakland he quickly responded, “my kitchen!” Ok…so invite me over! I love Japanese food! But his specialty is fancy Italian cooking and both he and Akiko frequent Pizzaiola in the up and coming Temescal area.

Akiko, Edward and Penne….welcome to the new community at PCL and Central Station!

WHO LIVES HERE? Jeremy Otis

You can feel the creativity as soon as you walk into Jeremy Otis’ Grove Loft! This talented identity, packaging and web designer is originally from Ohio by way of Chicago, but the minute he stepped off the plane at SFO he felt like he was home. Inspired by the original Grove, designed with a live/work web developer in mind, Jeremy also runs his brand development and design business, Force and Form, from his new loft space. Jeremy has turned his loft into one of the most cleverly flexible spaces by the simple addition of a curtain that can ride around on a lengthy track that runs from the front door and windows, past his working space and in front of his kitchen allowing him to partition off selected spaces in his loft. Really cool!

Jeremy was renting an Emeryville loft space when he read about PCL in Oakland Magazine. PCL was the only website that Jeremy bookmarked as he scanned residential possibilities and when his parents came to visit they too loved the place. He is a participant in the first time homebuyer program offered by the city of Oakland and was very complimentary of the information sessions he attended. Jeremy’s loft is frequented by his dog Sadie, cat Mimo and elusive yeti Martin. He regularly visits the new Galatea Café on Wood Street and says that $1 muffins will be the death of him. Add a latté by the barista Ember and call it breaky! Jeremy recognized the potential of West Oakland immediately and cocks his head when people ask him why he moved there. Friends that have come to visit love his place and he no longer has to explain. He says he has met quite a few new community members both from PCL and homes in the neighborhood where he says that neighbors are always coming off their front porches to say hello.

Please help in extending a warm welcome to Jeremy. Congrats on the purchase of your first home.

Here are some neighborhood businesses that Jeremy recommends are worth the short walk:

Art Gallery

LoBot Gallery

http://www.lobotgallery.com/

Cafés

Galetea Café

http://www.yelp.com/biz/galatea-cafe-oakland

Revolution Café

http://www.yelp.com/biz/revolution-cafe-oakland

Diner

Pretty Lady

http://www.yelp.com/biz/pretty-lady-oakland

Groceries and Produce

City Slicker Farms

http://www.cityslickerfarms.org/

Mandela Food Coop

http://www.mandelafoods.com/

WHO LIVES HERE? Egan Brown

Tonight I had the pleasure of meeting Egan Brown who lives in one of the courtyard units off the middle garden. Egan has recently moved back to Oakland, his hometown, from Atlanta where he attended Morehouse College, entering on an academic scholarship and playing football. Combining his familiarity with Oakland and his degree in finance, Egan could immediately see the opportunity at the Pacific Cannery Lofts. He had been looking for a home to purchase since August of 2008 but it was actually his mother, who works for the city of Oakland, who first discovered the First Time Homebuyers program offered by the city and its application at PCL. Both parents encouraged Egan to check out the new loft community and when he did, he stopped looking. He described the process of purchasing his loft as daunting referring to all of the delays, crazy economy and being the first “guinea pig” to use the City's first time program. Now that Egan is settled, he is very happy that he stuck it out and tells me that his friends who have seen his new home think it is very cool. Egan knew early on which unit he wanted choosing to be on the first floor to have access to the gardens. He often sits outside on his patio enjoying the fresh air and appreciating the historic aspects and items. This weekend he is throwing a housewarming party, inviting friends over to check out his new digs. Egan works for Kaiser in its regional office and rides one of the Velo Lounge bikes to work. I have to say what a pleasure it was to talk with Egan and want to welcome him to the Central Station Community. What a great addition. Egan looks forward to meeting more community members.

WHO LIVES HERE? Andi and Kevin

Today we start a new blog series introducing new residents who have moved into the Pacific Cannery Lofts and have chosen to be part of the exciting Central Station Community.

I start this blog series by interviewing newlyweds and first time homebuyers Kevin and Andi who have been following this project from the beginning. Married just about a year ago, Kevin moved from San Francisco and Andi moved from Lake Merritt, along with their dog Tucker and cat Henry. Andi, who like Kevin is also in real estate, told me that she loves the light in her unit, the courtyard, and community. Kevin agrees and added that for him the commute to work couldn't be better (less than 5 minutes). He often grabs one of the Backroads bikes from the velo lounge for a quick ride to his office in Emeryville. Tucker the dog gets bathed regularly in the dog bath on site and is starting to like it. The newlyweds loved the 10’ table in the New Urban Flat model and purchased a similar one where they now gather with their many friends for meals and political discussions.

Kevin, Andi, Tucker and Henry……….welcome to the PCL and Central Station community.

Welcome Galatea Cafe!

Just open on Wood Street between 15th and 16th in West Oakland, Café Galatea is a new café bringing life to the area surrounding the Central Station community and its new neighbors at the Pacific Cannery Lofts.
Owner/artist David Ghadini is the friendly face behind the counter serving up an array of expresso drinks, teas, cold drinks, muffins, fruit, cookies, bagels and a breakfast croissant egg sandwich. This is a place where you can meet, sit, eat, relax, and surf the web (internet is free with a purchase). There are also board games including chess and scrabble for a friendly nerd tournament. Café hours are 6:30 am to 2pm but the plan is to extend hours to 4pm as the business grows.

The atmosphere here at Café Galatea is very pleasant, quiet and artful. The walls are hung with paintings by artist Sabrina Fadial and David displays his sculptures throughout. When sipping your coffee, make sure to look up and check out the light that was designed by David. Very Cool!

How Far Would You Travel for a Waffle?

Jonathan Gold of Gourmet Magazine, a self proclaimed waffle snob, has admitted to traveling miles to taste many a good waffle but states that once he tasted the waffles at Brown Sugar Kitchen it was like he had never tasted a waffle at all. Jonathan describes the yeasted cornmeal waffles at Brown Sugar Kitchen as so light and so crisp that they are almost a different species. We are lucky to have Tanya Holland, brilliant chef and owner of Brown Sugar Kitchen, right here in the neighborhood, a stones throw away from the Pacific Cannery Lofts. Jonathan on the other hand had to travel 400 miles for his waffle. To read more about Jonathan Gold's experience at BSK click here.

KGO Covers Gracie Madden's Home

The story of Gracie Madden’s home aired Thursday, May 14th on the KGO 5pm news.


Click here for the video; Holliday Development folks are seen in the background working …

Here are some excerpts:

Cannon Constructors stepped up to finish the project with the help of an all volunteer crew, including some who are unemployed.

"It's very heartwarming. Again, we do it because we can. We have the opportunity to take care of somebody else," said Ken Kuhn from Cannon Constructors.

This is one of 40 homes being repaired by the non-profit group Rebuilding Together Oakland Nationally, rebuilding together rehabilitated 4,000 homes and non-profits in April.

"It's wonderful how we're able to leverage the resources that are out here and able to do the work at no cost to our homeowners," said Kym Luqman from Rebuilding Oakland Together.

Good feelings were all around.

"There's is good people still out here and it just overwhelms our hearts," said Edward's mom Leora Clay.

For some history, check out “Contractor abandons family mid-project”

A thank you note from Marie and Gracie

Marie and Gracie live in the Oakland house that we worked on with Cannon Constructors in conjunction with Rebuilding Together. (See previous post)
Below is the text from a thank you note they sent 5-7-09.
Marie and Gracie....it was our pleasure to work on your house!

To the Holliday Sponsors...Angels you are!
My family and I can't thank you enough. We are so pleased with our new home. You are so appreciated for your donation and love and work put out for my family. We haven't smiled in 3 years because of a disaster to our home. (referring to the unscrupulous contractor who ripped them off). But we now know there really are beautiful people willing to come into our lives and change everything. Again thanks just doesn't seem to say enough for your support. God bless you all.
Marie and Gracie
And mon looks forward to looking at her flower bed.

HD & CANNON work on Rebuilding Together house

For the past couple of years Holliday Development and Cannon Constructors have paired up to sponsor and work on a house in need for Rebuilding Together Oakland. RTO is nonprofit and primarily works with elderly and disabled people in Oakland who can’t afford to fix their homes. This year we worked on a “Heavy House” meaning it needed lots of skilled work to bring it up to snuff. With months of preparation, planning and dedication, the house was completed in two days, April 18th and 25th. Here is what we did:

A handicapped ramp was erected in the the back of the house so the thirteen year old paraplegic boy who lives there could come and go without assistance. When the ramp was completed and the young man first descended down the ramp there were tears in everyone’s eyes.

The team completed the lath and then plastered and painted the house inside and out. Some light electrical and carpentry work was also performed, in addition to sloping and tiling a bathroom floor making it wheelchair accessible.

No one knew at the time that the homeowner had worked with an unscrupulous contractor who was picked up by KGO – 7 On Your Side. They went after the contractor, but the homeowner, Gracie Madden, still did not get her issued addressed. KGO followed up with her to see how see was doing, and she told them that “RTO is fixing my house”. KGO plans to cover this event as a “happy ending”. Regardless if the TV crew shows up or not…it IS a happy ending. Check out the picture of Gracie and her daughter. I must say that it was a pleasure working with them. The sweet potato pie these ladies baked for us was “to die for”!

We got it!

Thanks to Cal Inman, project manager at Holliday Development, we now have the final CO for the Pacific Cannery Lofts. CO stands for Certificate of Occupancy and is a document issued by a local government agency or building department certifying a buildings compliance with applicable building codes, indicating that it is ready for occupancy. (a TCO or temporary certificate of occupancy, grants the same rights as the CO but for a limited amount of time) Cal Inman joined Holliday Development in 2005 after studying real estate finance and entrprneurial studies at USF.
He jumped right into project managing the Pacific Cannery Lofts program and has done a fabulous job. Thanks Cal!

KQED SPARK airs

KQED's arts program, SPARK, recently aired featuring Katherine Westerhout photographing the light in the abandoned Oakland Train Station. If you missed it you can still view the segment and read the copy by clicking here, and searching Oakland Train Station.
ENJOY!

THE QUESTION

In Dave Newhouse’s Sunday, March 29th, 2009 Good Neighbors article answers THE QUESTION “Oakland's wonderful despite warts”

Excerpts from that article:

THE QUESTION, of course: How can you live in a place like Oakland?

I quickly grew to like Oakland because of this cultural diversity, which has increased over the years. More than any other Bay Area city, Oakland resembles a pocket-size United Nations in its citizenry. Fascinating, indeed.

A fact that's often lost because of Oakland's crime figures, but its residents do get along as a rule. And you can have a good time in Oakland because it's hospitable, not haughty.

People eat well here, too. Oakland has the best soul food and — sorry, San Jose — the best Mexican food. Oakland has the Bay Area's premier ice cream parlor in Fentons, the best pizza at Pizzaiolo, the best bakery at Bake Sale Betty's, and the funkiest watering hole (now that the Kingfish is closed) in Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon.

Yoshi's of Oakland is the best local jazz club, intimate with great acoustics. However, Oakland is a phantasmagoria of international music in its wide-ranging sound. While the Oakland East Bay Symphony isn't as wealthy as the San Francisco Symphony, it isn't as staid either. OEBS director/conductor Michael Morgan is willing to experiment with new composers, and successfully.

And Oakland has restored — count them — two classic vintage theaters in the Paramount and Fox. Name another town where you've seen this happen.

When it comes to sports, Oakland tops San Francisco in world championships with eight (A's four, Raiders three, Warriors one) to five (all 49ers). No major-league city has anyone like Al Davis, who has been a coach, general manager, owner and commissioner, plus he moved his franchise out of town and then, uniquely, moved it back. Only in Oakland.

Oakland has much to offer, including fantastic hiking trails in its hills. And College Avenue, as I've stated before, is the greatest street in America — even before it hits the Berkeley city line — because of its incredible diversity.

Add the quaint European village-like atmosphere of the Montclair district, and that's yet another reason THE QUESTION doesn't bother me quite like it does some outsiders.

Repost from POPNA site

The Velo Lounge at PCL is Full of Bikes!

Today the Holliday Development staff strapped on their bike helmets and shuttled more than 20 bikes from storage at the HD offices to the Velo Lounge at the Pacific Cannery Lofts. The bikes were purchased from Backroads Active Travel Company based in Berkeley and had to travel from Utah where they were being used and stored for cycling vacations. Any resident at Pacific Cannery Lofts is more than welcome to use a bike for commuting or pleasure. Bike locks are provided and you can get the combination to the locks from the sales staff. For your safety please where a helmut when riding.

For information on routes, rules, safety, commuting and more check out the bicycle section of 511.org. and the East Bay Bicycle Coalition.
A special thanks to BACKROADS for their assistance and generosity.

KQED SPARK program features Westerhout, photographer, at the Oakland Train Station

Spark follows photographer Katherine Westerhout inside a forgotten West Oakland landmark -- the 16th Street Train Station. Once the terminus of the Transcontinental Railroad, this Beaux Arts gem located just down the street from the Pacific Cannery Lofts is part of the Central Station development of West Oakland.

Westerhout's photographs are a selection from an ongoing series of urban landscapes that focus on interior spaces of abandoned buildings in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. For more information and a preview of this episode please check the Spark site.

You can view the spark episode at the following times:

KQED TV9/HD
Wed Apr. 1, 2009 -- 7:30 pm
Thur Apr. 2, 2009 -- 1:30 am
Fri Apr. 3, 2009 -- 11:30 pm
Sat Apr. 4, 2009 -- 5:30 am

KQED Life
Sat Apr. 4, 2009 -- 2:00 pm
Sun Apr. 5, 2009 -- 11:00 am

Produced by KQED Public Television, Spark is about Bay Area artists and arts organizations -- it is a weekly television show, an educational outreach program and a website. More than a showcase for art objects and the artists who make them, Spark takes the audience inside the creative process to witness the challenges, opportunities and rewards of making art.

The Grove at Pacific Cannery Lofts

The linear garden at The PCL Grove connects the cannery building to the new Cooling Shed Townhouses. Musa basjoo, Banana trees, Papyrus, Bamboo, and Chinese Lantern border a 250-foot long permeable crushed stone walk. Groundcover plantings of Rubus, and Anenome can also be seen in this area. All ground floor living units facing the grove have semi-private outdoor terrace areas where residents may embellish their own homes with individual plantings and furnishings. Yet another beautiful outdoor space created by the Miller Company in conjunction with Holliday Development.

History in the Gardens

Throughout the project, Miller Company has sited historic elements saved from the original cannery building into the garden areas. In the western entry area historic cast iron wheels, magnificent survivors of the industrial age from the ice making machinery, have been mounted as a sculptural reminder of what once was at the heart of the building. At the eastern end of the Entry Dining Courtyard the factory's original industrial scale, originally used to weigh cans before being loaded onto trains, is placed at the building entrance. Miller Company also incorporated antique switchgear, valves, and gauges now repurposed throughout the project marking underground pipes. Finally, electrical panels from the original cannery are placed at the end of each courtyard. Take a stroll through the grounds and enjoy!

What's with all the MUD!

It's hard not to notice all the mud on the sales office side of the Pacific Cannery Lofts, especially now that it is being worked and evened out. Curious about what is happening there? We again look to the fine work of Jeff Miller and his Landscape company who are preparing that entire area for a burst of color in the spring. The now primed soil will be peppered with California wildflower and native plant seeds. In this mixture are blossoms that will spring forth at different times throughout the year. So what are they waiting for?....a dry spell... to spread the seed mixture. If the soil is too wet the seeds will rot instead of grow. So keep you eye on the mud. Once the seeds are sown it won't take long for the color to bloom.

Brown Sugar Kitchen News!

Did you see the food section in today's (March 1) Chronicle. If not, take a look and you will see an article about the fresh spin on soul food featuring Tanya Holland and the bustling Brown Sugar Kitchen. Tanya's delicious dishes are based on specialties from African American kitchens but use local free range poultry and California grass fed beef along with yams and other produce from local organic farms. This application of French culinary style and a more polished presentation is taking the West Oakland community and beyond by storm.
Brown Sugar Kitchen has also just been voted Best Soul Food in Oakland, in the upcoming May issue of Oakland Magazine's "Best of" issue. BSK has truly become an anchor in the budding community of West Oakland. If you haven't already indulged..........need I say more!

Green Thumb Artist

If you have walked through the Pacific Cannery Lofts you have undoubtedly experienced the beautiful landscaping, courtyards, historic items and seating areas that make the Pacific Cannery Lofts the place you want to live and hang out. Holliday Development has always put serious thought into what makes the difference between a "project" and a "community" and part of that answer is accessibility to inviting outside space where residents, their friends and pets can get to know each other. No one is better at designing and landscaping these spaces than Jeff Miller and his staff at The Miller Company. Jeff is one of the few landscape architects who has explored and mastered landscape design as a way of improving living conditions in urban areas. He has worked his magic on many previous HD projects including the Lofts at 18th and Arkansas in SF, Emeryville Warehouse in Emeryville, and Iron Horse Lofts in Walnut Creek. In the next few blogs I will be covering different aspects of Jeff's work on our gardens and relaying the thought process behind the landscape art. We are so lucky to have Jeff working his green thumb art at PCL.

Jones on "Spin Cycle"

Jones' first bath at the Pacific Cannery Lofts Laundramutt! The dog washing station is open 24/7 to all residents and their pets. Given the rain we are getting I expect it to be a busy place.
Wear a raincoat if you dog goes on spin cycle like Jones!

Brown Sugar Kitchen Celebrates It's First Birthday

Just a year ago today (January 15th) Tanya Holland, chef and owner of Brown Sugar Kitchen, opened her New Style Soul Restaurant on Mandela Parkway in West Oakland. Soul is the key word here as it applies not only to the fabulous food served, but the way the food is prepared and served, and the community that dines there. BSK has become this magical melting pot of food and spirit that marks the heart of the West Oakland community. Walk in anyday (or more likely...take a place in line while enjoying a cup of Blue Bottle Coffee) and you will find a buzz from the variety of people who are indulging in BSK culinary delights. The restaurant name, Brown Sugar Kitchen, was explained in last November's Oakbook Magazine article entitled, "Oakland's Got Soul Food" and is worth repeating here. Tanya liked the word "Kitchen" for starters and "Brown Sugar" is a euphemism for an African American woman in addition to being one of Tanya's favorite ingredients. Her hope was to bring something positive to her own neighborhood and a city that she loves. Well Tanya.....you have done it! Happy Birthday from all of us at Holliday Development! We will all be in for some cake soon!

Bookmark it! Prescott-Oakland Point Blog

I recently went back to check the Oakland Prescott Blog created by Marcus Johnson. I hadn't been there for a while and was amazed at the amount of updated information that is gathered there. From art to culinary interests, from getting around by bus, train, bike or walking, to up to date events in the area....it is all there on this one blog. Easy to navigate and ever growing I would strongly suggest bookmarking this site and visiting it often.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please send a email to blogger, Marcus Johnson and put "POPNA" in subject line.

West Oakland Looks to SoMa's revival model

The Novemeber 21-27 SF Business Times featured an article paralleling the current changes in West Oakland to the revival of the South of Market area of San Francisco in the late 80's. This neighborhood transformed from an under utilized industrial zone to a booming office and residential district. Rick Holliday had a large hand in the SoMa revival as he developed three of the first San Francisco loft buildings in this area, 601 4th Street, followed by 355 Bryant Street and the Clocktower Lofts on Second Street. Rick and many other developers including Pulte Homes and Bridge Housing believe that West Oakland is on the cusp. Read more

Oakland is Yummy

With Oakland being the home to brands such as Del Monte Foods, Granny Goose, and Mothers Cakes and Cookies, it has been able to distinguish itself as a city with some serious culinary roots. The epicurean character of Oakland has not only sustained itself, but has expanded to include dozens of other local businesses such as Numi Teas, Revolution Foods and Blue Bottle Cofee. And now, you can experience the "yummy" character of Oakland by taking the Oakland Waterfront Foodtrail, a tour that guides you through Oakland's culinary businesses by bike or foot. Learn more here, and get a real taste of Oakland!

Rick Holliday Interview in the SF Business Times

An executive profile of Developer Rick Holliday of Holliday Development was published in the October 17 - 23, 2008 edition of the San Francisco Business Times. The tag line on the front page was..."How Bay Area developer Rick Holliday stays aloft". Many people don't realize that Rick's career roots were in affordable housing and that he was the founder of Eden Housing in Hayward and co-founder of BRIDGE housing in San Francisco where he currently serves as Chairman of the Board. After leaving BRIDGE he became one of the first developers to turn in-fill sites into live/work lofts and residential projects in the South of Market area. Having build 16 residential developments throughout the Bay Area Rick is now focused on projects in Truckee, Sacramento, West Oakland and San Francisco. Read Ricks interview in the SF Business Times by clicking here.

Art @ Pacific Cannery Lofts

Last Friday night the Pacific Cannery Lofts came alive with activity as 30 local artists displayed their work. The art included sculptures, paintings, metal works, collage, fashion and music. The food was provided by Brown Sugar Kitchen, the new "PLACE TO EAT" in Oakland. Pulled pork and vegetable sandwiches followed by individual pecan pies where examples of the delicious fare. The music touched on both Jazz and fabulous violin music accompanied by drums and guitar. Hardly a foot was able to keep from moving!

We will keep you posted of future events in the courtyards of the Pacific Cannery Loft!

Art @ Pacific Cannery Lofts

WEST OAKLAND AT THE MOMENT celebrates thirty artists that live or work within a three block radius of the Pacific Cannery Lofts. Exploring the mediums of paint, sculpture, and fashion, these artists express the spirit and diversity of West Oakland through their art.

"West Oakland at the Moment" continues
Art @ the Cannery, a 6 month rotating exhibition of local and regional art. Join us October 3rd for a night of food, drink, art and music to celebrate and discover the artists and entrepreneurs that make-up this diverse community.

6pm Friday, October 3rd at Pacific Cannery Lofts 1199 Pine Street, Oakland

Courtyard to Courtyard

Last week we celebrated the completion of the main courtyard at the Pacific Cannery Lofts as well as the 20 year anniversary of Holliday Development.

To celebrate the potential of what we believe to be our best work to date, we shined a light on the history one of our past projects, the Clocktower Lofts.

The Clocktower has a similar design, the same development team, and also sold in the face of a tough real estate market almost 20 years ago. The Clocktower and Pacific Cannery also hug opposite ends of the Bay Bridge, located just 5 miles apart from each other. While people originally bought lofts at the Clocktower for $200,000 - $250,000 that are now worth 3-4 times that amount, we are now bringing the Pacific Cannery Lofts to the market from $250,000 as well.

To celebrate the communities and the value, Don Bleu of Star 101.3 who has a personal tie to the Clocktower, joined us to host the event. Shuttles took people between the two projects where parties were going on at each location, allowing people to see firsthand how the buildings are just 10 minutes apart, have similar feels, and how an almost identical loft at the Pacific Cannery is as much as $500,000 less than its Clocktower counterpart.

View a slideshow of the event here, and stop by soon to see the finished courtyards at the Cannery.

The Velo Lounge Revs Up

The Cannery has been buzzing with excitement as it approaches its final stages: finished landscaping, lights in the courtyard....it just seems like yesterday when the scaffolding was up and humming with construction workers.

And now thanks to our fellow bike enthusiasts at Backroads, Pacific Cannery Lofts has snagged some Cannondale bikes to be housed in the Velo Lounge, and welcomed its first batch this week! Whether going to BART, Whole Foods, Brown Sugar Kitchen or Raimondi Park, these bikes will be available for cruising the scenic roads of Oakland. Already have a bike? Not a problem, the Velo Lounge will also serve as bike storage/maintenance where you can meet other fellow bikers at Pacific Cannery Lofts.

Grand Re-Opening at Ernie Raimondi Park

On Sunday Oct. 5th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. there will be a grand re-opening ceremony at Ernie Raimondi Park located at 1700 Wood St. in West Oakland. The event will feature many local sports teams and include a free soccer clinic for youth, a football scrimmage, a cheerleading demonstration and local baseball leagues. In addition, there will be ongoing activities for all including music, food, face painting and informational tables. A special program will be held at 1 p.m. to recognize all those involved in bringing Phase 1 to fruition. We invite you to attend this celebration and share in the festivities. This will be a fun filled event for the entire family and a great way to learn more about your local parks and Oakland community. If you have any questions about the celebration feel free to call or email either Kathy Raymond, Executive Director of Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation, at 510-465-1850 or oaklandparks@sbcglobal.net or Marguerite Hinrichs, Special Events/Marketing Coordinator for the City of Oakland Office of Parks and Recreation at 510-238-2082 or mhinrichs@oaklandnet.com. We look forward to seeing you at the Park!

Photo Update

View from the Signature Model just after sunset. The loft looks over the port, the bay, and towards downtown San Francisco and Angel Island.

Emory Douglas at the Pacific Cannery Lofts

Village Bottoms Cultural District and the Black New World Presents:

BLACK PANTHER
the culture of ministry of
EMORY DOUGLAS

in collaborations with and curated by
Marcel Diallo

August 22, 2008 - Sept 26, 2008

Pacific Cannery Lofts,1200 Pine Street, Oakland ART @ THE CANNERY

Opening Night Reception
Friday Aug. 22 @ 7pm
A conversation with Emory Douglas
A performance by Marcel Diallo & co.
Plus a special cultural presentation

Prints and Books available on site
510.451.4661 BlackNewWorld.com

Sculpture by Bruce Beasley in Beijing

Bruce Beasley, Local West Oakland resident and world renown sculptor calls his piece at the Beijing Olympics "Gathering of the Moons". Although it brings Olympic Rings to mind he started playing with these shapes long before he got the commission in Beijing. The discs made of steel slicing into each other have a certain dynamism and movement as described by Mr. Beasley but beyond that he will let the sculpture speak for itself. The actual piece was first designed digitally with 3-D software and then formed out of plastic. This piece along with other Beasley designs was manufactured and assembled in China but unlike others this one stayed in China.

Mr. Beasley has commissions all over the world and those of you who fly to the Olympics from San Francisco will see his amazing art at the beginning and end of your journey, both in the SF airport and at one of the Olympic Parks......ENJOY!

Photo Highlight - Sunset at the Lofts

Tuesday night was not only a nice summer evening, but it created quite a glow around the Cannery. This shot by Nancy Holliday is looking down the main courtyard. Once the courtyard is complete, it too will have its own glow with lights softly illuminating the sides of the walkway.

Prescott/Oakland Point/Central Station Community Neighborhood Block Party

COME MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS!

National Night Out is the nation's night out against crime. Sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, residents are encouraged to join with their neighbors to have a neighborhood block party, ice cream social or other outdoor event to build neighborhood spirit and unity - which is the first defense against crime. Research shows that when neighbors know each other and look out for each other crime goes down.

Oakland's National Night Out is on Tuesday, August 5, 2008 between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm at the intersection of 12th and Pine St. adjacent to the Pacific Cannery Lofts. Please bring you favorite food or snack to add to the shared refreshments.

For additional information please contact Marcus Johnson, Prescott NCPC (Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council)
at 510 290 8300

For information on this national event go to http://www.oaklandnet.com/nno2008.html

Time Trials 5 - Can't Fail Cafe to Pacific Cannery Lofts

A Time Trials Exclusive: Watch JT cruise back to the Pacific Cannery Lofts on his bike after enjoying some "Combat Mac 'n Cheese" at Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe in Emeryville, across the street from town hall and Pixar. How long does it take him to get home?

Shake it with Metro Station

Metro Station rocked out at the Pacific Cannery Lofts with a private concert for 50 lucky guests this afternoon.

Before playing a full concert in Berkeley tonight, the band stopped by for an E-Room event put together by Energy 92.7. Radio listeners over the past week were able to win VIP tickets to attend the show and meet the band.

While we couldn't accommodate their request for a free loft, we did let them know they can own for less than $2,000 a month. They said they'd be back after selling a few more albums, of which we wish them the best of luck as they continue to cruise up the top hits list, currently number 7 on the Billboard Top 40 and also on the iTunes top 10 most downloaded songs.

The event was a great start for the Third Space at the Pacific Cannery Lofts, a cornerstone space that will be home to many more artists of all kinds down the line.

Time to come back for a visit

A lot has been happening onsite, and now is the time to comeback for a visit at the Pacific Cannery. The update below from Rick Holliday gives a sense for everything that's been happening, and it is already out of date!

Fire Arts Festival

I was there on Friday night, at the Fire Arts Festival put on by the Crucible in West Oakland. This was a celebration of creativity through fire and light.

This scorching showcase of fire performance is the largest collection of fire and light installations on the West Coast. The Fire Vortex by Nate Smith, pictured here, was a stream of fire spun around by well placed fans reaching up towards the height of the BART tracks. I kept wondering what the people riding BART were thinking as they looked down on this fire vortex and all the other blazing pieces of art. The proceeds from the festival provide critical funding for the Crucible's arts and education programs for all ages from 8 up. Classes include anything from blacksmithing and ceramics to glass, foundry, jewelry making and working with neon and light. You can find out more about this incredible art opportunity at www.thecrucible.org. Check it out!

More Young Talent

You may have seen a young Brazilian woman carrying a tripod and camera bag around the Pacific Cannery Lofts lately. She is Carmen Campos, a masters student at Academy of Art College in San Francisco. She is "shooting" the lofts inside and out and we will be displaying her work on our website gallery once she is finished.

Carmen comes from Sao Paulo, Brazil where she completed her undergraduate degree in advertising at McKenzie University and a graduate degree in Film and Television Business at Fundação Getulio Vargas-SP. Keep tuned for her images popping up her and there.

Discover

Discover the stories and pictures that follow the Cannery from its days as the Pacific Coast Canning Company to its rebirth as the Pacific Cannery Lofts. This online gallery brings together some of the best imagery from the different stages of the Cannery's life.

The building flourished 100 years ago with over a thousand workers, provided shelter for refugees of the 1906 earthquake, and was a source of food for troops during World War I. While it closed up during the Great Depression, the legacy of the Pacific Coast Cannery lives on.

It's history has never been forgotten as nearly 40 family members of the original founder, Lew Hing, were at the Cannery for a tour just a week ago. The family has not only provided great support to the rebirth of the building, but they have also played an integral role in helping us be able to hone and tell the story of Lew Hing and the Pacific Coast Cannery.

Again, I encourage to take a minute and enjoy the online gallery.

Budding Photographer visits Pacific Cannery Lofts

Budding Photographer Rosanna Anson Vazquez, who has generously agreed to display her most recent works in our signature loft, visited to view her works in the recently installed model and was thrilled with the results. She was amazed at the amount of light in the unit and to see her works in such a "cool" setting. Keep tuned as we will be having an evening wine and cheese event to meet the artist including many of her fellow photography friends and professors. For a preview of her works check out www.rusansonphotography.com.
I have found so many young talented artists to work with in a number of projects over the past few years. Thanks to all the new young talent out there.

Live Green, Make Money

We'll spend more time elaborating on some of the green elements at the Pacific Cannery Lofts, but Yahoo! News reported yesterday on a growing trend about saving money by living in smart locations. With gas and energy prices skyrocketing, the financial impact of heavy transit is obviously adding up quickly. Being centrally located, both for having short trips to get where you need to go and for having multiple public transit options, can result in saving hundreds of dollars a month. That money adds up quick, and the location at the Pacific Cannery Lofts is about as central as it gets. The article highlights one buyer that was able to take his savings on car and gas expenses and use it to cross the threshold into homeownership. Also highlighted is research that is showing that well located homes near public transit are "selling faster and at better prices."

As one interviewee states: "When we decided that we were going to make a move we basically put a dot in the middle of the map where my office is and said, `We are not going to live farther than essentially a 20-minute circle around that,'" Bulkeley said.

Bulkeley's logic makes sense, and so does being in a location is less than 20 minutes to downtown San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley by almost any mode of transportation.

We've mentioned often that the Cannery is next to the 16th Street Train Station, the terminus of the Transcontinental Railroad...this point used to be the center of all major raillines and was chosen because of its central location, and that type of connectedness to infrastructure (now in the form of all major freeways, bike paths, and BART) is as true today as it was 100 years ago.

PCL Haiku Corner

For all our clients, loft owners and friends who have ever dabbled in poetry, or wanted to...this is your chance. I like writing Haiku poetry while commuting by ferry and Bart to the sales office here on site at Pacific Cannery. Yesterday, as I arrived and saw the building without all its scaffolding, I wrote the following:

Purple walls rising
from dust and dreams and labor-
Lofts born of rubble.

Then I thought there might be someone else who would like to join me in a Loft Haiku corner. So, a haiku poem is three lines, consisting of 5 syllables in the first line, 7 syllables in the second line and five syllables in the third line.
Anyone else want to join me? Trust me, it is fun!

Saving Gas?

Yahoo! news reports that some workers are taking an opportunity to switch to 4 day work weeks to save money on commutes. The article focuses first on custodians that are actually choosing to not work a 5th day at all given their commuting costs, but certainly people able to work from home are more likely to start exercising that option more and more.

Based out of a location like the Pacific Cannery Lofts, I know my commuting would literally drop in half. The central location and access to public transit helps that cause, but the more exciting option is the zero commute: with entrepreneurs and live-workers looking to be a part of the Pacific Cannery community, a commute can be as simple as walking down the stairs. Investing those savings can amount to several thousands of dollars a year.

Raimondi Park Looking Good

After many months of construction (which is still continuing), Raimondi Park is looking great.

The park is over 10 acres and is named after Ernie Raimondi, a local hero and baseball player that grew up just blocks away.

The redevelopment will include 2 soccer/football fields, a baseball diamond, tot lot, picnic area, putting green, and more. The park is located just across the street from Central Station and is an exciting redevelopment for the area. The Oakland Oaks used to practice on the fields, and before construction began the fields were regularly bustling with kids sports games, drawing players from all over the area.

Bike Lounge Moving Forward

The Velo Lounge at the Pacific Cannery Lofts is built-out with furniture, workstands, worktops, and more.

Some final pieces are yet to come, including the bike racks, but the workspace is looking great. I'm already looking forward to spending afternoons tuning up my bike and relaxing on the couch...instead of my current challenge of trying to tune my bike while not covering my living room in grease.

More surprises are yet to come to the bike lounge, so stay tuned for its grand opening. We'll be posting some of our favorite rides on the bulletin board in the lounge, so if you've got any favorites you want included, let us know.

Right Before Your Eyes

We have been using our Pacific Cannery Lofts renderings for months to help those interested to picture the look and feel of this unique loft community. As you can see, those rendering will very soon be obsolete as we are heading for the finish line at PCL. The sidewalks, hallways and gardens are now going in as we begin to wrap up these future homes.

Here at Holliday Development we are thoroughly enjoying watching these finishing touches become a reality instead of a two dimensional image. Check out the insert on the attached rendering. That is a recent picture of the real thing!

Progress on the Courtyards

Progress on the courtyards is moving along. We posted a few weeks ago about the palm trees being craned in, as were the concrete benches and tables in the center of the courtyard.

More paving and landscaping is underway, but the courtyard is already really taking shape. Yesterday we enjoyed the warm weather for a few minutes by relaxing on the benches.

The third courtyard, which we'll post about soon, is just as serene but with a very different feel. Slatted-wood pathways warm that third courtyard, creating a contrast to the stone pathways in this Living Room courtyard.

In the spirit of Bike to Work Day

In the spirit of Bike to Work Day, which is coming up on Thursday, I want to give a quick kudos to Topeak Cycling products. I've long been using their JoeBlow Pro floor-pump, which up until last week has been great. Last Monday morning when my car was in the shop and I decided to ride my bike into work, my pump broke. The head of the pump was leaking air, and I was left with two flat tires.

I had no idea what the warranty information was, but I was able to open a support ticket online saying that air was leaking from the head of the pump. I had a respone within 3 minutes saying that a new head was in the mail, and by Wednesday my pump was as good as new. No questions, no proof of purchase, no shipping and handling charge, just an immediate fix....pretty impressive in my book (and now on bike to work day I won't have flat tires).

I'm now thinking we might need to have one of these installed in the bike lounge at the Pacific Cannery.

511 Bike Mapper

This is directly from the BIKE MAPPER website that is part of bicycling.511.org.

What a great tool for getting around on a bike and figuring out your route for Bike to Work Day on May 15th. Check it out and go for a ride.

Welcome to the Bay Area’s resource for bicycling information. Here you’ll find the new 511 BikeMapper, route maps, locations of lockers and racks, information on how to take your bike on public transit and across Bay Area toll bridges, how to ride safely in traffic, tips on commuting, bicycle resources and more.

New to biking? Register with the 511 Ridematch Tool to find a Bike Buddy and start today!

Rosanna Anson Vazquez, Photographer

You will be treated to a number of Rosanna's surrealistic photographic works in the new Pacific Cannery Lofts model, a Signature Loft, opening next week. Rosanna comes to us on a full scholarship to the MFA program at the Art Academy from Barcelona Spain. Growing up in an artistic family Rosanna began her college studies in advertising but followed her artistic passion and switched to graphic design where she explored the world of shapes , colors, and drawing both by hand and on the computer. Moving on to study at the Llotja School of Arts in Barcelona she found work with a fashion photographer and was fascinated more by the photo shoot itself than the art. Shooting with a "point and shoot" camera she entered her own work into the El Pais Photography competition and won first prize which was a Canon 30D camera. Since then she has not stopped shooting. Winning the scholarship to San Francisco has allowed Rosanna to live her dream. She wishes to entertain people with her surrealistic photos and to get their minds off hard times. The actual photograph is only the first step in her art form. The image is later manipulated in order to create different dreamscapes. Changing color, and applying additional images all come together to create the incredible surrealism of her work. You can view her work at her flickr site and of course at our new Signature Loft Model at Pacific Cannery Lofts.

One Huge Crane

What kind of crane does it take to lift palm trees over tall buildings? Well they have what you need at Hatton Cranes.
The crane pictured here, which is the one used to move trees at Pacific Cannery Lofts, is the largest mobile crane made and a permit is needed every time it is moved. This is a 500 Ton Hydraulic All Terrain Crane with a
197' Main Boom
276' Luffing Boom
With "All Wheel steer"

The tires on this rig were as tall as I am(just over 5') and there were at least 10 of them. The people from Hatton were amazing with their precision and placement of the trees. Although it was a very windy day the trees were lifted over the building and placed bulls eye into 4' x 4' holes that the crane operator could not even see. (He had a 40ft tall building in between himself and the holes.) Standing in the courtyard was another Hatton team member with a walkie talkie directing the crane operator's every move. Hats off to the Hatton/Miller team. "LIKE BUTTA!"

Flying Palm Trees!

So how did they get those 3500 lb palm trees up over the 40ft high Pacific Cannery Lofts building and into the three courtyards. Under the watchful eye of Jeff Miller of Miller Company Landscape Architects these trees and the concrete garden furniture were craned up and over the building and lowered into a previously prepared 4' x 4' x 4' hole. As the tree was precisely placed in the hole, the Miller Company's team held it in place while dirt was tossed around the root ball to hold the tree upright in its new home. These Mexican Fan Palms, that were in the ground in Arizona just two days prior, were trucked to the site at PCL. Their leaves are tied in a upright position to aid nutrition to the roots for a healthy transition to their new home at the Pacific Cannery Lofts. For more pictures please visit the PCL photoblog in the next few weeks as we have many amazing photos to share from this event. WOW!

New Eats Come to Town

Another pair of SF restaurateurs has ventured across the bay to bring some new dining to Oakland. They add to a growing number of entrepreneurs that see the growing opportunities in Oakland without having to pay the San Francisco price tag of running their business. Located in Jack London Square just about a mile and a half from the Pacific Cannery Lofts, Mono in getting a lot of buzz from foodies around the Bay Area. As written by Eater SF, "Now several weeks into dinner service, Mono is the brainchild of the husband-and-wife team of Todd Wilson and Eloisa Castillo and the latest in Oakland's steady rise to dining prominence. The space, inspired by the couple's industrial loft down the street, seats no more than a few dozen, but there's an outdoor patio for those sunny days and the seasonal menu is available at the horseshoe bar as well." The food, as described by the owners, is "globally inspired small plates and wine."

You can read more about Mono from the Oakland Tribune, NovoMetro, or see customer reviews at Yelp.

Bikes on Bart

I have noticed more and more people riding bikes to work and around urban settings. Expect this number to increase even more as home owners begin to move into the Pacific Cannery Lofts in a couple of months. With a short bike ride to West Oakland BART many future home owner will be "biking and barting" to work and play.

Bikes are allowed in any BART car but the first car of a train. There are restrictions during commute hours for standard bikes but folding bikes are allowed on BART at all times. For more information on Bart Bike Rules check out
http://www.bart.gov/guide/bikes/bikerules.asp.
Please come by the Pacific Cannery Lofts sales office to check out two different types of folding bikes made by Dahon. One has 20"wheels and the other is full size. Both fold easily and are light enough to roll or carry. Happy riding and "keep the rubber side down!"

Mexican Fan Palms in the PCL Courtyards!

Eight, 25ft Mexican Fan Palms, (Washingtonia robusta), were placed into the courtyards at the Pacific Cannery Lofts last week. These trees weigh approximately 3500 pounds each and will grow high enough to clear the 40ft building. The gray trunk is ringed with closely set leaf scars although usually at least part of the trunk remains covered with dead leaves that hang in a thatch. The solitary trunk, about 10-12 in in diameter, bulges at the ground and becomes slender as it approaches a crown of large palmate leaves with gracefully drooping leaflet tips. These are rich glossy green and grow to about 5 ft long and 4 ft wide. They are borne on 3 ft (0.9 m) orange leaf stems that are edged with sharp sawtooth spines.

In addition the concrete benches and tables were also set in the courtyards so you can now start to see what a wonderful space this will be.

Now I know what you are thinking....how do they get the trees, and concrete furniture over the building and into the courtyards if they weigh so much. You can find out in our next blog where we will share this incredible process.

West Oakland Branch Library History

The West Oakland Branch Library is the oldest branch in the system, established in 1878. After occupying 4 other sites, the library branch relocated to the current facility in 1979. West Oakland Branch Library is situated on the corner of 18th & Adeline St. - across from DeFremery Park and Recreation Center and the West Oakland Senior Center."

According to UC Berkeley Librarian Suzanne Calpestri, the existence of a library provides clear evidence that West Oakland's rich history was about a community that believed it would be well served by having an educated and literate population.

West Oakland has approximately 35,000 books, compact disks, videos, DVDs, audio books, audiocassettes and magazines and newspapers for all ages. Circulating materials are largely of popular interest with a strong emphasis on practical how-to topics and local history. Special-Interest collections include the African American Collection, a Small Business Collection, Careers and College section, a Lesbian /Gay/ Bisexual/transgender Collection, and Spanish Language Materials for children and adults. West Oakland has an extensive children's section focused on providing early literacy materials to children and their parents as well as a growing teen collection.

For more information visit their website at:
http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/Branches/West/index.htm

A little bike maintenance

NovoMetro wrote a great piece, Messing with Bikes, on some of the free workshops in Oakland for bike maintenance. Oakland is a great place for commuting by bike, especially given how many places you can easily get to on flat roads or by hopping on BART for a commute into the city.

I'm a perfect candidate for one of these workshops as I love to bike, often ride to work, but really don't know too much more than the basics when it comes to good bike maintenance and repair (I have been spoiled for years by having a good friend that is also a bike fanatic, so I always have eager hands to turn to for a tune-up). As the article points out, however, bikes are pretty simply machines, so it is worth taking a few minutes to learn the basics.

With the bike lounge that we're building at the Pacific Cannery Lofts, we'll be sure to include a good work-stand for keeping your bike in shape. Perhaps more importantly, we'll be looking to offer some free workshops hosted at the bike lounge so even people like me can get the benefit of it.

Let the Landscaping Begin!

Work on fhe first of our three courtyards began this week. With the scaffolding down, the green light was given for the landscaping crews to get their work underway with plants, shrubs, greenery, palms trees, and hardscape. For the past few weeks our landscape architect has rented out a shop that is half a block away from the Pacific Cannery Lofts, and they have been forming and pouring concrete benches and furniture for the courtyard. Sometime either next week or the week after the palm trees will be craned in and planted - we'll keep you posted as the work progresses. Soon people will have a much better understanding of why one of our models, the Courtyard Loft, has its name - thus far visitors have had to look out windows onto scaffolding and plastic coverings instead of trees and greenery, which can be a challenge for even the most imaginitive minds.




The view outside the courtyard model now can be seen below:

And when it is done, it will look a little more like this:

SF Chronicle - The Live-Work Concept Evolves

Last week the feature story of the San Francisco Chronicle's 'At Home' section highlighted the latest live-work concepts and projects, focusing in part on the Pacific Cannery Lofts.

"The live/work concept evolves to fit the needs of a new brand of consumer. Whether it's living where you work or working where you live, proximity to public transit is an integral component of new loft and mixed-use construction."

On the Cannery, the article focuses on how the location (270 BART trains a day to San Francisco in less than 10 minutes), the custom upgrades for defining the space, the bike lounge, and the opportunity to have a public and a private entry to a space all create a more functional and more interesting live-work space that is centrally located in a transit hub.

You can see the whole article here: Live_Work_Chronicle.pdf

Live-work buildings create the foundation for a great community, whether you are just there to live or just there to work. We can speak firsthand about the community at the Clocktower Lofts, where several entrepreneurs made their start (including Holliday Development), and many others make their home. And at the Cannery with the opportunity to own for less than $2,000 a month, the rent/buy comparison makes sense for apartment space and office space alike.

Is Oakland the Next Brooklyn? (Part 2...)

We made a first post a few weeks ago comparing Oakland to Brooklyn, raising the question of whether Oakland is beginning to have the same relationship to San Francisco that Brooklyn has to Manhattan. With so much going on in Oakland, and a location like that of the Pacific Cannery Lofts that is only 10 minutes away from downtown SF, it almost seems inevitable.

This past weekend, the New York Times published some similar thoughts in their article, "Sisters in Idiosyncrasy." They go on to say:

"that the populations drawn to both areas by alternative art and music scenes, and by a tolerance for diversity, were looking for a “messy urbanism, a clash of different styles that Brooklyn still retains, that the East Bay still retains.”

Other communities across the country also fit this bill, but what Brooklyn and the East Bay share is proximity to more cosmopolitan centers — Manhattan and San Francisco — where the “creative class,” many of whom are freelancers, can earn a living.

“You can make money in both cities,” Ms. Levine said. “Can you make money in Portland, Ore.? It’s a cool city, it’s got lots of hipsters, but can you make money?”

Roger Guenveur Smith, an actor who has been “flowing in and out” of the Bay Area and Brooklyn since the late 1980s, said the two areas are similar in the relationship that Brooklyn has to Manhattan, and Oakland and Berkeley have to San Francisco: one of interest and curiosity, but also independence."

You can view the entire article here

Paint'n Time

Gallons and gallons of EnviroKote, an environmentally friendly primer, are stacked up as painting gets well underway.

As we'd mentioned before, some scaffolding is starting to come down throughout the Cannery. One of the 3 courtyards has the scaffolding down and is within a week of having the landscape installation begin....that means hundreds of shrubs, groundcover plants, and even palm trees.

Also shown below is the Grove, what will be a richly landscaped pathway that meanders between the original Cannery building and the new townhomes. This Grove is perfectly suited to become the home to a commercial row of live-work owners, with the ability to have a client entrance on one side and a private entry from inside of the building.

GREEN HOUSE GOSSIP

You may have noticed that there is now a green house on the property in front of the sales office.
This structure was donated to People's Grocery, a non profit organization focusing on solving the community food and health needs of West Oakland by growing fresh fruit and vegetables, organically and locally.
I was able to walk into the green house the other day and it was like a steam bath in there. Rows of small plants, including 30+ varieties of tomatoes, are being incubated here and will then be transferred to People's Grocery's two acre farm in Sunol. They will then be packed into a SOUL box (Sustainable, Organic, Unprocessed and Local) and redistributed to residents in West Oakland. Peoples Grocery also has programs on healthy cooking, urban agriculture, nutrition and more. Please check them out at http://peoplesgrocery.org/

How do you value 10 minutes?

In 1991, Holliday Development developed 601 4th Street, also designed by David Baker + Partners. These lofts sold amid a tough market and an even tougher neighborhood, as SOMA was yet to see much of its revitalization.

Originally the average sales price on these lofts was $285,000. Today, we just saw a listing for one of the penthouse homes for $1.959 million. As noted on SocketSite, this is a "truly unique San Francisco Space and Penthouse."

Now that the Holliday-Baker team has turned to the Pacific Cannery Lofts, the opportunity is here for another truly unique space by the same team, this time located just on the other side of the bridge, about 10 minutes away (and for about $1.5 million less than this penthouse).

Wave GOODBYE to the Scaffolding (or at least some of it)

This is when it gets exciting. The scaffolding at PCL is starting to come down, revealing the building one elevation at