I appreciate this partnership between the city of Oakland and neighborhood people who care about their city.

Mike Butler

thanks mike; we're getting lots of feedback and work on the street is positive. we are waiting for the city of Oakland to work with us on this opportunity. we can make a difference.

Dear Sir or Madam:

Thank you for your interest in the San Pablo Avenue median. Be advised that according to Public Works Management, San Pablo Avenue is a State Route which cannot be changed in any manner without the design of plans/specifications, review and final approval by the State (Caltrans) and the City of Oakland. Further, Public Works has determined that the location in question is near an intersection at a left turn lane. The City does not install landscaping near such intersections and in narrow medians due to liability issues. While we appreciate your concern and interest; unfortunately, there are no plans or funding to alter the concrete median at 61st Street and San Pablo Avenue.

Sincerely,
Public Works Agency Call Center
pwacallcenter@oaklandnet.com
(510) 615-5566

LOL. Not a surprise to resident of the neighborhood. Your argument betrays you; somehow it is not city jurisdiction, yet you go on to say, city does not install landscaping near such intersections". Its either within city jurisdiction or not; even so, the city is responsible for crime prevention efforts as these. Your response is evidence of gridlock; highlighting the only thing the city knows to do to address causes and conditions of crime, is to go the route of failure; add more cops to the beat. We can do better than this.

Dear Sir or Madam:

This request will be closed, as requests by Public Works Agency Building Services management.

Thank you.

Dear Sir or Madam:
This request will be opened, as requested by 27 citizens (27/97 viewers) to voted for change. Not engaging in dialogue with how to get consensus around this change is a roadblock. If you go north or south on this intersection for 3 blocks, you will find similar "narrow medians" with plantings in them; these are not liability issues; these are attempts by those cities (emeryville and berkeley) and their citizens to do exactly what we propose.

Thank you.

Dear Sir or Madam:

Be advised that there is no funding to pay for the development of plans and specifications needed to modify a median on San Pablo Avenue (State Route). Thank you for your interest.

Sincerely,

PWA Building Services Management
(510) 615-5566
pwacallcenter@oaklandnet.com

Dear Sir or Madam:
The statement, "no funding to pay" is not a true statement, though I get the routine perception there are no funds. It is true; there are funds available to support the citizens in our neighborhood to clean up the streets and make it nicer for everyone who lives and passes thru Oakland. In the past year, there have been 3 fatalities toward African American men within a block of this intersection; all this time, citizens have been calling on the city (well documented) to engage in cleaning up this area without sufficient response. Six months ago, we met with city counsel and the Building Services Management department to engage in this area; there were efforts with code violations, yet there have been no creative measures to support citizens here. It is unacceptable to suggest we support additional policing as a policy of prevention in our neighborhood, when the city is not engaging in citizen efforts to create prevention that works, but actually creating barriers and road blocks. This is not a matter of interest on my part toward a government entity; this is our neighborhood and it is an expectation the government engage beyond routine town hall meetings which serve to placate more so than create solutions. Yes, these are larger issues, but do help to give history and context to this simple request of citizens.

two dead bodies and three shot since this was first requested; can't count the number of shootings within less than a block of this location. last incident was a week ago which the mayor chose to highlight the shot spotter, but hey, we've been providing this same information without timely responses by PD AND we have provided these ideas to spur the city toward PREVENTION instead of murders, incarcerations of our communities. it is time for action on this street. there is no excuse for the cities incompetency on this issue.

I think we're fortunate that so much of San Pablo is graced with a landscaped medians that significantly beautify the urban landscape along this corridor. I'm not a fan of the aesthetics, but the lack of landscaping in the narrow median strips along turn lane cut outs is a necessary concession to visibility for turning traffic and pedestrian safety at those intersections. As we all know from other SCF threads (and experience) maintenance of urban landscaping is a low priority so even small foliage that doesn't seem like it would impede views has the potential for becoming a hazard if not professionally planned and maintained. So, while I agree in spirit with the OP's request to address blight in our neighborhood, I suggest we focus on the "lower hanging fruit" projects that have better chances of gaining traction with residents, business owners, and the City. There is a lot to be done.