West Oakland Train Station moves closer to approval

Last night, the Community and Economic Development Committee of the Oakland City Council heard the development proposal for the 16th and Wood Street Train Station project. This is a mixed-use development that includes 1500+ residential units (approx. 90 of which will be affordable), some commercial and retail use, open space, and the re-use of the historic train station. The CED Committee forwaded the proposal to the Rules Committee with an eye towards possibly having a second public hearing on the matter at the next CED Committee meeting on April 26th. The full Council will consider the proposa on May 3rd.

The proposal now includes affordable housing and the preservation of nearly the entire train station (including the important baggage wing, where the Pullman Porters worked and organized their union). These were key demands of the Train Station Coalition.