West Oakland Train Station

The major residential and commercial development project proposed for the West Oakland Train Station site -- known officially as the Wood Street Project -- was recommended for approval by the Oakland Planning Commission on March 16th. It next goes before the Community and Economic Development (CED) Committee of the City Council on Tuesday April 12th. The Train Station Coalition has already won two victories in the process: (1) the Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Baggage Wing of the Train Station not be demolished and (2) the developers of the Project have agreed to add affordable housing. Both of these victories are contingent on funding from the Oakland Redevelopment Agency, but they are important victories nonetheless considering the developers have until now steadfastly refused to consider either alternative as acceptable. A complete staff report with attachments detailing the project as recommended by the Planning Commission is available on the CED Committee's agenda, available at http://www.oaklandnet.com/government/council/agendas-calendars.cfm. Click on "On-Line Meeting Agendas" and search for the CED Committee meeting on April 12, 2005.