Herron Hill Laboratory Building (left); Frazier Field House (right)
It’s been one year since the City Planning Commission adopted The Oakland Plan, a 10-year roadmap for our neighborhood’s future—and plans are moving forward to make some of its programs and projects a reality.
One thing that emerged from the nearly two-year planning process was the need for community service hubs. Oakland doesn’t offer much in the way of “third spaces” that could support community programming. The Plan’s vision is for hubs that provide space for programs and resources like Wi-Fi, senior care, child care, and other services.
The Oakland Plan identified three city-owned facilities that could be adapted or rehabbed for the purpose: Frazier Field House in South Oakland, the Herron Hill Pumping Station auxiliary building in North Oakland, and OPDC’s headquarters in Central Oakland.
A historical photo of Frazier Field House (click to expand)
All three have a rich history and a history of adaptive re-use. Frazier Field House was built in the 1950s to support the teams using the adjacent athletic fields. Today, it hosts community meetings and after-school programming for neighborhood kids. It is also adjacent to Frazier Farms, a thriving community garden.
The Herron Hill Pumping Station, a historic landmark built in the 1890s, is still a PWSA asset—but the auxiliary building and green space behind it is no longer needed by the authority. Kathy Gallagher, president of Bellefield Area Citizens Association, says that restoring the site for use as a community hub “addresses preservation as well as community building.”
OPDC’s offices are located in the former Central Oakland police station, a building the city also used as a community center. With some thoughtful upgrades, the space could be made available for that purpose again!
We’re collecting feedback to inform the Department of City Planning process. Comment on this blog, write to 294 Semple, email questions@opdc.org, or call Andrea Boykowycz at 412.621.7863 x217.