Community Service Hubs in Oakland: What’s Next?

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.

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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.

Take the SPC transit survey by May 31

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) is asking public transit users to provide information about their use of public transit, including fare payment and trip-making behaviors.

SPC wants to hear from users of all public transit providers in southwestern PA—from large bus operators to small fixed-route or shared-ride shuttles.

The transit user survey will be open through May 31, 2023.

New POGOH stations coming to Oakland

Getting around with POGOH bikeshare is about to be easier than ever.

At their 2023 Community Coalition meeting, POGOH shared preliminary expansion plans for 2023—22 new stations, with several planned for Oakland.

While these locations are pending final approval, we’re excited for greater density in the bikeshare network, reduced traffic congestion, and improved air quality.

Think they’re still missing a great spot for a station? You can recommend one.

New CLT homes on Frazier Street!

Three of the four new CLT homes on Frazier Street; Lanita Lee, new homeowner on Frazier Street, with her husband

OPDC’s mission is to build a better Oakland and help neighbors thrive. In the case of the four new Oakland Community Land Trust (CLT) houses we built on Frazier Street, that mission is literal.

“We’re thrilled to be building new homes and introducing new neighbors to South Oakland,” says Andrea Boykowycz, OPDC Interim Director. “The CLT will ensure these houses remain affordable and owner-occupied in perpetuity.”

OPDC began the Oakland CLT in 2018 with just two houses. Now we have almost 20. With each new house, the CLT offers a chance for homeowners to build equity, while preserving opportunities for future homebuyers through community control of the land.

Lanita Lee had been renting in the Hill District while working in Oakland at Magee Women’s Hospital for the past eight years. This April, she and her family joined the South Oakland community as first-time homeowners of one of the new-construction houses.

Check out our video tour!

“It feels great. It’s a beautiful home,” says Lee, whose purchase was made possible by a Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) grant, through a program developed by OPDC.

Camille Dixon, OPDC’s community services director, worked closely with Lee to mend credit, reduce debt, and secure the support she needed. “We help applicants understand the funding and qualifications for affordable homes and the best options we have for them,” says Dixon.

Special thanks to the Oakland Development Fund, URA, WesBanco, PHARE, FHLB, Shape Development, and Pfaffmann and Associates for making this project possible.

CLT Homes for Sale

Meet OPDC’s new board leadership

From top left, clockwise: Eric Macadangdang, Teireik Williams, Tara Sherry-Torres, Dawn Seckler

OPDC is delighted to introduce our new board members and officers (new members noted with an asterisk [*]):

• President—Eric Macadangdang

• Vice President—Teireik Williams

• Treasurer—Dawn Seckler

• Secretary—Tara Sherry-Torres*

• Jeremy Carter*

• Beatrice Charles

• Lezetta Cox*

• Jonathan Kline*

• Jodi Lincoln*

• Janice Markowitz

• Randy Sargent

• Kathryn Wakefield*

We’re thrilled to be working with this special group of experienced leaders to build a better Oakland and help neighbors thrive. Welcome aboard!