To: Lynette Gibson-McElhaney, City Council - District 4, Patricia Kenirghan, City Council - District 3, Dan Kalb, City Council - District 2, Libby Schaff, City Council - District 5, Noel Gallo, City Council - District 6, Desley Brooks, City ...

Gentrification Displaces People - Block The W.O.S.P. Vote 7/15/14

There is strong likelihood that the W.O.S.P. will be approved at the 7/15/14 Oakland City Council Meeting. The West Oakland Specific Plan contains no "specific plan" to deal with the displacement of long-time and low income Oakland residents. It should not be approved until guarantees that serve the stated needs of our existing communities are included. All Oakland citizens should benefit from economic improvements, and these stated guarantees should apply to every development plan going forward.

Why is this important?

"The W.O.S.P. is Oakland’s plan to help developers and incoming high wage populations speed up the accumulation of capital in Oakland." The City of Oakland's webpage touts our position as "the most diverse city in America." Without actual plans protecting long-time, low income, disabled, elderly, LGBTQ, and P.O.C. residents, that unique distinction will be lost. Oakland need not suffer the same fate as San Francisco. Council voting on this redevelopment plan should not proceed without more protective policy overlays. The petition will not stop the W.O.S.P., but will provide time to add citizen safeguards. That's essential when we're talking about eminent domain.

https://www.facebook.com/Oak.Awake

http://oaklandlocal.com/2014/04/wosp-the-city-of-oaklands-plan-for-gentrification-a-target-for-anti-displacement-activity-community-voices/

www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Gentrification-transforming-face-of-Oakland-5387273.php

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