Monday, February 8, 2016

BAMBD supports rally for Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts


In solidarity with artists from the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, Community Rejuvenation Project, the Chinatown Coalition, local residents and businesses — have launched a petition to Maria Poncel of Bay Development to demand mitigation and community givebacks from the 16-story market-rate housing development of the parking lot at 250 14th Street.

On February 3rd, the Planning Commission gave away millions of dollars in value to Bay Development, without ensuring the community's needs were met and mitigating negative impacts on the Malonga Center and the covering up of the community mural above uplifting Oakland's artists and history.

A rally will be held on Thursday, February 11, beginning at 11:30 AM at the parking lot at 14th and Alice and marching to City Hall (you can meet us there at 12pm for a brief rally) to file the appeal, and to demand that Mayor Libby Schaaf and City Council overturn the decision until the community's demands are met:

1) Finance or fundraise 100% of replacement mural costs.

2) Dedicate the ground floor of the parking garage to Malonga Arts Center staff and patrons, to support the continued flourishing of this city treasure at the heart of the newly designated Black Arts Movement Cultural and Business District.

3) Make at least 15-28% of the units affordable to families earning less than $64,000, as the Lake Merritt Specific Plan calls for. That means setting rent at $1,600 or below for at least 18 of the 126 units.

In addition, the community has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise the funds to appeal the Oakland Planning Commission’s approval of the development: https://www.gofundme.com/xyn67r9t

Sign & share the petition: https://www.change.org/p/bay-development-build-real-community-benefits

We are also demanding that Mayor Schaaf and City Administrator Sabrina Landreth fire the Planning Director Rachel Flynn (who denies there is a housing crisis in Oakland & is fast-tracking gentrification) and reform the Planning Department by replacing planning staff and Planning Commissioners with people who care more about residents than developers.

Please join us and invite your friends.
The bigger the signs the better, and bring your instruments to make some noise!

#KeepOaklandCreative #HousingJustice
 
 

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