{AIRPORT AREA IMPROVEMENTS}
Every visitor to the East Bay arriving by air travels through intersection of Doolittle Drive and Airport Drive, and most then continue on Doolittle Drive, Hegenberger Road or 98th Avenue. This area constitutes one of the most important gateways to Oakland, San Leandro and the entire East Bay. Presently, however, it presents a negative image of the region. There is very little landscaping; vacant lots are littered and overgrown with weeds; some properties are surrounded by stark barbed-wire fencing. There is no common design theme, nor is there adequate signing to either welcome visitors or to direct them to local or regional destinations. These conditions are contrary to all efforts to promote investment and to attract businesses and jobs to the region.

The area can be transformed, however, to convey a strong, high-quality image of the cities and the region through streetscape improvements, lighting, better property maintenance and proper signage. These changes will encourage people to invest in the area — and to fly the Oakland airport in the future.

The Port of Oakland is currently working on an expansion project which includes a major modification to the airport entrance. This provides a unique opportunity to create the gateway the East Bay deserves. Furthermore, while planning and design for the new entry proceed, improvements can be made now to enhance the image of the area in anticipation of the expansion. The Port and the City of Oakland are beginning work on a study of street improvements and economic development projects along Hegenberger Road. Oakland and San Leandro, in conjunction with the Port, are together designing landscaping and other street improvements for the Doolittle corridor. With the three agencies working together, the entire image of the Airport entrance can be turned around, and a true gateway can be created.

The recommended actions listed below will certainly compliment the expansion as presently envisioned by the Port. However, these actions would benefit the region now and should be pursued even if the Port’s current expansion plans do not move forward.

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Recommended Actions

1. The cities of Oakland and San Leandro will continue to request that the Port of Oakland include in any airport expansion plan landscaping, signage, lighting and related improvements to create an attractive gateway for the region. The two cities will continue to cooperate with the Port in the planning, design and implementation of these improvements.



2. Oakland, San Leandro and the Port will hire a consultant to prepare a design framework for the improvements for this area. The design framework will include an analysis of existing conditions, constraints and opportunities, and the parameters for future improvements so that the three jurisdiction’s work will be coordinated and mutually enhancing. The framework will also become the basis of an agreement among the two cities and the Port for the coordinated design and implementation of these improvements.

3. Oakland, San Leandro and the Port will apply to ABAG for a grant to fund, wholly or in part, the preparation of the design framework and for the interjurisdictional agreement among the Port and the two cities, as described above.

4. The Oakland Redevelopment Agency and the Port will hire a consultant to design streetscape improvements to the Hegenberger Road corridor northeast of the airport; the design will be coordinated with complimentary efforts along Doolittle Drive.

5. The Oakland Redevelopment Agency and the Port will hire a consultant to design streetscape improvements to Doolittle Drive between Hegenberger Road and the San Leandro city limits; the design will be coordinated with complimentary efforts along Doolittle Drive by the City of San Leandro and with the plans for the airport expansion.

6. The City of San Leandro will request City Council approval for streetscape improvements along Doolittle Drive from the city limits south to approximately Adams; the design will be coordinated with complimentary efforts along Doolittle Drive by the City of Oakland.

7. In conjunction with its other improvements to Doolittle Drive, the City of San Leandro will work with the Port of Oakland to setback the existing fence on the westside of Doolittle Drive and south of Airport Drive (on Port property along the golf course) so that a landscaping strip can be installed between the back of sidewalk and the relocated fence.

8. The City of Oakland will work in conjunction with the Port to review the ownership of other parcels on the westside of Doolittle Drive and south of Airport Drive. Based on this information, it will develop, with the Port, a strategy to improve the appearance of these empty lots, parking lots, and empty or underutilized buildings.

9. The cities will contact owners on the east side of Doolittle Drive between Airport Drive and Adams Avenue regarding possible parkway/landscaping installation along this street frontage and to upgrade fencing materials.

10. Both cities, through their respective code enforcement functions, will work with owners of vacant lots to remove trash and weeds and maintain properties in this area in a more attractive condition.

11. The cities will initiate discussions with the Port of Oakland leading toward the design and installation of temporary directional signs for use until permanent ones are installed with the airport expansion and related airport roadway project.
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jmc 08/31/98