City of Oakland Approves Development Agreements for Black Cultural Zone’s Liberation Park Project

The City of Oakland has announced the completion of the Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) and Lease Disposition and Development Agreement (LDDA) phase for Black Cultural Zone’s transformative endeavor, the “Liberation Park Market Hall and Cultural Hub” and “Liberation Park Residences” project.

Endorsed by the Oakland City Council on March 7th, 2024, this milestone solidifies site control, marking an integral progression in the project’s journey to development. Spearheaded by the Black Cultural Zone Community Development Corporation (BCZ) in partnership with Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST) and Eden Housing, this initiative represents a beacon of hope for East Oakland after a decade of extensive community organizing and visioning by residents.

Since November 2020, CAST has been working in collaboration with BCZ after being invited as a partner on the project to assist on the development proposal to the City. The City entered into an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) with the team in February 2022 and through this partnership, CAST has supported BCZ to secure initial site control, conceptualize and design the mixed use project at Liberation Park, and attained the approval of City entitlements in January 2023. After bringing on Eden Housing to step in as housing co-developer for the “Liberation Park Residences”, CAST is now focused on its continuing role as co-developer for the commercial side of the project, a Market Hall and Cultural Hub designed to support Black culture and creativity, economic opportunity, and small businesses.

For Immediate Release: April 16, 2024
Oakland, California

Black Cultural Zone Secures Site Control from the City of Oakland for its “Liberation Park Market Hall and Cultural Hub’’ and “Liberation Park Residences” Project

The City of Oakland has reached a significant milestone in its commitment to fostering economic opportunities and preserving Black culture by completing the Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) and Lease Disposition and Development Agreement (LDDA) phase for the Black Cultural Zone’s development project “Liberation Park Market Hall and Cultural Hub“ and “Liberation Park Residences.” This landmark achievement secured site control and was met with full support from the Oakland City Council on March 7th, 2024, marking a crucial step forward for the project.

The 1.2-acre city property on Foothill Boulevard and 73rd Avenue, currently home to Liberation Park, a vibrant community hub established by the Black Cultural Zone Collaborative (BCZ), is at the heart of this transformative initiative. BCZ, alongside partners Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST) and Eden Housing, is leading the proposed development project to further economic opportunities and preserve the rich heritage of Black culture in East Oakland.

The acquisition and development of this property represents a significant milestone for the Rise East plan, a comprehensive 10-year strategy developed through a community-led vision to establish a Black Cultural Zone in East Oakland. Over the past decade, dedicated community leaders in East Oakland have laid the groundwork for this initiative, identifying core investable strategies and fostering deep partnerships between community-based organizations, residents, public and private sector institutions, and philanthropic entities.

The initial approval of the land deal by the Oakland City Council Community & Economic Development committee, followed by the full council’s endorsement, underscores the city’s commitment to addressing historic disinvestment in areas like East Oakland. District 6 Councilmember Kevin Jenkins said: “As a council member representing East Oakland and dedicated to our community’s prosperity, I believe the Black Cultural Zone and Liberation Park are pivotal for our future. This vibrant hub will drive economic opportunities, preserve our cultural heritage, and empower residents while fostering growth”.

Moving forward, the City of Oakland, BCZ, and their partners will collaborate closely to advance the project’s development. “This includes 119 units of affordable housing, a food hall, pop-up vendor spaces for small businesses, a performance venue for artists and events, and an outdoor skating rink for all ages to enjoy,” said Director of Real Estate and Partnerships at CAST, Carolyn Choy. “We’ve seen the success of BCZ’s Akoma Market in bringing people together and celebrating Black arts and culture, and we’re excited to support BCZ’s vision of creating a permanent home for these proven activities and opportunities for artists and creative entrepreneurs. All CAST projects are about keeping artists and cultural workers anchored where they create, and Liberation Park offers that and more. Securing site control from the City is a meaningful step toward community ownership and ensuring Liberation Park remains a permanent cultural asset for East Oakland.”

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Ari Curry – Black Cultural Zone
ari@blackculturalzone.org
510-719-2618

Catherine Nguyen – CAST
cnguyen@cast-sf.org
415.556.9888 x111

ABOUT BLACK CULTURAL ZONE
The Black Cultural Zone, conceived in 2014, addresses the disparate impact that decades of disinvestment in East Oakland and more recent displacement of Black People and Black Businesses from their legacy communities here in Oakland by centering Black Arts and Culture within a community development framework. The East Oakland Black Cultural Zone Collaborative (the “Collaborative”) was formed by the Eastside Arts Alliance and several non-profit organizations located in East Oakland to develop the East Oakland Black Cultural Zone. The Collaborative designated the East Oakland Black Cultural Zone as the 50 square blocks from High Street to the San Leandro Border and focused on implementing arts and cultural strategies and engaging artists and community members in art activism.

ABOUT RISE EAST
Rise East is a collective impact effort guided by a comprehensive 10-year plan. This community-led initiative aims to develop a Black Cultural Zone in East Oakland, building on more than a decade of groundwork by community leaders. The Rise East plan identifies core investable strategies to accelerate community development over the next decade through deep collaboration between community-based organizations, residents, public and private sector institutions, and philanthropic partners.

ABOUT COMMUNITY ARTS STABILIZATION TRUST
Founded in 2013, CAST is a community-centered real estate organization committed to ensuring artists and cultural workers stay anchored where they create. CAST works in deep partnership with San Francisco Bay Area communities to model new ways to secure and steward affordable, inclusive spaces for creative and cultural expression.