The abandoned and toxic site at 5441 International can easily go unnoticed but Oakland residents are harnessing their people power to ensure that their community is heard. General Electric’s 23-acre site has been uninhabitable for decades and the recent draft environmental impact report for proposed demolition has reinvigorated the community. Right along International Boulevard, the site contains several historic buildings and is of community value.
The Oakland Heritage Alliance has led the charge to push GE to do more for the community than their plan of demolition and paving the large historical site. In support of the Oakland Heritage Alliance’s comment letter, the East Oakland Black Culture Zone Collaborative has recommended that any mitigation funds collected from a demolition be dedicated to East Oakland projects and that instead of leaving a vacant lot, a clean energy reuse option be explored. Given the need to revitalize Oakland and stop the displacement of long-time residents and small businesses, it is critical that there is a collective commitment to improving the communities that we live in and ensuring that the spaces that are available be put to greater community use. The site at 5441 International can be a start to a better Oakland.
For More Information & To Sign On: Contact Ndidi Okwelogu from the Dellums Institute at ndidiokwelogu@gmail.com or Naomi Schiff from the Oakland Heritage Alliance at naomi@17th.com
HELP US BY SIGNING OUR COMMENT LETTER BY APRIL 9th TO SHOW THE CITY EAST OAKLAND MATTERS!
