Port of Oakland - Newsroom

Oakland, Calif. (September 3, 2003) - On Tuesday, September 2, the Port of Oakland Board of Port Commissioners unanimously approved the sale of a 60-acre parcel in the Oak to 9th District to Oakland Harbor Partners (OHP) for $18 million. Oakland Harbor Partners, LLC is a partnership of Signature Properties and Reynolds and Brown.

"This is the largest private development along Oakland's waterfront for decades. We are very excited about the fact that this development will bring additional housing and retail to the area," said Board President, John Protopappas. "Neither the City nor the Port had the financial resources to develop the site or to clean up the contaminants from prior use," he added. An independent appraisal of the land placed the value at $34 million. It is estimated that it could cost at least $16 million to clean up the contaminated area.

"Beyond the additional housing and retail for the area, this project will bring jobs, including construction jobs for the development. The proposal will ensure clean-up of the site, and provide for improved public access to the waterfront. Currently, the public access to the waterfront is through Estuary Park or private property. The development will provide 20 acres of open space made accessible to the public by promenades," said Joe Wong, deputy executive director of the Port.

OHP was selected through a public and competitive process. The Request for Developer Qualifications (RFQ) began on March 15, 2001. Copies of the RFQ were available on the Port's website, in hardcopy, and on CD. A public information session with a tour of the area was conducted on April 4, 2001.

Two proposals were received. The Board selected OHP as the developer in September 2001.

"The actual development process will take several years and will begin when OHP files an application with the City of Oakland for review of the project, scheduled this fall," said Omar Benjamin, the Port's Director of Commercial Real Estate.

The public review process will commence at that time. Regulatory agencies at all levels will be involved in the process, including: State Lands Commission, Regional Water Quality Board, Bay Conservation and Development Commission, State Fish and Game, and the City Planning Commission, among others.


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