For Immediate Release
September 23, 2002

Port of Oakland Board Gives Unanimous support for Measure DD
(Measure DD - “Oakland Trust Fund for Clean Water, Safe Waterfront Parks and Recreation" compliments Port of Oakland park projects)

OAKLAND, Calif (September 23, 2002) - Port of Oakland's Board of Port Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution to endorse Measure DD at their last meeting, Tuesday, September 17, 2002. Measure DD, the “Oakland Trust Fund for Clean Water, Safe Waterfront Parks and Recreation,” is a $198,250,000 bond measure that enables the City of Oakland to sell bonds to implement a variety of parks, clean-water protection and youth recreation projects.

Port Board President Frank Kiang said, "We believe this measure will help restore Oakland’s waterfront, Lake Merritt, as well as a number of other water-related amenities that make Oakland the true waterfront city that it is." Kiang added, "The Port Board fully supports this measure, which will provide the needed initial funding to enhance biking and walking trails at the lake, channel, and waterfront, improve wildlife habitat and create new parks and expand existing ones."

"Not only will the measure raise much-needed funding to move these important projects forward, it will also help Oakland pursue state, federal and grant funding to fully complete all of the projects identified in the bond measure," stated Port Board First Vice President John Protopappas.

The projects identified in Measure DD compliment several projects undertaken by the Port that improve waterfront access, including the soon to be opened Middle Harbor Shoreline Park that will provide over 37 acres of prime waterfront recreational space.

Port of Oakland Executive Director Tay Yoshitani said," Measure DD gives Oakland a wonderful opportunity to improve water quality at Lake Merritt, the Oakland Estuary, and Oakland city creeks and it will enhance water-related recreational facilities and opportunities for all Oaklanders."

PORT OF OAKLAND FACT SHEET - MEASURE DD
The Oakland City Council at its July 9, 2002 evening council meeting voted to place a $198,250,000 general obligation bond measure on the November 5, 2002 election ballot.

$43.5 million is earmarked for a number of projects along the Oakland Estuary.

This includes funding for:

• Pedestrian and bicycle trail acquisition and construction along the estuary waterfront to provide continuous public access from Jack London Square to Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline Park
• Pubic access area for shoreline parks, Martin Luther King Wetlands and trails and city sports fields
• Acquisition and completion of following parks along estuary waterfront:
• Estuary Park at mouth of Lake Merritt Channel into Estuary
• Meadows Park at 5th Avenue
• New park in area of 9th Street Terminal Avenue
• Union Point Park at 23rd Avenue

Contact:
Harold Jones
Director of Communications
(510) 627-1564
hjones@portoakland.com

Midori Tabata
Communications Assistant
Port of Oakland
(510) 627-1187
mtabata@portoakland.com