In this issue you can read about our new Port commissioners and officers; progress on the redevelopment of the former Oakland Army Base; our budget for the new fiscal year; and events like the Eat Real Festival coming to Jack London Square this September. Plenty of links and resources for you too!

The Port welcomed new leadership in 2012, committed to transparency, accountability, and rebuilding public trust. This trend will continue in 2013 with new appointments at the Board and executive levels. We also closed out 2012 with new labor agreements with all of our Port unions, which will help us save money over the long run and ensure business continuity in the near term. All of these efforts are part of the financial sustainability described by our Board President Gilda Gonzales and Acting Executive Director Deborah Ale Flint in this recent op-ed.

At the same time, we are making important strides on projects that are building, enhancing, marketing, and sustaining the Port and its aviation, maritime, and commercial real estate business lines. We're progressing on shore power, which will lead to cleaner air and reduced diesel emissions for the region; the redevelopment of the Oakland Army Base, which will lead to a more competitive seaport that will generate more jobs for the region; and the Runway Safety Area project, which will help us further enhance safety at our airport while also providing contracting and job creation opportunities for the community. We're continuing innovative marketing strategies like our partnership with Cal Athletics to promote Oakland International Airport, and our Wines of California pavilion to promote maritime exports.

We're making these strides while staying connected to our local and regional community, whether hosting a Port trucking fair, sponsoring the Mayor's Annual Toy Drive, or welcoming everyone to the Oakland waterfront for our annual tree lighting ceremony.

You can read about all of this and more in this edition of Currents. We hope you find this informative and look forward to keeping in touch throughout 2013.

The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners appointed Ms. Deborah Ale Flint Acting Executive Director in October. Ms. Ale Flint is responsible for the administration and operations of the Port and reports to the Board. Prior to this position she was appointed director of aviation in April, 2010. As aviation director she was responsible for the operation, management and business development of Oakland International Airport (OAK).

Newly-appointed Port Attorney Danny Wan officially began his position with the Port of Oakland Dec. 17, 2012. Mr. Wan was formerly the City Attorney and Risk Manager for the City of Morgan Hill. He advised the Morgan Hill City Council on all aspects of municipal law, including open meeting laws, ethics, employment law and infrastructure financing and contracting. From 2004-2008, Wan served as a Deputy Port Attorney, primarily responsible for land use, environmental regulatory compliance, City Charter compliance and inter-agency agreements. Prior to that, Mr. Wan was an Oakland City Councilmember.

The Port published the bid request for the Outer Harbor Intermodal Terminal (OHIT) Railyard Oct. 30, 2012, the 1st phase of the Oakland Army Base (OAB) redevelopment. This is the first major phase of any part of the OAB project to go to bid. The submissions are due Jan. 22, 2013. Request for Proposal (RFP). The Port also released a RFP for a railyard operator Nov. 16, 2012.

The photo below shows the full house at the Port's OAB pre-proposal conference Nov. 27th.

The Port completed the Berth Maintenance Dredging down to -50 Feet on 11/29/12. We were the first dredger on the water on 11/7/12 at the beginning of the dredging season. Maintaining the berths at a depth of 50 feet makes it possible to accommodate big containerships.

The MSC Beatrice (pictured below), the largest ship to ever call anywhere in North America, visited Oakland in 2012, one of only two ports in the U.S. to welcome this "mega-ship."

FedEx has decided to operate its newest and largest cargo planes at Oakland International Airport (OAK). The first two Boeing 777 aircraft, including one with direct air cargo service to Asia, have been placed into service. These modern aircraft are cleaner to operate, quieter, and represent the good work that keeps our airport more competitive.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants in 2012, totaling $32.9 million for RSA improvements at OAK. The FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants will pay for improving the RSAs on both ends of OAK's 10,000 foot-long primary runway. RSAs protect passengers and crew in the rare event of an aircraft veering off the runway. Construction is scheduled to begin in March 2013.

As part of the Comprehensive Truck Management Program, the Port hosted a Port Trucker Appreciation Fair Sept. 21, 2012, in an effort to reach out to Port truckers who might be affected by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) Drayage Truck requirement that went into effect Jan. 1, 2013. We connected 300 Port truckers with valuable information and resources critical to doing business at the Port.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) also provided on-site assistance for Bay Area truckers who will be affected by the CARB regulation. Applications were accepted for grant funding to replace drayage trucks from model years 2005-2006 with trucks that have newer, cleaner burning engines. Thank you to all of our partners who helped make this trucker fair possible: BAAQMD, ARB, Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), Truck Dealerships, Finance Institutions, and the CHP.

The new artisanal pizza restaurant (wood-fired pizza), The Forge, will be coming to Jack London Square (66 Franklin Street, a building owned by Jack London Square Ventures) in early 2013. The executive chef will be Jeffrey Amber, a "Hotel Chef of the Year" according to the American Tasting Institute. There will be outdoor seating and non-pizza menu items too! The new restaurant is part of a dining group called Les Bon Temps.

Oakland Restaurant Week

Jan. 18-27, 2013 is Oakland Restaurant Week celebrating the thriving culinary scene in Oakland with ten days of special deals. Restaurants will offer prix fixe menus at $20, $30, and $40. Tickets and special passes are not required, but reservations are strongly recommended.

Jack London Square participating restaurants are: Bocanova, Kincaid's Bayhouse Restaurant, Scott's Seafood Restaurant, and Yoshi's Jazz Club & Japanese Restaurant.

The Port was pleased to be a sponsor of the Mayor's Toy Drive. Over the holidays, the 2012 annual community collection was expected to provide gifts to more than 8,000 kids in Oakland!

Alameda County Food Bank

Looking to volunteer? Even though the holidays are over there is still a great need to help our community. The Alameda County Community Food Bank serves 49,000 people each week—from Berkeley to Fremont, Oakland to Livermore! Consider becoming a volunteer this year!

Book your flight now and don't forget the parking coupons we're offering for OAK:

OAK parking coupons