16th Street Station Reuse

Rendering of Station Interior

This web page summarizes the efforts of the BUILD development team for the re-use planning of the 16th Street Station. Beginning in September 2005, the team worked diligently to coordinate a participatory planning process around reuse of the historic 16th Street Station in West Oakland. This process included technical, market, and design work in conjunction with three community townhall meetings and the ongoing involvement of a community-based advisory pool.

The process allowed the team to refine and test strategies for reuse of the Station that will be economically self-sustaining over the long-term, appropriate to the Station's unique history and location, and responsive to the community process. The approach was for a reuse plan for the station that generated from the ideas and energy of the participants in the process. Putting in place a successful, sustainable business that embodies community values can only happen to the extent that disparate voices continue to work together as we carry forward a shared vision.

The Re-Use Plan envisions the creation of a flexible event and performance space within the Main Hall of the Station, supported by a commercial catering/food service business and/or youth-oriented education facility operating out of the baggage wing and track structure. Shortly after approval of the Re-Use Plan, the Development Team solicited potential operators through a Request for Proposals (RFP). The criteria for selection focused on viability of the business and track-record of the operator, and also addressed community interests that emerged in the planning process, such as memorialization of the building's rich history, ongoing community governance/input, and connections with existing neighborhood resources.

In the end, working together, the process was one which continues to enrich the West Oakland community, honor the 16th Street Station’s rich history, and create an asset for the City of Oakland and the Bay Area. We encourage you to visit this page regularly for updates and information. To submit your ideas or concerns on station reuse please send email to [email protected].

RESTORATION ASSOCIATION FOR IMPROVING THE LANDMARK 16TH STREET STATION (RAILS)

Developing the CL Dellums Center for Community Sustainability

In May 2006, BUILD as the property owner submitted the Train Station Re-Use Plan to the City of Oakland. Through an involved and intensive process, in April 2008, BUILD joined with a coalition of community organizations to form a new nonprofit organization known as RAILS (RESTORATION ASSOCIATION FOR IMPROVING THE LANDMARK 16TH STREET STATION). RAILS is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation and will create and implement a business plan for the rehabilitation and reuse of the historic 16th Street Station.

Community Process and Vision

As a result of the community process, thematic uses for the Train Station emerged. Pending results of the feasibility, marketing study and other factors, the future uses may include flexible space for events and/or performances, food service, museum and exhibit area(s), youth services and educational programming.

RAILS will host periodic community meetings and updates regarding the future development of the 16th Streetr Train Station. Periodically, check this website for meeting announcements. In addition, please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to be added to a contact list.

Community History

Once the bustling terminus of the transcontinental railway, the 1912 Beaux Arts-style station suffered serious damage in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and has been shuttered ever since. In its heyday, the station served as the west coast home of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP), which organized the first African American labor union and played a significant role in the U.S. civil rights movement. In recognition of the station’s rich history, RAILS has named the center “The CL Dellums Center for Community Sustainability,” after BSCP organizer and leader CL Dellums. The Station’s rehabilitation is part of a larger collaborative effort with the City of Oakland and several private landowners to build more than 1,200 homes and retail in a new West Oakland neighborhood called Central Station.

Guiding Principles

In creating its business plan for the CL Dellums Center for Community Sustainability, RAILS will:

Ensure the financial stability of the train station for the long term.
Preserve the entire train station structure, including the Main Hall and Baggage Wing.
Honor the legacy of the train station, including the history of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and West Oakland development.
Provide for public access and use.
Provide for the direct economic benefit of West Oakland residents.

Physical Structures and Land

Main Hall: With a 42-foot ceiling, grand windows, terra cotta cladding, and stone and plaster finishes, the 13,000 square-foot Main Hall is the ceremonial hub of the station.
Baggage Wing: The 8,000-s.f. center of activities for the Pullman Porters and Red Caps who figure so significantly in the cultural history of the station and the larger community.
Track Structure: A two-level steel structure, the remaining piece of the elevated tracks and passenger platform for the Red Car suburban electric trains.
16th Street Plaza: A new three-quarter acre park and public gathering location.
Signal Tower, an ancillary three-story structure located just north of the station building.

Timeline

2004: The 16th Street Station was purchased by BUILD, an affiliate of nonprofit BRIDGE Housing.

2005-2006: BUILD held three town hall meetings and several other meetings with various stakeholder groups to determine the preferred uses, identify community concerns and examine other issues for developing the station.

May 2006: BUILD submitted its Train Station Re-Use Plan to the City of Oakland

March 2007: BUILD issued a Request for Qualifications to identify a “Train Station Entity” to develop and operate the train station.

April 2008: BUILD joined with a coalition of community organizations to form a new nonprofit organization, now known as RAILS, which would be responsible for the operation and ultimate ownership of the CL Dellums Center for Community Sustainability. Concurrently, RAILS engaged the prominent Oakland firm California Communities Group (CCG) to act as developer of the historic asset.

November 2008: RAILS and CCG received $400,000 in predevelopment funds from the City of Oakland Redevelopment Agency to fund a feasibility study.

April 2009: CCG launches the technical studies for the Feasibility Study. RAILS begins meeting regularly regarding feasibility, planning and development of the Train Station.

November 2009: RAILS, BUILD and the City re-structure the predevelopment funds to allow for $39,000 to be applied to roof and fence repair to protect the building.

December 2009: Anticipated completion date of feasibility study.

1st Quarter 2010: Public Review of Feasibility Study by community and City Council.s

RAILS Leadership

The RAILS Board of Directors currently includes: Bob Brauer, Alan Dones, Gregory Hodge, Ben Metcalf, Adhi Nagrah and Lydia Tan.

The Central Station Context

Central Station is a dynamic visioning and re-purposing of the 29 acres surrounding the 16th Street Station. Hundred of homes have been completed. When done, there will be 1,200+ new townhomes, lofts and apartments—plus parks, open space, shops, neighborhood services, and jobs for residents. The 16th Street Station will be a key amenity and attribute to the entire Central Station Development.



Station Reuse Process 16TH STREET TRAIN STATION RE-USE PLAN (38MB File) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

			Rendering of Station Interior
	This web page summarizes the efforts of the BUILD development team for the re-use planning of the 16th Street Station. Beginning in September 2005, the team worked diligently to coordinate a participatory planning process around reuse of the historic 16th Street Station in West Oakland. This process included technical, market, and design work in conjunction with three community townhall meetings and the ongoing involvement of a community-based advisory pool. The process allowed the team to refine and test strategies for reuse of the Station that will be economically self-sustaining over the long-term, appropriate to the Station's unique history and location, and responsive to the community process. The approach was for a reuse plan for the station that generated from the ideas and energy of the participants in the process. Putting in place a successful, sustainable business that embodies community values can only happen to the extent that disparate voices continue to work together as we carry forward a shared vision. The Re-Use Plan envisions the creation of a flexible event and performance space within the Main Hall of the Station, supported by a commercial catering/food service business and/or youth-oriented education facility operating out of the baggage wing and track structure. Shortly after approval of the Re-Use Plan, the Development Team solicited potential operators through a Request for Proposals (RFP). The criteria for selection focused on viability of the business and track-record of the operator, and also addressed community interests that emerged in the planning process, such as memorialization of the building's rich history, ongoing community governance/input, and connections with existing neighborhood resources. In the end, working together, the process was one which continues to enrich the West Oakland community, honor the 16th Street Station’s rich history, and create an asset for the City of Oakland and the Bay Area. We encourage you to visit this page regularly for updates and information. To submit your ideas or concerns on station reuse please send email to [email protected]. RESTORATION ASSOCIATION FOR IMPROVING THE LANDMARK 16TH STREET STATION (RAILS) Developing the CL Dellums Center for Community Sustainability In May 2006, BUILD as the property owner submitted the Train Station Re-Use Plan to the City of Oakland. Through an involved and intensive process, in April 2008, BUILD joined with a coalition of community organizations to form a new nonprofit organization known as RAILS (RESTORATION ASSOCIATION FOR IMPROVING THE LANDMARK 16TH STREET STATION). RAILS is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation and will create and implement a business plan for the rehabilitation and reuse of the historic 16th Street Station. Community Process and Vision As a result of the community process, thematic uses for the Train Station emerged. Pending results of the feasibility, marketing study and other factors, the future uses may include flexible space for events and/or performances, food service, museum and exhibit area(s), youth services and educational programming. RAILS will host periodic community meetings and updates regarding the future development of the 16th Streetr Train Station. Periodically, check this website for meeting announcements. In addition, please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to be added to a contact list. Community History Once the bustling terminus of the transcontinental railway, the 1912 Beaux Arts-style station suffered serious damage in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and has been shuttered ever since. In its heyday, the station served as the west coast home of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP), which organized the first African American labor union and played a significant role in the U.S. civil rights movement. In recognition of the station’s rich history, RAILS has named the center “The CL Dellums Center for Community Sustainability,” after BSCP organizer and leader CL Dellums. The Station’s rehabilitation is part of a larger collaborative effort with the City of Oakland and several private landowners to build more than 1,200 homes and retail in a new West Oakland neighborhood called Central Station. Guiding Principles In creating its business plan for the CL Dellums Center for Community Sustainability, RAILS will: Ensure the financial stability of the train station for the long term. Preserve the entire train station structure, including the Main Hall and Baggage Wing. Honor the legacy of the train station, including the history of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and West Oakland development. Provide for public access and use. Provide for the direct economic benefit of West Oakland residents. Physical Structures and Land Main Hall: With a 42-foot ceiling, grand windows, terra cotta cladding, and stone and plaster finishes, the 13,000 square-foot Main Hall is the ceremonial hub of the station. Baggage Wing: The 8,000-s.f. center of activities for the Pullman Porters and Red Caps who figure so significantly in the cultural history of the station and the larger community. Track Structure: A two-level steel structure, the remaining piece of the elevated tracks and passenger platform for the Red Car suburban electric trains. 16th Street Plaza: A new three-quarter acre park and public gathering location. Signal Tower, an ancillary three-story structure located just north of the station building.	Timeline 2004: The 16th Street Station was purchased by BUILD, an affiliate of nonprofit BRIDGE Housing. 2005-2006: BUILD held three town hall meetings and several other meetings with various stakeholder groups to determine the preferred uses, identify community concerns and examine other issues for developing the station. May 2006: BUILD submitted its Train Station Re-Use Plan to the City of Oakland March 2007: BUILD issued a Request for Qualifications to identify a “Train Station Entity” to develop and operate the train station. April 2008: BUILD joined with a coalition of community organizations to form a new nonprofit organization, now known as RAILS, which would be responsible for the operation and ultimate ownership of the CL Dellums Center for Community Sustainability. Concurrently, RAILS engaged the prominent Oakland firm California Communities Group (CCG) to act as developer of the historic asset. November 2008: RAILS and CCG received $400,000 in predevelopment funds from the City of Oakland Redevelopment Agency to fund a feasibility study. April 2009: CCG launches the technical studies for the Feasibility Study. RAILS begins meeting regularly regarding feasibility, planning and development of the Train Station. November 2009: RAILS, BUILD and the City re-structure the predevelopment funds to allow for $39,000 to be applied to roof and fence repair to protect the building. December 2009: Anticipated completion date of feasibility study. 1st Quarter 2010: Public Review of Feasibility Study by community and City Council.s RAILS Leadership The RAILS Board of Directors currently includes: Bob Brauer, Alan Dones, Gregory Hodge, Ben Metcalf, Adhi Nagrah and Lydia Tan. The Central Station Context Central Station is a dynamic visioning and re-purposing of the 29 acres surrounding the 16th Street Station. Hundred of homes have been completed. When done, there will be 1,200+ new townhomes, lofts and apartments—plus parks, open space, shops, neighborhood services, and jobs for residents. The 16th Street Station will be a key amenity and attribute to the entire Central Station Development.