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Mayor Barbara Lee Convenes Economic Development and Downtown Revitalization Tour with Delegation of Legislators
10/07/2025
Oakland is showing how a city can bounce back. Today, Mayor Barbara Lee welcomed state legislators to downtown Oakland to highlight the city’s bold post-COVID recovery efforts and explore partnerships that can accelerate revitalization. The downtown tour was designed to highlight local leadership by showcasing Oakland’s proactive strategies to support small businesses, activate public spaces, and foster cultural vitality, while also identifying opportunities for state–city collaboration to scale these efforts through funding, infrastructure and safety investments, support for nighttime and economic initiatives, and permitting reform.
“We’re bringing positive energy to downtown Oakland through cultural programming, vibrant public spaces, and thriving small businesses,” said Mayor Barbara Lee. “And we’re doing it in a way that other cities only talk about—by actually building a downtown campus. Samuel Merritt University’s campus will bring thousands of students, faculty, and staff downtown every day, activating our streets, supporting local businesses, and serving as a cornerstone for Oakland’s revitalization—making the city safer, busier, and more welcoming for everyone.” The tour included Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, where the City is reimagining civic space with programming and public activations; the SMU downtown campus, a $240 million transformative project bringing students, faculty, and staff daily to downtown Oakland, and how the city’s work to support small businesses, workforce development, and build public programs that engage the community. “I’ve toured cities up and down the state, and what I’ve seen is that our Bay Area cities have bold, creative visions to reimagine their downtowns for a post-pandemic future,” Assemblymember Matt Haney said. “Our job in the Legislature is to clear roadblocks, scale up what’s working and deliver the tools these cities need to succeed.” “By supporting small businesses, activating public spaces, and investing in cultural programming, we are creating a downtown that works for everyone. Initiatives like SMU’s campus bring students and faculty into the neighborhood, said Councilmember Rowena Brown. “We need ongoing public space activities to ensure that residents, workers, and visitors all feel safe, welcome, and engaged in the city’s economic and cultural life.” “District three, particularly the downtown area, is poised for revitalization,” said Councilmember Carroll Fife. “From the Black Arts Movement and Business District, to small businesses and entertainment venues with culturally vibrant programming, and workforce pipeline programs tied to Samuel Merritt University’s health sciences campus, there is incredible opportunity for equitable economic recovery. Over the years, I have worked closely with the arts community, businesses, and City staff to lay the groundwork but partnerships with state leaders are critical to ensure that these efforts are impactful and reach those who have historically been left out or underserved, creating lasting opportunity for residents, artists, and entrepreneurs. Thank you to all who joined the tour and I look forward to sustained collaboration that will get us to our shared goal of a vibrant, safe, and thriving Downtown Oakland.” “With the Mayor and Council in alignment around the importance of our downtown to our citywide economy, the attention of our state and federal representatives, and the regulatory framework provided by the Downtown Oakland Specific Plan, we now have both the tools and the political will to deliver,” said Ashleigh Kanat, Director of the Economic & Workforce Development Department. “Our work is centered on sustaining and supporting businesses, stabilizing the nighttime economy, and driving the public-private development and activations that bring people downtown. We know that filling vacancies and creating vibrant public spaces are essential to increasing the foot traffic that will sustain our businesses, restaurants, and entertainment venues.”
Highlights of City Projects Elevated During the Tour Priority #1: Stabilize Downtown and Nighttime Economy
Priority #2: Major Catalytic Public/Private Development Projects
Priority #3: Cultural Districts Program
Planning Initiatives
“Our new downtown campus will be a transformational presence for Oakland—and a training hub for the entire Bay Area,” said Ching-Hua Wang, President of Samuel Merritt University. “Beyond classrooms and labs, we’ll host public health screenings, career days, wellness fairs, and speaker series—all open to the community. Students will train here in high-demand health fields and go on to serve Oakland, California, and beyond, creating a direct pipeline from education to outstanding professional careers in healthcare. This is about integrating our students into the economic, cultural, and civic life of Oakland—and amplifying that impact statewide and further.”
The tour concluded with a discussion on integrating SMU students into the broader downtown ecosystem and how the city and state can collaborate to ensure safe, welcoming, and vibrant public spaces that support economic and cultural life. Back To News |
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