Oakland invests to boost area businesses

Facing low foot traffic in business centers and another bad year for violent crime, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao announced Thursday that the city will invest just under half a million dollars in a new events-sponsorship program for the city’s commercial corridors.

Thao said the program, called Activate Oakland, will offer $400,000 in grants for events to boost foot traffic and help the city’s economy that is still struggling from the pandemic.

“When we activate our streets, this is how we keep each other safe,” Thao said.

“Whether it is performances, whether it is shutting down the street to get the community together, we are looking for those ideas so we can come together … as one Oakland,” she added.

Public safety concerns and remote office work have contributed to a lull in the city’s busy commercial corridors. The latest crime statistics show that Oakland has recorded 84 homicides so far this year compared with 85 at this time last year. In 2022, the city saw a total of 120 homicides, a slight drop from 2021 but still 60% higher than the 75 in 2019.

Robberies in the city have increased by 30% compared to last year, from 1,943 at this time in 2022 to 2,524 so far this year. Burglaries have increased by 42%, from 8,875 this time last year to 12,609 this year.

Peter Gamez, the president and CEO of Visit Oakland, the city’s tourism center, said Activate Oakland will revitalize the city’s neighborhoods and increase traffic to commercial corridors.

Leticia Chavez, the owner of Obelisco restaurant in the Fruitvale neighborhood, said events have been key to helping her business thrive. She described challenges with crimes in the neighborhood and slow police response times, and said holding community events has helped her business.

Chavez said having activities so people feel comfortable and come back is key.

Sofia Navarro, the city’s interim director of the economic and workforce development department, said the funds will come out of her department and are part of an effort to “drive business development” in the city.

Funding will be prioritized for Oakland residents and artists, particularly from marginalized neighborhoods in the city. Grants will be at about $10,000. People can apply from now until Oct. 12 at activateoakland.com.

Eligible projects include free exercise and dance classes, movie nights, games, outdoor karaoke, paintball, yoga, cooking classes and other activities.

Visit Oakland will oversee the grant process.

Thao, who took office eight months ago, has promised to hold arts and culture events throughout the city to draw visitors. She has previously said that she plans to boost foot traffic and support local businesses by closing nearby streets and holding events.