Spring 2003
Dear OHA Members,
We’ve made tremendous progress in the last year in raising OHA’s profile,
garnering admiration from many different sectors, and promoting the cause of
preservation. Developers routinely consult with us regarding their plans,; we
have standing meetings with City of Oakland planning staff,; and our board
members and volunteers conscientiously track and comment on both major
developments and single building projects. Through our preservation awards
programs, we celebrate successful preservation and honor those who have restored
older buildings or promoted Oakland’s heritage. We also offer events that
combine fun with preservation and history.
In addition to the on-going publication of our newsletter, OHA News,
written entirely by volunteers, and Beth Bagwell’s Oakland: Story of a City,
the year 2002 featured the following:
 | Oakland’s 150th Birthday Celebration,
co-sponsored with City of Oakland — OHA planned and implemented all
events at Preservation Park, AAMLO (African American Museum and Library of
Oakland), and the First Unitarian Church, as well as the horse and buggy ride
between Frank Ogawa Plaza and Preservation Park |
| Preservation Action—worked with CALM (Coalition of Advocates for Lake
Merritt) for better planning and historic preservation issues in Lake
Merritt Master Plan; commented on and met with community groups re
projects in Waterfront Warehouse Historic District; commented on
and met with developers re proposed high rise project in Produce District
vicinity; assisted in getting Studio One included in Measure DD;
lobbied successfully for preservation of Oakland’s Landmarks Board staff
position; monitored Uptown Project and effects on historic
buildings; supported Measure DD and statewide Proposition 40;
supported Oak Center Historic District in West Oakland; improved
mitigations for Oakland Army Base Reuse Project; supported landmarking
of Claremont Hotel; and worked on many other preservation projects
impacting historic buildings and districts in Oakland |
| Initiation of the Landmark Plaque program to place plaques on all
official City of Oakland landmarks |
| Weekend Walking Tours of 16 Oakland neighborhoods during July and
August, including a new sold-out tour of Eichler homes in the Oakland hills |
| A fabulous House Tour of Oakmore Highlands, never before featured
on any organization’s house tour |
| A spooky and sold-out Halloween at the Mansion, jointly sponsored
with the Pardee Home Museum |
| A rousing reception honoring the individuals and organizations responsible
for the beautiful restoration of AAMLO, featuring a poetry reading by
Quincy Troupe and music by the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir—jointly
sponsored with AAMLO |
| A warm, well-attended holiday party honoring individuals and
organizations for their successful preservation efforts—held at the Altenheim,
an early 20th century facility whose future is still being decided |
In 2003, we will offer new summer walking tours to complement our standard
ones, some special programs, a house tour, and a celebration for National
Preservation Week in May. Already this year, we have advocated successfully for
an historic review of a very large new construction project planned for Mountain
View Cemetery; have worked to preserve the 9th Avenue Terminal; have
helped save a portion of the historic Cal Crew Boathouse; and are currently
commenting on the proposed Central City East Oakland Redevelopment Area and
other projects.
We need your support to continue these interesting and vital services,
programs, and events. It’s true that there is support in numbers, and we hope we
can count on you.
Thank you very much for your interest in OHA and preservation.
Sincerely,
Mary E. MacDonald
President
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