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Every year, we celebrate preservation projects and people that reflect the
diversity of Oakland. The projects can be neighborhood or downtown, grand or
small, physical or cultural: we cast a wide net. The main requirement is that
these efforts bring to light our combined histories, promote preservation
efforts, and contribute to making Oakland the special place we love.
The followings recipients received the Partners in Preservation Award
at the OHA Christmas Party in December.
Projects:
 | Artship - Slobodan Dan Paitch. Located at the 9th Avenue pier. The
Artship Foundation is restoring this 1939 Art Deco style vessel and
transforming her into a multi-purpose creative arts and education center. |
| Jeff Norman - "Putting out the Pussycat: The Nine Lives of a
Neighborhood Theatre". Funded by Oakland's Cultural Arts Division,
Jeff Norman created a month long street-side display on the theatre's
history and demise in the Temescal district. |
| Restoration of the Grand Lake Theatre Marquee. Thanks to the
efforts of owner Allen Michaan, Steffan Shelley and Greg King restored
the lights, neon and paint, to recreate the lighted waterfall effect of the
Grand Lake Theatre's marquee displaying the current attractions, . |
| Rambling Gambrel. A 5th Avenue Gamrel Style house was saved from
demolition and relocated to a new site. Leal Charonnat, Architect, J.W.
Silveira, the proud new owner, and Dwane P. Jensen, Planner in
the Zoning Division of the Community and Economic Development Agency, all
worked together to save this classic specimen. OHA also deserves a
pat on the back, as it contributed for the payment of the Pest Report, when
negotiations broke down between buyer and seller. |
| Restoration of Glen Echo Creek (and Park) was a comprehensive
arrangement between city, county and private citizens that turned this creek
and environs into a community park. Lesley Estes for the City of
Oakland, Michael Thilgen of Four Dimensions, Landscape Architect, and
Valerie Winemuller, neighborhood activist, were recognized for their
major contributions. |
People
| Paul Cobb. His column in the Oakland Tribune is a carrier of
community traditions and honors the ethnic and cultural history of the
African American community in Oakland. In addition, In addition, he was
intensely involved with the successful efforts to re-route the Cypress
Freeway to reunite the West Oakland neighborhood. |
| Bill Sturm. As head of the Oakland History Room of the Main
Library, since 1978, he started the exhibits in the history room centered
around Oakland themes. In addition to his service to the library, Bill has
been the back page writer for the OHA newsletter since its inception. |
| Wilda White and Marianne Dreisbach are founding members of
the Jack London Neighborhood Association which was formed to fight
inappropriate development in the Waterfront Warehouse District. They
successfully had this district listed on the National Register of
Historic Places in the Spring of 2000. |
Buildings & Adaptive Reuse
| 521 West Grand Avenue, Rosa Parks House. This 3 story stucco
apartment building was in sore need of attention. The Building Opportunities
for Self-Sufficiency, BOSS, a 29 year old agency that provides
support services for the poor and homeless, renovated the apartments
with funds from HUD, Alameda County, and the City of Oakland. Daniel
Barth, BOSS renovation overseer, Erick Mikiten, architect and Robin
Wilson of Oliver & Company, contractor, were recognized for their
achievements. |
| 1561 8th Street (at Peralta) in the Oak Point District of West
Oakland. Tim Witter, has renovated this 1870 Italianate home and is
currently working on the adjacent two houses. Tim has become an inspiration
to the neighborhood with his work. |
| Clara Mohammed School & Masjidul Waritheen (47th Avenue and
Bond Street, East Oakland). Originally built in the 1920's as the Melrose
Baptist Church, it has been the home of a branch of the Muslim American
Society since the mid 1970's. The congregation refurbished and repainted all
the buildings, mosque, school and courtyard, while retaining the
original elements and details. The overall effect has made this a gem of the
neighborhood. |
| Willow Brooks Creamery (2515 San Pablo Avenue). This Art Deco
commercial building, built by George Sellon, the first State Architect of
California and architect of San Quentin Prison, is a perfect example of
adaptive reuse, functioning now as an arts community for live performance,
and exhibits. Owners Marco Cochrane and Inge Halliday were
recognized for bringing new life to this area of San Pablo Avenue and their
sensitivity to the original structure and design. |
| Clawson School (3310 Peralta Street). This school building, vacant
for 17 years, was converted to a remarkable live/work space. Bendrew Jong,
architect, and developers Paul Parkman and Kathryn Porter of
Premises, Co., were jointly recognized for this achievement. |
| Tribune Tower. The Tribune Building was originally built as a six
story Brueners Furniture Store in 1906. It's signature tower was added in
1922 after the newspaper concern acquired the property. The recent
restoration and remodelling took 2.5 years by John Protopappas, owner
of Madison Park Developers, Gary Guenther, architect, and Judy
Romann, construction manager. After a long hiatus, the Oakland Tribune
management and staff relocated back to this "keystone" building of
downtown Oakland. |
Lifetime Achievement
| Helen Lore is a long-time community and preservation activist. She worked
with the City of Oakland Parks and Recreation Department for 22 years and
while there, she became involved in the Peralta hacienda Historic Park where
she is now secretary of the Board of the Friends of Peralta Hacienda.
She was administrator director of OHA for 10 years and was the heart,
soul and constant of the organization. She is also a founding member of an
ad hoc committee to save and rehabilitate Vicente Peralta's mausoleum and is
also President of the Alameda County Historical Society. |
We are looking for Oakland projects, buildings and people that use
preservation aspects and resources for our Partners in Preservation Awards
2001. If you would like to make a recommendation, please contact us.
Pamela Magnuson-Peddle, President
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