Vacant to Vibrant

Vacant to VIBRantfosteRIng health and communIty In west oakland By Re-ImagInIng the BlueBIRd gRoceRy lot

[IN]CITY 2015 ~ InstRuctoRs : nIcola szIBBo, Phd, sonIa-lynn aBenojaR, eRIc andeRson, justIn keaRnan~ enzo caBIlI, elIza koch, sydney PRoVan, jIll RosenBeRg, anya Rossa-Quade

San Pablo Avenue

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MacArthur Freeway

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46th Street

West Grand Avenue

17th Street

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27th Street

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San Pablo avenue Corridor our ProjeCtWeSt oakland

the bluebird site is located in West oakland is at the center point of three census tracts that make up the Hoover Foster and McClymonds neighborhoods. the majority of the area is zoned for residential use, but there is some commercial zoning along the main corridor.

MetHod tiMelineATTEND DESIGN DASH RECORD COMMUNITY IDEAS AND PRIORITIES SYNTHESIZE THEMES CONCEPTUAL DIAGRAMMING DESIGN PROPOSALSSITE ANALYSIS

in an effort to fulfill resident needs and promote health and vibrancy along the San Pablo avenue Corridor, we are working along side EBALDC (east bay asian local development Corporation) to imagine what could be temporarily built next to the California Hotel in the Bluebird Site, an expansive, baren parking lot.

residential

Commercial

Commercial/residential Mix

bluebird Site bluebird Site

bluebird Site

San

Pablo

avenu

e

34th Street



MAIN

EVERYTHING ELSE

San Pablo Avenue

Pera

lta St

reet

MacArthur Freeway

Mar

tin L

uthe

r Kin

g Jr

. Way

46th Street

West Grand Avenue

17th Street

Tele

grap

h Av

enue

Wes

t Str

eet

Mar

ket S

tree

t

27th Street

Hol

lis S

tree

t

GatHerinGSPaCeS

CoMMerCialSPaCeS bY tYPe

aCCeSS MaP

San Pablo Corridor

bluebird GroCerY lottranSit MaP

California Hotel

San Pablo Avenue

Pera

lta S

treet

MacArthur Freeway

Mar

tin L

uthe

r Kin

g Jr

. Way

46th Street

West Grand Avenue

17th Street

Tele

grap

h Av

enue

Wes

t Str

eet

Mar

ket S

tree

t

27th Street

Hol

lis S

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t

the bluebird Site is located adjacent to the Historic California Hotel. in the1940s and 1950s, the California Hotel was a hub for the african american music scene, hosting legends like billie Holiday, james brown, and ray Charles.

Site analYSiS

retailauto-related

entertainmentfood Servicesother Services

bluebird Site

SchoolsGreen SpaceGathering Spaces

bluebird Site

Current Pedestrian entrances

Possible Pedestrian entrances

bus Stops

Current Car access

bus routes

bus Stops

tHe eMPtY lot

PeoPleS Garden

Peoples Garden is situated next to the bluebird site. it is a community garden run by Peoples Grocery that provides classes and fresh produce to the neighborhood.

through our research, weve found that this neighborhood has numerous resources. the sites location next to the California Hotel and Peoples Garden provides a unique opportunity to build on these pre-existing assets and the sites rich history.

the surrounding area is currently car-centric and not pedestrian or bicycle friendly. this creates an experience that is hectic and void of color and excitement. our proposals aim to create a comfortable pedestrian area to encourage healthier modes of transportation.

Local residents identified a lack of commercial activity on the corridor and a disconnect between community gathering spaces. because of this, along with the existing attributes of the neighborhood, the Bluebird Site has the potential to become a community-driven, healthy space.

analYSiS

attributeS

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120n



Recreation

attend deSiGn daSH

i. nature and HealtH ii. exCHanGe iii. artS and Culture

to better understand resident needs and further inform our proposals we attended a design dash at the California Hotel.

reCord CoMMunitY ideaS and PrioritieS

ProPoSal tHeMeS

Reflection of Community Identity

Safe for Families GatheringJob Creation

Green Space

Public Art

All Ages

Access to Fresh Food

Birdbath

Basketball Hoop

Wishing Tree

Chalk ArtInteractive Mural

Skate Park

Medicinal Garden

Music

Block Parties

Crop SwapFarmers Market

Black Arts District

Bulletin Board

Lighting

Beauty

Fun

FAR FRoM GReen SPACe

AnD eSSenTIAl SeRvICeS

eConoMIC DIveSTMenT

AnD InSuFFICenT JoB oPPoRTunITIeS

lACk oF GATHeRInG SPACe AnD PlATFoRMS FoR CoMMunITy

exPReSSIon

Story Telling

after listening to the community, we identified common threads from conversations and synthesized these themes into three categories on which to base our design proposals.

Community members gathered to brainstorm creative interventions in specific hot-spots along the San Pablo

the small scale proposals will be presented to residents during National Night Out.

iSSueS identified

library



oPtion 1: nature and HealtH

recreation

Seating and

Gathering GreenSpace

flexible Space/Mobileaccess

oPen air HealtH fair / San joSe is free and open to the public and offers services ranging from cardiovascular health and diabetes screenings to adult seasonal flu vaccinations. Providing space to host a fair or mobile clinics allows residents to access preventative care and nutrition education.

PotterS Wall benCH / berkeleY was built by artist andrew Werby and a group of neighborhood volunteers in 1978.the bench was cast in cement and decorated with shards and found objects donated by residents. this kind of community designed project could encourage investment in the space and provide residents with a sense of ownership.

PreCedentS

budGet

a place for moving, playing and relaxing with a focus on physical health and well-being for all ages.

Painted basketball Court: $800

Wall-Mounted basketball Hoop: $300

Painted Hop-Scotch Court: $100

basketballs: $300

Wooden Gazebo: $6,000

Mosaic bird-bath and benches: $1,500

Circular Wooden bench: $400

benches: $600

Wishing tree: $5,000

Scented jasmine trelliss: $3,650

Pavement Gardens: $1,000

other trees: $1000

Medicinal Garden: $700

Mini Skate-Park: $1500

lighting: $3300

basketball Court Mural: $5,000

Metal Garden arch: $500

operations and Maintenance (%15): $3,400/yr

%10 Contingency : $3,800

total: $38,900

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oPtion i: deSiGn eleMentSthe basketball court and skate park provide youth with places to get together, exercise and play.

reCreation

a covered gazebo provides shade and a place to relax for visitors of a variety of ages.

a wishing tree for residents to record and share their hopes and dreams.

the inclusion of personal items in a mosaic project

provides a sense of ownership in the space,

SeatinG and GatHerinG

a garden for herbs and natural medicines available to all visitors to encourage healthy choices and start conversations about preventative care.

a garden grown in the cracks of the pavement to green the space

and improve air quality with minimal asphalt removal.

an enticing path and beautiful gate makes Peoples Garden more visible and inviting to the neighborhood from the street.

Green SPaCe

bicycle parking to encourage healthy transportation to

the site.

flexible Mobile aCCeSS

along with health fairs, mobile clinics can use flexible open space to

provide easier access to healthcare.

oPtion 1 incorporates vegetation, areas for exercise, play and health care in response to the lack of essential services nearby and residents wishes for recreational and green spaces.



oPtion ii: exCHanGe

ProjeCt roW HouSe/ HouSton was founded as a result of the vision of local african-american artists wanting a positive creative presence in their own community. Community Markets allow local creatives and entrepreneurs to gain exposure, build their own brand, and sell their merchandise as a member of Houstons artistic community.

PieCe bY PieCe/ loS anGeleS provides low-income and formerly homeless people in South los angeles free mosaic art workshops. the workshops aim to develop marketable skills and income to improve quality of life for the citys most vulnerable populations.

space for pop-ups

bookexchange Seating

and Gathering

flexible Space/Mobile access

recreation

WorkshopSpace

Pop-up Space

an open space for a variety of markets, fairs, and workshops.

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PreCedentS

budGet

large Custom tent: $5,000

Merchant tents: $2,800

book exchange table/Chairs: $500

fair and Workshop tables/Chairs: $1,400

book Shelves: $1,200

Chess tables: $650

large Park Grills: $1,400

benches and Picnic tables: $5,500

Painted Walkway: $3,000

bulletin boards: $300

trees and Planters: $4,000

lighting: $3,300

book exchange Mural: $5,000



total: $49,700

jungle Gym and Surface: $7,000



oPtion ii: deSiGn eleMentS SeatinG and GatHerinGexCHanGe SPaCeS


farmers markets held in the space improves access to healthy foods.

Crop Swap events facilitate trade between local gardeners.

flexible signage welcomes drivers and pedestrians in for farmers markets, craft fairs,

and job fairs.

a space for pop-up retail gives local entrepreneurs an opportunity to try

business models at low-risk.

a bulletin board advertises services and events like friday night live and design dashes.

a community book exchange to serve as a place holder and inspiration for a more permanent library.

Comfortable shaded swing bench encourages library visitors to sit and read outside.

a custom designed shaded space with tables provides a place for

workshops and community markets where local artists and vendors can

sell goods without a booth fee.

a community painted path connects neighbors in a collaborative project and makes a personal mark on the space.

reCreationa park style grill and picnic area for people to gather, share food, and provides space for local cook-offs like oaktown throw down.

Convertible chess tables and a multi-level jungle gym create places for all ages to

oPtion ii provides infrastructure for residents to exchange skills, knowledge, and goods in response to desires expressed by the community for economic opportunities, access to fresh foods, and improved community networks.



oPtion iii: artS and Culture

dorCHeSter ProjeCtS/ CHiCaGo is a cluster of formerly abandoned buildings have been renovated into a vibrant cultural center. the project includes the Black Cinema House and a Reading Room for showcasing African-American films and literature.

before i die/neW orleanS is an interactive art project that invites people to share their personal aspirations in public. artist Candy Chang created this experiment on an abandoned house to create a organic form of story telling by and for the residents of her neighborhood.

Seating and

Gathering

flexible Space/Mobile access

recreation

Stage a place for expression, storytelling, and remembrance tied to the rich history of music and performance in oakland.

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PreCedentS

budGetlarge Custom tent: $5,000

Sculptural Seating: $2,000

Stage overhang: $2,000

Custom Wood Stage: $7,500

Projector/Screen/Sound: $2,400

trellis Plants: $2,000

trees and Planter: $340

Picnic tables: $2,000

benches: $1,500

folding Chairs: $600

trash Cans: $500

interactive Chalk Mural: $400

lighting: $3,300

jazz Mural: $5,000

Ground Painting: $4,000



total: $48,800

Wall demolition: $3,000

jump Castle: $600

flags: $1200



oPtion iii: deSiGn eleMentS reCreation

SeatinG and GatHerinG

artS and Culture


a stage for performances and

concerts brings music back to the California

Hotel. a screen above the stage brings people

together for movie nights and festivals.

Murals commissioned by local artists pay tribute to the african american music legends that once performed on the site.

Step seating provides informal space for concert and movie watchers and

functions a play structure at other times.

Colorful covered area with sight lines to the stage provides a shaded relaxed atmosphere for event-goers of all ages.

An inflatable jump castle provides entertainment for children during events.

Planted walls green the space without requiring asphalt removal. Plantings draw attention from the highway and serve to buffer noise from traffic.

Changeable letter board informs neighbors of

upcoming events.

flexible space for food trucks and carts increases interest in events and makes the space more comfortable

during longer programs.

interactive chalk murals with changing prompts such as i love oakland because.... creates a forum for community stories and opinions.

oPtion iii is designed as an event space for people to gather, celebrate, and tell stories. the proposal emphasizes public art and a stage for performers, educators and residents to reflect the communitys tradition of arts and culture.

flags designed by community members

depicting stories, local events and history draw

people into the space and create a sense of identity.



PraCtiCal ConSiderationS

Murals done on wood panels could be moved and installed at a different site.

Specific site features have been designed for mobility and can be relocated if the site is developed in the future.

a book exchange could build support for a library branch to be rebuilt somewhere in the neighborhood.

large structures like the stage or gazebo could be relocated to enhance another underutilized space.

vegetation could be replanted in-ground around the neighborhood.

SuMMarY of ProPoSalS

nature and HealtHimproves air quality and encourages physical well-being.

exCHanGeactivates local economy and strengthens neighborhood networks.

artS and CultureProvides a space for residents to showcase talents and involve themselves in artistic expression.

Pop-ups that inspire long term businesses could potentially move into the California Hotels vacant commercial space.

the wishing tree could become a permanent fixture of the neighborhood.

PoSSible PartnerS

vaCant

vibrant

beYond deSiGnin formulating these proposals we are attempting to serve the San Pablo avenue Corridor by proposing designs that spark inspiration. We hope to create a space that is shaped by community members and lays the ground for more permanent initiatives.

We see the small budget as an asset in thinking creatively and encouraging collaboration with local partners. The flexibility of the space is vital to its success. built elements and programing must evolve in response to community use and input.

Vacant to Vibrant

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