Oakland: International Boulevard

A Chance for a More Vibrant Area and Better Transit Service

The International Boulevard corridor could be a major section of the future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route that is proposed to run from Berkeley through Oakland to San Leandro. 

TransForm and Oakland Community Organizations (OCO) are working together to engage community members in a planning process for the corridor, called the International Boulevard Specific Plan.

Engaging Merchants and Local Residents in Land Use Planning Can Yield Great Results, Like Revitalized Business Districts AND More Affordable Housing

The Specific Plan will outline land use and urban design changes to support the transition of International Boulevard into a more vibrant community , better connecting neighborhoods along the corridor.

The Specific Plan will propose land use changes in order to improve walkability and transit use. The plan will also include a Housing Element that will explore strategies to provide MORE affordable housing to low and moderate income households near transit, minimizing the need for auto-dependancy.

The plan will focus on several segments of the corridor that would most benefit from increased community involvement in current planning efforts:

14th to 19th Ave. (Council District 2, San Antonio)
23rd to 42nd Ave. (Council District 5, Fruitvale)
57th to 61st Ave. (Council District 6, Havenscourt-Lockwood)
71st to 77th Ave. (Council Districts 6 & 7, Hegenberger / 73rd)
89th to 101st Ave. (Council District 7, Elmhurst)
and 102nd to Durant. (Council District 7, Elmhurst South)

TransForm and OCO are reaching out to community members to ensure valuable, meaningful involvement in the planning process. Through this outreach, TransForm and Oakland Community Organizations will also help to provide education on the value of creating more housing along the corridor and addressing the concerns regarding community safety, job creation, and access to getting one's daily needs met.

Current Efforts

TransForm and OCO are looking forward to the results of a Community Needs Assessment Survey that will better inform policies to incorporate in the final plan.

In addition to promoting community-identified needs, TransForm is also interested in looking at the ways in which the plan can:

• Create more diversified housing stock in Oakland to curb the negative effects of gentrification
• Promote density to strengthen affordability, help to solidify the future BRT ridership base, and create critical mass for developing vibrant, community spaces
• Increase access to healthcare needs, education and cultural opportunities that preserve and strengthen current community character
• Creating a safer streetscape and building design guidelines that reduce the opportunity for crime and which strengthen and support local businesses
• Ensure parking and traffic demand management policies in the plan accordingly for people, bikes, buses, and cars.

Key Stakeholders Along The Corridor

TransForm has spent the last four years reaching out to numerous Key Stakeholders in the community along International Blvd. We are firmly dedicated to ensuring that any approved community plan reflects the interests of the existing residents, and results in a corridor that allows every individual and family to flourish in a safe, healthy, and beautiful environment.

Get Involved 

To learn more and get involved in the City's planning efforts, please contact Joel Ramos of TransForm, visit the City of Oakland's webpage on Strategic Planning or contact the City of Oakland's lead planner for the project, Elois Thornton at EAThornton@oaklandnet.com.