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THE OAKBOOK

POLITICS
Op-Ed: Stop the Leaks

No More Boarded Windows (V Smoothe)   

Even as the nation enters a period of deep cuts in consumer spending, it is time for Oakland to think seriously about retail recruitment. This is a vital, and often overlooked piece of what is needed to build a healthier and more successful future for our city. Many neighborhoods lack grocery stores, banks, and other basics. On a city-wide basis, Oakland loses many millions of dollars every year, due to the lack of retail success in our city – Oakland residents spend over $1 billion a year in other locations.

This problem – a city losing money and jobs because there is not enough retail attraction within the city, is called “leakage” – and Oakland has one of the highest retail leakage rates in the entire country.

It’s not simply about more stores. By improving our retail attraction, Oakland could create over 10,000 new jobs, and gain tens of millions of dollars in additional revenue every year. If elected, I will help implement a major effort to provide retail revitalization in Oakland. I will take advantage of the reports that have already been commissioned, such as the Conley Report, which found last year that the lack of retail in Oakland is not caused by a lack of local buying power.

From: Conley Report. Page 14. (page 21 of PDF document) Available online at:
http://clerkwebsvr1.oaklandnet.com/attachments/17272.pdf

The Conley Report makes clear that Oakland has the income base and “spending power” to support dramatically expanded retail. The missing ingredient is the political leadership to make retail attraction a priority, and help guide the plans into reality. City leaders need to make tough decisions about zoning, transportation, and redevelopment. Our efforts need to include promotion of businesses that we have, and support for their expansion, along with attraction of new businesses.

Retail revitalization needs to both look at city-wide efforts to bring more jobs and revenue, as well as targeting specific efforts in specific areas. Some neighborhoods are suffering more than others, with West and East Oakland hurting the most. (And frankly, some neighborhoods, don’t need much “retail recruitment” help.) I will work actively and immediately to ensure that basic services are available. I will meet immediately with stakeholders in East and West Oakland, and with business leaders, to help attract grocery stores, pharmacies, and banks to the areas most in need.

The Conley Report singled out Upper Broadway now known as Auto Row, as an area that could become a retail center, which could attract both people who live in Oakland, as well as serving as a destination for people from throughout the East Bay. Our retail attraction efforts should serve both to improve quality of life for local residents, while also increasing the revenues for the city – which provides the funding we need for basic local services. Think public safety.

I will look to successful models, including, for example, the main street program, and polling residents about what kinds of businesses and services they desire in their areas, and incorporating those responses into our retail strategy.

I will take advantage of Oakland’s existing data, to show potential retailers the possibilities for success in Oakland. For example, the new Conley Report makes clear that existing “buying power” within Oakland could support at least five additional full service grocery stores in our city. It also shows that we lose the largest amount of potential sales in “comparison goods” — things like home furnishings.  By using good data and information, we can also improve our outreach to encourage potential businesses to locate in Oakland.

In addition, our retail revitalization efforts need to take into account safety – including decent lighting and streetscape improvements where needed – and include exploring bringing safety patrols to commercial areas. For example, the city of Atlanta has implemented a Safety & Information patrol for commercial districts.  These uniformed professionals provide directions and information, along with improved public safety. Atlanta reports that this programhas succeeded both in reducing crime, and in attracting revenue.

Rebecca Kaplan, a civil rights attorney, is a Vice President of the AC Transit board. She is running for the Oakland City Council At-large seat. For more information, go to kaplanforoakland.org.

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