City of Oakland's push for gentrification

Broadway Auto Row (now being renamed and redeveloped as Uptown)

Broadway Auto Row (now being renamed and redeveloped as Uptown)

Old 1/4 lb Giant Burger drive-in in the Uptown neighborhood 

Old 1/4 lb Giant Burger (not clear if it will stay burger drive-in or redeveloped into different business)

Oakland is changing rapidly.  The City of Oakland has made it no secret that it is rolling out the red carpet to developers.  The first two photos show old auto dealerships which are being redeveloped.  Oakland City Council wants to transform Broadway Auto Row into an area for high-end retail businesses and restaurants.  Over the last two years, I have noticed auto dealerships moving out and slowly being replaced by restaurants and clothing boutiques.  Broadway Auto Row was created in the 1990's as a way of creating jobs and bringing people outside of Oakland into the city to spend money.  The development project was successful.  However, Oakland's city leaders believe the city can make more money by attracting high-end retail and restaurants.  The city has already replaced the signs designating the area as Broadway Auto Row with signs designating the area as Uptown.  The Uptown redevelopment pushed by our former mayor Jerry Brown was originally planned for only the north end of downtown Oakland.  Jerry Brown assured city residents that the Uptown development would not disturb the neighborhoods north of downtown or around Lake Merritt.  However, the Uptown development project has fueled gentrification beyond its borders.  The residential neighborhoods (Pill Hill, Oak Glen Park, and Oakland-Harrison corridor) next to Broadway Auto Row a.k.a Uptown will all be greatly impacted by the redevelopment.  Once restaurants and high-end retail moves in, the surrounding areas will be seen as "desirable" to live in.  Older residents will be pushed out (if they were not lucky enough to buy) and they will be replaced by wealthier people who most often are white.

The bottom two photos show an old drive-in at the edge of the north side of downtown (within the Uptown redevelopment area).  Up until recently, Oakland has been home to old drive-ins, mom and pop run restaurants, diners, and bars.  As Oakland changes these old businesses are being replaced with restaurants and bars which cater to hipsters and wealthier customers.  The 1/4 lb Giant Burger has been in business on Telegraph Ave. for as long as anyone can remember.  Now, the drive-in has been shut down and workers have arrived to work on the building.  It is unclear if it will continue as a drive-in.  If it stays a drive-in it most likely will be remodeled to appeal to a hip, younger, and richer crowd.