The Oakland Heritage Alliance has presented its Partners in Preservation Award for enhancing Oakland to the Oakmore Homes Association, former City Councilman Dick Spees, City Councilwoman Jean Quan and Oakland’s Public Works Agency for the rebuilding and repair of four sets of stairs that link together separate parts of the hillside community.
Kurt Lavenson, a member of the Oakmore group, says the award highlights the community spirit that, after three years of activism, ensured that the project crossed the finish line.
“We also wanted to acknowledge Public Works for overcoming bureaucratic inertia,” Lavenson said. “There are so many reasons that projects like this die.”
Lavenson and Virginia Lew led discussions with Oakland officials about repairing the dilapidated stairs, which connect Leimert Boulevard and Bridgeview Drive; Bridgeview Drive and Arden Way; Leimert Boulevard and Oakview Drive; and Oakview Drive and Hoover Avenue.
Lavenson said Mike Neary, engineering division manager of the Public Works Agency, also deserved credit for the project’s successful completion.
Neary agreed to suggestions “that didn’t cost a lot more and made the project special,” Lavenson said.
The 400 steps re-opened in July after 18 months and $330,000 worth of work, according to Jeanette Edgerly of the city's Public Works Department.
Reach Tricia Caspers at 510-748-1682 or tcaspers@cctimes.com.