For Sadakao Whittington, a former inmate of Solano State Prison, a phone book-sized pamphlet about the Sprinkler Fitters’ union became a symbol of hope in the years leading up to his release.
For three years, Whittington diligently studied the union’s apprenticeship opportunities, dreaming of a brighter future.
When he was paroled in 2014, he eagerly approached the West Oakland Job Resource Center, only to learn that the Sprinkler Fitters weren’t hiring.
However, the resource center connected him with a job at the Oakland Laborers’ Union, which marked the beginning of his construction career.
Whittington fondly remembers working on the Army base redevelopment for three-week intervals, managing to scrape by with just enough wages to cover his rent.
Despite the challenges of living in a bare apartment and sleeping in a sleeping bag, he made the commute to the Laborers’ training facility in San Ramon, where he enrolled in classes for skills and certifications, including welding and heat fusion.
This experience offered a new lease on life, made possible by an employment deal struck in Oakland that aimed to hire local workers, especially those from historically marginalized or formerly incarcerated backgrounds.
Fast forward to today, a new report from the UC Berkeley Labor Center highlights the success of those local hire agreements.
The report notes that 25 years after the Army base’s decommissioning, the revitalization efforts have generated income for Oakland workers, increased career advancement opportunities, and addressed some of the racial injustices faced by West Oakland residents.
Whittington exemplifies the positive outcomes of these agreements; he is now a service foreman in the Oakland Sprinkler Fitters and teaches the apprenticeship classes he once yearned to join.
Reflecting on his journey, he acknowledges how the job resource center and the Laborers’ Union laid a solid foundation for his career.
Kate O’Hara, executive director of the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE), emphasizes that the Army base redevelopment serves as a model for similar efforts at the Oakland Coliseum, where a revitalization project is underway.
The city of Oakland and the Oakland A’s agreed to sell the Coliseum site to the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG), a local, Black-owned development firm aiming to rejuvenate East Oakland.
The region has faced economic challenges in recent years, particularly following the departure of its major sports teams, leading to job losses and diminished commercial activity in surrounding areas.
In recognition of this need, the deal with AASEG includes provisions for a community benefit agreement, aimed at ensuring local residents have a stake in the development process.
O’Hara stresses that community input and investment are priorities for AASEG while calling for collaboration among developers, city officials, and local organizations.
The agreement aims to create not only employment opportunities but also to ensure affordable housing, environmental protections, and sustained community engagement.
AASEG has committed to providing at least 25% affordable housing in its plans, alongside aspirations to restore recreational and commercial amenities valued by East Oakland residents.
Students from Castlemont High School have even contributed ideas on how to use the land, advocating for entertainment options like movie theaters and arcades, which have long been absent from their neighborhoods.
Despite the successes in construction jobs associated with the Army base agreement, researchers have noted that permanent job opportunities have not met expectations.
Andrew Jaeger, who authored the UC Berkeley Labor Center report, indicated that reduced business activity at the port has limited the availability of permanent employment opportunities.
This reality presents challenges for community advocates who are negotiating similar arrangements for the Coliseum site, particularly in light of historical disinvestment in the area.
Jaeger suggested exploring adaptable uses for vacant properties to allow for community benefits, particularly in cases where sites remain idle for long periods.
He emphasized that for any development initiative to succeed in meeting community needs, it is critical to have adequate representation at the negotiating table.
In AASEG’s case, the firm has reportedly engaged with more than 50 local organizations, residents, and youth to ensure their voices are heard in planning efforts.
AASEG’s approach reflects a commitment to building a legacy that transcends mere development; leaders emphasize the importance of creating sustainable benefits for future generations in East Oakland.
“There’s a strong desire to shift the narrative and impact positively,” says Ray Bobbitt, a managing partner at AASEG.
The community benefit agreement tied to the Coliseum development has the potential to create good jobs and restore vital public services and gather community support at each stage.
The momentum built around these negotiations shows that informed advocacy can lead to meaningful change and benefits, as demonstrated by the experiences of individuals like Whittington.
With the right policies and community engagement, the Coliseum project could replicate the successes seen at the Army base, potentially transforming East Oakland into a thriving economic center.
As initiatives progress, the vision remains to create spaces that are not just for profit, but also for the enrichment and upliftment of the community.
image source from：https://www.kqed.org/news/12041329/oaklands-army-base-redevelopment-was-a-win-for-locals-can-the-coliseum-be-the-same
