These two men continue the tradition of beautifying West Oakland with another, coveted pile of demolition debris. Once likely a delightfully appointed kitchen, is now w work of public art on the corner of 16th and Mandela Parkway. Installed on April 23 at 6:23AM, the excitement of the piece was only outweighed by the well choreographed performance. The thundering GMC truck (CA - 6J36001) over the sidewalk, and percussive tenor of materials crashing to the ground were welcomed in the early morning hours; opening the day to wondrous opportunity. Thank you dumpers! Oakland: Love Life!

The intersection of 14th and Adeline streets is the location of multiple traffic collisions per month. Drivers routinely run red lights in all four directions, most typically on 14th St. Just today, a pickup truck t-boned an SUV carrying a family of three, then drove off towards the highway (on the wrong side of the road, no less). The family luckily suffered minor injuries, but their car was absolutely totaled. Aside from running red lights, drivers typically go way over the speed limit in this general area. What's more, the pedestrian signal crossing 14th St. is not in the "walk" position long enough to completely cross the street, unless someone is running. In a neighborhood with many very young, elderly, and disabled residents, this creates a multi-layered, dangerous situation. Some form of traffic calming is IMPERATIVE, and a review of the traffic signal timing would be well-advised.

Extension cord running across street

Homeless encampments along Mandela Parkway between 14 and 18th streets. No social distancing. Hypodermic needles on the side walk. Move the encampments to a secure location.

Mandela Parkway marks the location of the Cypress Viaduct Freeway that collapsed during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, taking 42 of the 63 lives lost that day. In the wake of the earthquake, the freeway was not replaced, but instead the tree-lined Mandela Parkway was built both to honor the victims and so that a freeway would no longer divide and segregate West Oakland. It is the result of almost 15 years of collaboration between the West Oakland community and various City and State agencies. It is one of the most beautiful streets in this neighborhood and was named after Nelson Mandela to honor the spirit of collaboration, courage and tenacity it took to create something beautiful from the ashes of such tragic history. 

As recently as this year, Mandela Parkway was a symbol of positivity in West Oakland. It was common to see residents relaxing together on the grass, enjoying the lush landscaping, walking dogs, exercising, eating treats from nearby businesses and otherwise building community. But now it is filed with encampments and so much trash and dumping that people cannot use the space. That the City allows this dishonors, disgraces, and defiles the legacy of Mandela Parkway and all that went into its creation. Please clean up the trash and encampments on Mandela (especially between 14th and 16th) and be good stewards of what this community and City so painstakingly built.

Homeless encampment is growing here. Trash, vehicles, etc.

Illegal dumping and debris