Helping make Oakland a better place

October 2020

45 Stories for 45 Years

Contributor: Mike Pyatok, Principal, Pyatok Architecture and Urban Design

I have known EBALDC since the late 1980s when I was teaching some design studios with grad students from UC Berkeley and the University of Oregon. We were focused on how to take advantage of the higher densities permitted by existing zoning along International Boulevard, while so much of that street was lined with only one- or two-story buildings, or simply parking lots. Joshua Simon, then head of EBALDC’s Real Estate Development team, and Lynette Lee, EBALDC’s first Executive Director, saw the same potential and were kind enough to give some of their time to the students as they explored mixed-use, higher density housing along that boulevard. The rest is history.

Seeing the potential of the boulevard as a “main street” of East Oakland, by 1997 EBALDC had finished Hismen Hin-Nu on International between 25th and 26th Avenues; in 2008 it completed Seven Directions on International near 29th Avenue; and in 2020, nearby on East 12th Street and next to the Fruitvale BART station, they finished Casa Arabella. I was blessed to be a part of those developments, and about a dozen years ago, while under Lynette’s leadership, EBALDC gave me a “life-time’” achievement award. At the ceremony in my thank-you speech, I had to admit to Lynette and the staff of EBALDC, that while I was honored, I also felt like they were telling me it was time to retire!

I always enjoyed EBALDC’s annual dinners, and I remember at one of them I successfully bid for a dinner that would be prepared by Lynette for a party with 10 of my friends. As the years went by I never had a chance to take her up on it, and occasionally when we crossed paths she would remind me that she still owed me that dinner. At this point, I should say, I owe Lynette and all of EBALDC that dinner and much more for allowing me, and my colleagues, to be a part of such a progressive and creative organization, helping make Oakland a much better place for its hard working people.

As EBALDC marks our 45th anniversary, we will be gathering more stories like this one from our friends, family, community members, partners and more stakeholders that have made our impact possible. We would be honored for you to join us:

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