US Department of Transportation Awards East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation with $2MM Reconnecting Communities Grant

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 17, 2025

Press contact: Vicki Shu, vshu@ebaldc.org, 510-606-1812

US Department of Transportation Awards East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation with $2MM Reconnecting Communities Grant

OAKLAND, CA – The East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) announced receipt of the US Department of Transportation Reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant of $2 million.

The “Oakland Chinatown I-880 Underpass Activation Project” (OCUAP) will provide planning resources to improve the connection and pedestrian experience between Oakland Chinatown to Jack London Square and future economic developments along the waterfront. The grant funds the creative engagement of the community and local partners to co-create plans that would activate the blighted land under Interstate 880 and improve pedestrian safety.

Comments Senator Alex Padilla, “Congratulations to EBALDC on this funding to support their critical project to ensure safe and sustainable mobility for residents, businesses, and visitors of two vibrant communities in Oakland. This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will also create a shelter-to-housing pathway plan for unhoused and low-income residents, including those who currently reside under the I-880.”

“For too long, the I-880 has divided and harmed Oakland’s vibrant Chinatown community. As someone who is legally blind and is transit dependent, I know personally how accessible and safe transit options are the difference between surviving and thriving.” Congresswoman Lateefah Simon said, “This project will help bridge the gap between Chinatown and other portions of Oakland and begin to rectify harmful infrastructure decisions that have divided the neighborhood and foster community building with historically disadvantaged families. I am excited that we have secured this funding for Oakland, and I am thankful to my predecessor Congresswoman Barbara Lee, for her advocacy of this project.

“Oakland’s Chinatown is home to the city’s highest concentration of pedestrian and bicycle collisions,” noted Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT) Director Josh Rowan. “ OakDOT is thrilled to expand our partnership with EBALDC to creatively engage with Chinatown residents, businesses, and stakeholders to improve pedestrian safety and economic vibrancy through proven infrastructure strategies such as lighting, wayfinding, and placemaking to under-crossings and complete streets.”

Janelle Chan & Congresswoman Barbara Lee

EBALDC CEO Janelle Chan emphasized the grant’s importance for Chinatown: “Freeways have long sent cars whizzing by Chinatown, cutting the neighborhood off from current and future economic activity along the waterfront. This grant amplifies the influence of community voices and redirects future planning efforts to focus on reknitting our neighborhoods, enabling families to walk safely to and from the natural and cultural assets of Oakland, and driving foot traffic back into our small businesses. We are thankful to our friends and allies in DC and look forward to working with our local public and community partners to meet not only the needs of Chinatown but our aspirations for Oakland.”

EBALDC Board President Leslie Francis commented, “As a third-generation Oaklander who weekly walks the streets between Chinatown and Jack London, I am thrilled by the potential for this grant to support the necessary planning work that brings back the vibrancy I’ve seen and know is possible for the Oakland we love and desire.”

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About East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation

The East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) is a nonprofit community development organization celebrating over 50 years of bringing people and resources together to build healthy, vibrant, and safe neighborhoods where everyone has a place to call home. EBALDC partners with residents and local leaders to co-create neighborhood solutions, so everyone plays a role in shaping their future and strengthening their community fabric. EBALDC is one of the region’s leading affordable housing developers and serves more than 6,000 people and 114 small businesses and nonprofits annually.