DESIGN CONCEPTS

1. Restore the Urban Fabric
The 12th Street area should be restored as part of the urban fabric of Oakland. It is the basic vocabulary of our communities: pedestrians, city streets, green parks, and natural areas that should be observed. In this way, these proposals seek to knit together the neighborhoods of the South end of Lake Merritt. The Kaiser Convention Center should be reconnected to the Lake.

2. Connection to Channel Park and the Oakland Estuary
The lake is currently cut off from the estuary, both physically and in spirit. No safe pedestrian access is possible to Channel Park from the Lake. As the Estuary area becomes an attractive public destination, access must be improved in kind. The environmental health of the Lake is extremely dependent upon tidal flushing through the channel. Removing barriers such as low culverts will allow for cleaner water in the lake and improved habitat for fish and wildlife.

3. Civic District
Several significant, civic entities make up the 12th Street district: the Oakland Main Library, County Administration Building, County Courthouse, Cameron Stanford House, Kaiser Convention Center, Laney College, Oakland Museum and the Fire Alarm Building. Recognizing the civic importance of these uses, the redesign of 12th street provides a stage for civic life, architecture, and grandeur. Large scale gatherings that would be appropriate in this forum. The ornate Kaiser Building and grand courthouse should be unified with their setting. The BART station should be made more accessible to lake users.