After nearly a decade of planning and public input, the City of Oakland has unveiled the Downtown Oakland Specific Plan (DOSP), a comprehensive framework designed to guide the evolution of downtown Oakland over the next twenty years. As noted by the City of Oakland, the plan tackles everything from housing and job creation to cultural preservation. The Oakland City Council officially adopted the DOSP on July 16. Mayor Sheng Thao stated that this plan promises a diverse downtown with activated spaces and constitutes a long-term vision for economic vitality.
Central to the DOSP are ambitious targets for the area's growth, envisioning the creation of 29,100 new housing units, more than 7,200 of which will be affordable. The plan also focuses on job growth, particularly near transit hubs. Notably, the plan consisted of extensive community engagement, featuring input from thousands of Oakland residents gathered through over 200 activities, as documented by the City of Oakland. These efforts reflect a commitment to racial equity and adaptive response to current social and economic conditions, including those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Provisions within the DOSP are comprehensive, including zoning changes to increase density and land use flexibility. This includes a Zoning Incentive Program to encourage developers to align with community needs by providing benefits like affordable housing and public realm improvements. As per the City of Oakland, Planning Commissioner Jennifer Renk praised the plan’s objectives, saying it "seeks to promote policies to uplift economic opportunities, preserve our culture, enhance mobility, produce housing opportunities across the board, and promote health and sustainability initiatives."
Looking ahead, the DOSP will undergo thorough reviews and revisions by various city departments. The plan comes attached with updates to the Zoning Map, Planning Code, and General Plan, aiming to enhance community assets ranging from local businesses to historic buildings. As outlined on Hoodline, the review process kicked off in May, encompassing public hearings and scrutiny from city committees and the full City Council, with opportunities for public feedback baked into the process.
