Hundreds of East Oakland residents and officials gathered Wednesday, Oct. 28, to break ground on the Residences at Liberation Park. The 119-apartment affordable housing building is going up on a long-vacant city lot at Foothill Boulevard and 73rd Avenue, next to Eastmont Town Center, the Oaklandside reports.
The project
- 119 units: 10 studios, 40 one-bedrooms, 33 two-bedrooms and 32 three-bedrooms, according to Eden Housing.
- Eden Housing says 25% of units are reserved for special-needs populations, and about eight include space for home businesses, such as artist work or family child care.
- Designed by Y.A. Studio and developed by Eden Housing with the Black Cultural Zone community development corporation.
- The $135 million for the housing comes from more than a dozen sources. Expected completion is 2028.
The Oaklandside describes the building as housing up to 400 residents earning 30% to 80% of area median income. Eden Housing's project page lists 20% to 60%. Residents are expected to be picked by lottery.
From parking lot to park to housing
The lot once held the mall's auto service center and, before that, a GM Chevrolet assembly plant. The city bought it in 2008. During the pandemic, the Black Cultural Zone turned it into Liberation Park, with a meals program, a farmers market and a roller-skating rink. In 2024 the city approved a 99-year lease and a $1.5 million loan. A marketplace, offices and the skating rink are planned next door.
"Put simply and clearly, we have needed a day like this for a very long time," said Black Cultural Zone CEO Carolyn Johnson.