Urban Releaf Providing Free Street Trees in Oakland

Urban Releaf is working to plant 1,200 trees in Oakland. You can contact them at 510-601-9062 or at http://www.urbanreleaf.org/  They have a list of approved street trees for Oakland and FAQs. Street trees are a great way to green up your neighborhood, lower your energy costs by providing shade and fight global warming. Also, they help to improve the quality of life for residents by fighting blight and they increase property values. Get your free tree now.

Sidewalk Repairs in North Oakland

As many of you have experienced, the City of Oakland's infrastructure is failing. There is little money to invest in basic core infrastructure such as roads and sidewalks, let alone create streetscapes that are inviting and pleasant. The City is faced with such a massive budget deficit that it will be eliminating 80 police even though Oakland has some of the most dangerous streets in the country. It comes as no surprise that replacement of failing infrastructure isn't much of a priority with the Ctiy nor is barely supported through the general fund.

So it was with great surprise and pleasure to recently see some badly deteriorated sidewalks in North Oakland finally being replaced. Residents on Tremont Street have been asking for years to have buckled sidewalks removed and replaced. The City attempted several stop gap measures by using asphalt to remedy trip hazards. However, that approach did not work as one resident recently tripped and was badly hurt. Now the homeowner, who had petitioned the City for years to replace the failing sidewalk in front of their house, and the City are subject to claims and possibly a lawsuit from the injured resident. The City has allowed hundreds, if not thousands, of trip hazards and dangerous

conditions caused by failing street pavement and buckling sidewalks. The City has been subject to many claims and has paid out millions of dollars for injuries caused by the city's negligence in maintaining its streets and sidewalks. Moreover, the failure to maintain their streets and sidewalks is a direct contribution to blight in Oakland, is a violation of their own blight ordinance and contributes to stagnating property values. If we are to have a walkable City and a bicycle friendly City then replacing failing infrastructure is critical.

We have to give a shout out to the Rosas Brothers Construction Company. Their crew were efficient, clean, and professional. The final work product was nothing less than excellent, marred only by a few neighborhood kids who couldn't resist writing their initials in the newly poured concrete. Their effort is exactly what one expects from a reputable business. It's too bad the City of Oakland employees don't share the same work ethic. Perhaps the vastly overpaid Oakland Public Works Department can take a few pointers from the Rosas Brothers.

Thank you Rosas Brothers!