Adam RollinsThe city of Oakland, California, has received federal grants from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to build a $40 million to $50 million community center that will provide emergency resources for residents.
The CDFA awarded $9.25 million to the project through the Community Resilience Centers (CRC) Program, an initiative that supports statewide projects that improve community facilities and enhance emergency preparedness capabilities. Construction of the 22,000-square-foot facility will begin in fall 2024.
The project will reconstruct and expand the current recreation center, replacing it with a two-story recreation and resilience center built on a 1.75-acre urban block park.
The facility will provide community resources during emergencies and disruptions, including a cooling and warming respite center that offers climate-controlled shelter during extreme weather. A clean air center will provide a safe space during poor air quality days. Solar panels will provide back-up power for phones and medical devices during black and brown outs. The center features a centralized distribution point for emergency information, as well as a commercial kitchen, restrooms and showers.
Plans for the recreation center include multipurpose program rooms, a larger children’s program room with connected outdoor activity space, a community gathering and exhibit space, a gym with indoor basketball and volleyball courts, an indoor-outdoor activity and patio space and outdoor badminton space. Offices, utility rooms and storage areas also are planned.
The center will receive new exterior landscaping alongside a stormwater bio-filtration system. The project incorporates sustainable design principles such as renewable energy, increased water efficiency and improved indoor environmental quality.
Strategic Partnerships, Inc. can provide information on contract opportunities, plus existing and future government funding. For more information, contact research@spartnerships.com.
