The Laurel District Association (LDA) is a 501(c)(3) property-based Business Improvement District (PBID) established to revitalize the commercial corridor. The property owners on MacArthur Blvd from 35th Ave to High Street voted to pay an additional assessment tax based on the square footage, useage, and frontage of the lot size. The assessments are managed by the Board of Directors according to the District Management Plan passed by City Council December of 2005. The LDA is organized into committees that work to revitalize the Laurel District and increase the quality of public improvements and educational, cultural, artistic, charitable and social services within the Laurel District and the surrounding neighborhood.
Photo of a Laurel District Association Public Art and Facade Improvement Project. Pictured: Kim In Song, Owner of House of Produce
LDA Areas of Focus:
Organization
Charged with the budget allocation for administration of the BID
Accomplishments: Hired an Executive Director, effectively organized the newly formed organization
Projects: Monthly meetings, working with a consultant to move the organization forward
Public Rights of Way (PROW)
Controls the budget allocated for maintenance, security, and beautification.
Accomplishments: Hired First Building Maintenance to remove trash in the district 6 days a week, steam clean the sidewalks monthly, remove graffiti and perform general maintenance on a weekly basis.
Projects: The Streetscape Character Task Team is developing a plan to activate the streetscape project that completed in 2004 by purchasing and maintaining planters throughout the district.
Land Use
Follows developments slated for the vacant lots, zoning issues, vacancy issues and business attraction
Accomplishments: Organized a community summit to discuss the C-31 zoning and the planned development projects
District Identity
In charge of marketing, branding, website and special events
Accomplishments: Merchant Directory, LDA website
Projects: The 12th Annual Laurel World Music Festival, August 12th
Community Advisory Board
Collaborates with the various community groups like the NCPC's and other residence groups like Laurel Village, Redwood Heights Community group, and contacts with Maxwell Park, Allendale and Brookdale
Accomplishments: Laurel District Identity Summit
Projects: Hosting a series of seminars and workshops to educate the community and create a Laurel identity that will brand the district
The Board of Directors meets monthly on the 3rd Monday of the month at various locations along MacArthur Blvd. Please email us for monthly meeting locations: laureldistrictassociation@gmail.com
Board of Directors
CHAIR
Jain Williams, State Farm Insurance
4222 MacArthur Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94619
(510)530-3222
Jain.williams.clgr@statefarm.com
TREASURER
Dorothy Okamoto, Laurel Optometry
3714 MacArthur Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94619
(510)530-2330
dorothyokamoto@netscape.net
SECRETARY
Ada Chan
Laurel Resident Representative
OTHER BOARD MEMBERS:
Joanna Gritz, Marquardt Property Management, 4164 MacArthur Boulevard
Oakland, CA (510) 530-2050
DAVID Operario, KFC, 3734 MacArthur Boulevard
Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 530-3335
Executive Director, Tommy Wong – laureldistrictassociation@gmail.com
