Uptown Oakland

Uptown is a neighborhood in Downtown Oakland, California, located just north of the center of downtown. Its boundaries are ill-defined, but most definitions include the area around Grand Avenue at the north, Castro Street on the west, Frank Ogawa Plaza on the south, and Telegraph on the east.

Neighborhood Character

West of Telegraph Avenue, the neighborhood was for many years been largely made up of parking lots and garages. Most of these due to the cut and cover method the BART line employed in construction, destroying many of the older residential and commercial buildings. The area has gone through several failed urban renewal projects and proposals, including proposals for a shopping mall, an entertainment district, high-rise housing, and a professional baseball stadium, recently however redevelopment has taken place by large upscale apartments and restaurants, bringing some much needed money and foot traffic into the area.

The most recent development - a four story apartment complex with a park area called The Uptown - built by Forest City Enterprises, is currently finishing construction. A new surface street, Rashida Muhammad Street, has been built and named in the vicinity of the project, and the stated goal of The Uptown has been to enhance and build a new community in the area. This complex will also feature the "Remember Them" sculpture by Mario Chiodo, a local artist. The sculpture will be the largest bronze sculpture west of the Missisipi. [ [http://remember-them.org/ Chiodo: Remember Them ] ]

An art gallery district is located further up Telegraph toward 23rd Street. It evolves into a crowded and eclectic street scene during the monthly "Art Murmur" "art-walk" event on the first Friday evening of each month.

Uptown is near the Oaksterdam district of medical marijuana clubs which coincided with and supported a resurgence and demographic shift in retail and pedestrian activity in the area. It's proximity to this area has caused a large amount of hipsters to discover the area. This has lead to several successful cafe-bars like Cafe Van Kleef, and Mamma Buzz. There is also a well known (local) art collective and store called Rock Paper Scissors.

Architectural Landmarks

Uptown was Oakland's main shopping district in the early to mid 20th century. Many buildings from that era remain, including the Capwell's department store (now a Sears), and the art deco I. Magnin. The Paramount Theater is located here on Broadway, as is the Fox Oakland Theatre, on Telegraph.

The 19th Street/Oakland BART station is in Uptown, under Broadway. Oakland's art moderne Greyhound bus depot is on the other side of the neighborhood, on San Pablo Avenue at Interstate 980.

ee also

*Adams Point
*Chinatown
*Jack London Square
*Lakeside Apartments District
*Oakland City Center
*Oaksterdam
*Old Oakland

References