Friday, April 25, 2014

International Blvd. Merchant’s Notice

Các cơ sở thương mại nhỏ trên đại lộ International bị đe dọa bởi tuyến đường xe bus cao tốc

-- Tập họp cộng đồng cho trọng tâm sự đòi hỏi đến vấn đề sự ảnh hưởng của các doanh nghiệp về dự án đường xe bus cao tốc

Oakland, CA – Vào ngày thứ ba , 29, 4 , 2014 lu8c 12 trưa , ở góc đường 20th Ave. và đại lộ International , các cơ sở thương mại vùng Đông vịnh Oakland sẻ có mô hình chổ đậu xe mới , vấn đề xe cộ và nơi bốc dở hàng hóa , đây là hình thể được kế họach bởi công ty AC Transit đường xe bus cao tốc (BRT) cho hành lang khu thương mại này .

Bằng cách chặn lại 2 làn đường xe chạy , đặt bảng hiệu không quẹo trái , và tạm thời không được phép đậu xe trên đại lộ International và 20th Ave, các cơ sở thương mại địa phương cố gắng lên tiếng cho sự nhận thức của mình về sự tác động của dự án BRT tới việc mua bán của họ , kêu gọi sự chú ý của AC transit và thành phố Oakland cho mục đích của họ
Với khẩu hiệu “Một BRT cho mọi người,” và “Công bằng cho cơ sở thương mại ” chủ doanh nghiệp nhỏ sẻ tranh đấu cho một giải pháp có thể thực hiện được , một điều khả thi dự án sẻ chấp thuận được . Những giải pháp khả thi này nhắm vào sự giúp họ giảm thiểu sự phá ở vở thương vụ bình thường của họ vẩn tiếp tục khi xây dựng và sau khi xây dựng xong . cũng như là những đòi hỏi này bao gồm sự giúp đở tài chánh cho họ nếu họ phải di chuyển cơ sở khi họ không thể mở cơ sở khi làn đường mới hình thành .


Theo AC transit , dự án chi khoảng 200 triệu dollars. Mục tiêu của doanh nhân là làm diu đi sự mất mát này họ đòi hỏi được bồi thường 6 triệu dollars


BRT Media Action Planning Meeting
International Blvd merchants are organizing to be heard. Fruitvale, San Antonio and Eastlake merchants are coming up with a united front to pressure AC Transit, and Mayor Jean Quan, to adopt local business owners proposals to address impacts during and after construction of the BRT.
Please attend this Meeting on:

Friday, April 25, 2014 at 3:30 p.m.
2025 E. 12th Street
East Bay Asian Youth Center


At this meeting we’ll discuss:
-The Seattle light rail consultant visit
-Details on Media Action on April 29, 2014 at 12 noon
-Your participation in speaking to the media
Why this meeting is so important?
Because merchants need to pressure the AC-Transit, and the Mayor Quan, to include our proposed solutions on parking, and business mitigations, on the final AC-transit’s BRT plan. This plan will be approved by the City Council on July 2014.
Keep in mind… BRT Construction is planned for early 2015! 
 For questions, contact: Andy Nelsen at 510-533-1092 x35 or andy@ebayc.org






 
Contact: Andy Nelsen
510-407-1887
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 22, 2014

International Blvd. Small Business Threatened By New Rapid Transit

-- Community Rally Focuses on Demands to Address Project Business Impacts --

Oakland, CA – On Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 12 noon, at the 20th Ave. and International Boulevard intersection, East Oakland merchants will replicate the new parking, traffic, and merchandise loading configuration that it is planned by AC Transit’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) for this commercial corridor.

By blocking two lanes to traffic, placing a no left turn sign, and by temporally not allowing parking on International Blvd. at 20th Ave, local merchants attempt to raise awareness of BRT impact to businesses, and to call attention of AC Transit and the City of Oakland, to their proposals.

With slogans such as “A BRT for Everyone,” and “Justice for Merchants” small business owners are advocating for workable solutions, given the strong possibility that the project will be approved. These proposed solutions aim to help them mitigate disruption to regular business operations during, and after construction. As well, these demands include relocation assistance in case some businesses become unviable in this new street configuration.

According to AC Transit, project cost will be approximately 200 million dollars. The merchant proposals to mitigate these impacts, beyond project design changes, are estimated at 6 million dollars.

VISUALS: Trucks blocking two lanes of traffic, community, merchants, banners, and signs


BRT is planned to run 9.7 miles from Downtown Oakland to Downtown San Leandro. All along this stretch a little over 500 parking spaces will be lost; almost all left turns will be prohibited; and from 14th Avenue to 107th Ave. (7.1 miles) on International Blvd the new vehicular traffic will be on two lanes, rather than the actual 4 lanes.

Hoping to mitigate these impacts local merchant are proposing: Neighborhood-based solutions for parking losses; increased public safety services for pedestrians where parking is lost; loading zones to offset the loss of a traffic lane; financial assistance and consulting help for businesses that lose revenue; and a relocation fund in for businesses forced to close because of BRT new configuration of this thoroughfare.

“I have had my business for over 40 years, I rely on customers being able to load in windows and shower-glass by the curb, my shop is in the middle of the block, and have no back alley…can AC Transit explain to me how BRT riders will be able to shop windows, furniture, and appliances from me, and from my merchant neighbors? With BRT I may have to close my business.” Manuel Romero owner of a glass shop in the light-industrial San Antonio neighborhood said.

“I learned that a BRT station will be in the middle of the street, steps across from my restaurant, and that my side of the block will gain one parking space, but on the other side 10 spaces will be lost. This means that customers of neighboring business will be competing for a parking spot in front of my restaurant. Since most of my customers come from other neighborhoods, I am not so sure that I can convince my customers to use the BRT to come to my restaurant, especially in the not-so-safe area of Fruitvale.” Juan Chavez whose restaurant is in the 3800 block of International Blvd. said.

International Blvd. Small Business Threatened By New Rapid Transit P.2

“Selling wholesale merchandise is possible when a business like mine has an appropriate loading zone, is close to a freeway, and the traffic to get here is swift. BRT with two lanes for traffic, instead of 4, limited loading, and no left turns will change all that. For my business to survive, I need to be located in an area zone for warehouse operations. First the City changes the zoning and now the BRT might push me out. I feel this project places me against a wall.” Allen Nguyen, who owns a nail wholesale supply store at the 1900 block of International Blvd. in San Antonio, commented on this project.

Lien Truong, owns an Asian specialty produce market on the 500 block of E. 12th at the Eastlake commercial district. On this district the BRT splits between E. 12th and International. She comments: “When I reviewed the AC Transit drawings I noticed seven street parking spaces loss on my side of the block; not only that, but the bus stop will be in front of my market’s entrance. This stop will feature a long shelter, and a raised platform, that will completely block my store’s visibility, and the dedicated traffic lane will make access to my driveway very challenging to my customers. To make my parking work for my business I will have to hire an attendant permanently to make sure that my customers are using it. So my question is who is paying for this? I heard about relocation assistance, but I want to stay in the neighborhood as 90% of my customers are Asian.”
Precedents to Business and Parking Mitigations
Recognizing that this type of projects involving street physical reconfiguration on commercial corridors, cities like Seattle and the Twin Cities (St. Paul-Minneapolis) that have implemented these public transportation systems, have also established successful business mitigations programs ranging from technical assistance, project design configuration, special assistance loans, marketing support, parking and business mitigations that included relocation funds. These business mitigation programs were a result of transit, county, and city agencies collaborating and engaging local businesses which allowed for a comprehensive impact assessment, and to come-up with project solutions.

About AC Transit’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in East Oakland
Construction of this new bus system will start on April 2015. Taken from the handout “AC Transit BRT Project Update Fall 2013, East Bay Bus Rapid Transit,” the project community benefits are described as follows:

BRT provide bus riders with higher efficient transportation between downtown Oakland and San Leandro.
With 34 stops BRT will offer pre-paid ticketing and dedicated transit lanes to reduce travel time.”
New crosswalks and traffic lights will enhance pedestrian safety and comfort. New lighthing, and more frequent transit service, will improve public safety.
The system’s design will provide greater access to people with limited mobility,as well as “riders with strollers or shopping bags.
The bus stations will receive customized artistic treatments integrated into the station design.
This investment of $178M will bring temporary construction jobs, create employment and business opportunities with AC Transit.


About East Bay Asian Youth Center (EBAYC) Neighborhood and Small Business Engagement
EBAYC organizes families to work across race, culture, and language to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods. We help families build relationships among each other through one-to-one and small group conversations, leadership training, research and advocacy activities, and public relations. EBAYC has been engaged in an on-going effort to eradicate street-level prostitution along International Boulevard through visibility actions, demand-reduction campaigns, and hot spot policing. Our collective efforts were instrumental in closing a local motel where prostitution activity was prevalent. EBAYC establishes relationships between neighbors and local merchants to work together in community solutions to address illegal dumping, graffiti, public safety and crime prevention, and in the design of neighborhood-friendly uses of public and private space. ###04/22/14
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