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Community Groups Urge Developers of Oakland Army Base to Hire Locally

18 June 2010
OAKLAND, Calif. (KCBS) -- The developers in charge of revitalizing the former Army base, AMB Property and California Capital Group, should ensure that some of the jobs they create go to Oakland residents, a coalition of community groups said. Shirley Burnell with the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment wants more than just a handshake after both the city and the Port are expected to take significant votes on the redevelopment in the coming weeks. “We want to have a community agreement with the developers to make sure that the people in Oakland are the ones that are first considered for these jobs,” she said.

Listen to KCBS' Margie Shafer's report

She and other activists rallying on the steps of City Hall Thursday see a potential gold mine in the redevelopment of waterfront land that's the size of 200 football fields.

"This Army base redevelopment project is going to transform Oakland into a bustling center of international trade. It's going to give all of us, our neighbors, our friends, our families, a real opportunity for jobs," said Niki Bass, executive director fo the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy.

Temporary jobs in demolition and cleanup, and permanent positions for clerks, mechanics and forklift operators, represent a real opportunity in a city where unemployment stood at 17.3 percent in April, said Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson.

Carson and others want the two companies to commit to establishing a community-based training center, as well as outreach and job placement programs that include local hire requirements.

"We want to bring real jobs here with people making real money," Burnell said.

(jro)

This story can be found at http://www.kcbs.com/bayareanews/Community-Groups-Urge-Developers-of-Oakland-Army-B/7494067