Oakland, CA – Today, City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of improvements to enhance the Downtown Oakland Senior Center located in the Veterans' Memorial Building at 200 Grand Avenue.
The Downtown Oakland Senior Center Improvements Project entailed a partial renovation of the ground floor of the building. The project refreshed worn out finishes that had not been upgraded since the 1980’s, including nearly 10,000 square feet of new flooring, painting, signage and LED lighting retrofits in the canteen, dining, crafts, computer and consignment rooms. These improvements make the space more inviting, with a fresh, clean look.
The project also included sewer lateral replacement, accessibility upgrades to the bathrooms, and ADA upgrades to the parking lot, including partial pavement rehabilitation, accessible parking stalls, signage, and curb ramps.
The $2.5M Downtown Oakland Senior Center project was funded through Measure KK, passed by the Oakland voters in 2016. ELS Architecture and Urban Design was the design team and Mar Con Builders was the contractor.
What they’re saying...
"Our Senior Centers are vital hubs for the community and enable seniors to socialize and interact with other active seniors. I’m so excited to see these renovated spaces,” said Interim Oakland Mayor Kevin Jenkins. "Thank you to Oakland voters for making these crucial improvements possible through Measure KK and thank you to the hardworking City of Oakland team for delivering this project on time and within budget."
“The Downtown Senior Center offers dance classes, crafts, computer courses, and other wonderful programs and activities for our elders,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “I’m excited that renovations to the Downtown Senior Center have been completed and thank everyone involved, especially City staff who work diligently to help improve the quality of life for our seniors.”
"I am so proud of the City staff and grateful to the project partners who brought this important project to fruition," said City Administrator Jestin Johnson. "The Downtown Oakland Senior Center is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the future. "
“The Downtown Oakland Senior Center is among Oakland's most precious resources,” said LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator. “In our unwavering commitment to Oakland's seniors, our Human Services staff work very hard every day to provide innovative programs and services for our seniors to be safe, healthy and realize their full potential.”
“The Downtown Oakland Senior Center is located in a glorious building with a rich history,” said Josh Rowan, Interim Oakland Public Works Director. “This project has made the building more accessible for visitors using mobility aids, more functional for the staff who cook meals in the kitchen or teach classes in the computer lab, and more comfortable for the seniors who enjoy the Center’s excellent programs every day.”
“If you haven’t yet been to the Downtown Oakland Senior Center, I encourage everyone to pay a visit,” said Ana Bagtas, Human Services Department Manager. “The DOSC offers Oakland residents activities that nourish the whole person as they age. The center provides healthy meals, exercise programs, fall prevention classes, and so many activities that build community and keep our seniors healthy, active, and independent. Best of all, membership is only $12 per year.”
“With the completion of the DOSC Capital improvement project, we’re excited to reopen some of the Center’s favorite spots, including the popular Consignment Shop,” said Jill Gernand, Chair, Downtown Oakland Senior Center Advisory Council. “People who are interested in volunteering at the shop can come to an overview presentation this Friday, Jan 31st at 11:00 AM to learn what’s involved.”
“The Mayor's Commission on Aging is thrilled to welcome back our Oakland seniors, our services providers, health and safety partners, our Veterans, families and friends to celebrate the re-opening of the Café, Consignment Shop and other sorely-missed spaces closed during construction,” said Lenore McDonald Gunst, Chair, Mayor's Commission on Aging. “Come see for yourself the vitality, energy and the involvement our seniors are contributing to our City of Oakland. We are very grateful to our City leaders and administrators for supporting our senior centers during this challenging fiscal emergency. Thank you!”
About the Downtown Oakland Senior Center
The Downtown Oakland Senior Center focuses on providing seniors (55+) with innovative programs and services that address the physical, mental, and emotional well being of older adults. Seniors are welcome to become a member at DOSC for $12/year. Membership opportunities include (no cost and low cost): exercise classes, art and writing classes, conversation groups, book clubs, group day trips, etc. Activities are in-person or on ZOOM.
DOSC is a community hub for senior services. Offering a ready-to-eat lunch program through Spectrum Community Services, senior relevant presentations in partnership with other organizations, and access to an Information and Assistance specialist available to provide individualized support referrals.
Unique to DOSC there is a Consignment Shop where members can consign items to sell and everyone can shop!
About Measure KK
Measure KK was approved by Oakland voters in 2016, authorizing the City to issue $600 million in general obligation bonds to improve public safety and invest in neighborhoods throughout Oakland. We are putting these dollars to work repaving streets and filing potholes, making bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements, repairing City facilities such as recreation centers, playgrounds and libraries, and creating thousands of affordable housing units.
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