Balancing Oakland's Budget
Closing the city’s structural deficit to move toward fiscal solvency and economic growth
SPUR Comes to Oakland
Urbanist Article / After years of planning and preparing, we are pleased to announce the launch of a SPUR office in Oakland. It’s a big step for us and, we hope, a big milestone for the region. Joining our offices in San Francisco and San Jose, our new location will help us influence the evolving shape of the Bay Area through in-depth work at the city level.
Governor Brown Sets Ambitious Climate Agenda for California
News / In his fourth inaugural address , Governor Jerry Brown gave climate hawks cause to celebrate the new year by proposing an ambitious energy policy agenda that will keep California at the forefront of fighting global warming for more than a decade. Brown called for 50 percent of California’s electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030.
Unearthing the Gems in Oakland’s Cultural Heartland
News / South of Lake Merritt, a challenging urban environment belies a wealth of assets and amenities that could form the raw material of a welcoming, integrated cultural district. SPUR has been engaged in discussions with the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA ) and its neighbors about ways to shift community experience and perception of the area.
What We Need to Get Right on VTA's BART Extension to Silicon Valley
News / It makes sense for Silicon Valley to have ambitions for world-class transit and great urban places. That’s why extending BART service to the South Bay has been an aspiration for a generation leaders. But getting the next project phase funded has stirred up strong feelings — and provided a reminder of all we need to keep in mind when making decisions about infrastructure investments.
Diri-DONE
Urbanist Article / After a five-year process, San Jose adopted an area plan for Diridon Station — already a major transit hub for the South Bay. With plans for high-speed rail and BART Silicon Valley in the works, the Diridon Station area is set to become one of the state’s most important connection points. The plan's vision for dense mixed-use growth could become a model for transit-oriented development.