This has been a controversial issue in the Adams Point area. 401
Fairmount is currently a rather slumy dwelling not far from the new
Whole Foods store still under construction. Apparently, AHA wants to
obtain the City of Oakland's help in buying and then renovating this
place. On the surface, it seems like a good idea. But for some reason,
certain people don't want the City of Oakland to spend money on AHA to
improve it. Check out this email message from one concerned resident: I
just drove by the building the housing advocates want to buy. It is one
of the two Pearl Street hell holes that have been repeatedly raided by
OPD and the state bureau of narcotics. It's just up the block from
where the man was murdered for his parking place. This makes
me so mad. The building is owned by a couple who lives on Skyline
Boulevard and who has two other properties in our neighborhood, also
run down, though not as badly as 401 Fairmount. Indeed, 401 Fairmount
is the most dilapidated cash cow you ever saw, generating about
$399,000 a year in revenue. That's cash flow positive even at
rock bottom rents, unlike the renovated duplexes in our community
,which are severely cash flow negative. The couple's total tax bill on
the property is $26,182, though the problems created by their building
are enough to keep 10 OPD officers employed full time. Meanwhile,
their 35-unit building is in such awful shape that just being in a unit
whose rugs haven't been cleaned in 20 years can bring on an asthma
attack. I'm told the entire building is seismically unsafe and that the
balcony railings are rusted. And that's just the beginning of the code
violations. If the place is so bad, why not welcome AHA's
involvement? What does the person want, for the problems she points out
to remain? Confusing at best.
AHA Meeting
Affordable
Housing Associates (AHA) invites the HarriOak community to discuss
AHA's interest in purchasing and renovating a dilapidated apartment
building located at 401 Fairmount Avenue. Please join AHA staff to
share your ideas and concerns.
Monday Sept 24, 2007
7:15 pm
First Congregational Church of Oakland
2501 Harrison Street.
