Lake Merritt Makeover

It was a 12-lane expressway not long ago; now, the southern shore of Lake Merritt is the perfect place for a picnic or a stroll.

The recently completed Lake Merritt Boulevard, just a few blocks from the headquarters of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), serves as the newest symbol of the ongoing transformation of the “jewel of Oakland."

“This is a real symbol of Oakland investing in itself,” said Oakland Mayor and MTC Commissioner Jean Quan at a "Love Our Lake Day" festival dedicating the boulevard last weekend.

By narrowing the roadway from twelve to six lanes, the boulevard freed space for a new four-acre park complete with an amphitheater, event space and restroom. A new pedestrian bridge and jogging path along with signalized intersections create a more welcoming pedestrian environment. The project also improves water quality and wildlife habitat through a widened, day-lighted channel in place of a more restrictive culvert (see diagram, right). A tidal marsh south of the boulevard's new elevated bridges has also been restored.

The project was conceived more than a decade ago by a group of activists concerned with the potential sale of public property adjacent to the lake for construction of a 12-story cathedral.

After persuading the city of the boulevard's benefit, the group gathered financial support through Measure DD, or the Oakland Trust for Clean Water and Safe Parks (approved by 78 percent of Oakland voters). Measure DD includes a range of projects improving transportation, parks and water quality around the entire tidal lake.

The bond measure contributed the lion’s share of funding for the project, with additional support from State Coastal Conservancy and Federal Highway Funds.

"This is a terrific example of a project that transforms excess space for cars into a community asset in the heart of Oakland," said MTC's Director of Planning, Ken Kirkey. "On top of that, it benefits the environment and economic activity around the lake, and was spurred by grassroots support. It serves as a model for the region."

See the project website for more photos, a time-lapse video of construction and more.

-Craig Raphael