About
The Oakland Builders Alliance (OBA) is a non-profit organization that seeks to address economic and environmental issues for responsible development in Oakland. OBA was formed in 2007 with a membership cast from the design, engineering, construction, and real estate sectors. The organization’s mission is to promote partnership with the City of Oakland to enhance its safe growth while achieving economic benefits for businesses and the community at large. OBA sees its members teaming with City forces to formulate and enforce fair regulations in a streamlined manner to attract new development, thus grow City revenue and job opportunities.
CONTRACTORS
ARCHITECTS
ENGINEERS
ATTORNEYS
BROKERS
DEVELOPERS
VENDORS
CONTRACTORS ARCHITECTS ENGINEERS ATTORNEYS BROKERS DEVELOPERS VENDORS
Advocacy
Regular meetings with the City’s Building and Planning Department “working group” to advocate for policies and code interpretations that benefit developers and builders and help make government more efficient.
Frequent meetings with City management one-on-one regarding specific issues and concerns raised by members.
Newsletter reporting advocacy activity.
Political Action
Each election season the OBA interviews and endorses candidates.
The board is considering a similar endorsement process for legislative items, and ballot measures related to building and development.
Members present information and comment at City Council and Planning Commission meetings on items related to building and development.
Report on political action taken by OBA in our newsletter.
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The following are past speakers that have spoken to the OBA board membership since October 2021.
Mayor Libby Schaaf, City of Oakland
William Gilchrist, Community Development Director
Courtney Ruby, Oakland City Auditor
Ryan Russo, Oakland Department of Transportation
Peter Gamez, President & CEO, VisitOakland.com
Dhruv Patel, Chair of BODs, VisitOakland.com
Brook Turner, Executive Director, Jobs & Housing Coalition
John Protopappas, President, Jobs & Housing Coalition
Ed Reiskin, Oakland City Manager
Felicia Bryant, Oakland Acting Fire Marshal
Michael Hunt, Chief of Staff to Oakland Fire Chief
Sarah Kalinsky, Senior Advisor, SPUR “San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association”
2022 Mayoral Candidates: Ignacio De La Fuente, Sheng Thao, Seneca Scott, Treva Reid, Loren Taylor.
2022 City Council Candidates: D2 Harold Lowe, D2 Nikki Fortunato Bas, D4 Nenna Joiner, D4 Janani Ramachandran, D6 Yakpasua Zazaboi.
Ed Del Becarro, TRI Commercial
Bassam Altwal, CalAccessibility
Ed Manasse, Oakland Deputy Director Planning Bureau
Kevin Jenkins, D6 Councilmember
Dan Kalb, D1 Councilmember
Brian Mulry, Supervising Deputy City Attorney
Cristy Johnston Limon, Deputy Director Business Development Manager
Nico Nagel, Development Dir., & East Ba Organizer, Housing Action Coalition (HAC)
Steven Tavares, East Bay Insiders
Project Support
Member applicants for City entitlements present projects to our Board seeking a letter of support and a posting of their project’s details on the OBA website with an OBA endorsement.
Report on projects reviewed in our newsletter.
Networking
Regular mixers at Oakland bars, restaurants, & other establishments with sponsorship opportunities
Holiday party
Gala Fundraiser
Leaders and public figures relevant to local building, development and politics invited.
Events calendar in the newsletter