APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. ______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBER REID, COUNCILMEMBER GALLO,
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE KALB AND COUNCILMEMBER KAPLAN
RESOLUTION RENAMING THE EAST OAKLAND SPORTS CENTER TO
THE LARRY E. REID SPORTS CENTER, IN HONOR OF HIS LEGACY AND
DEDICATION AND SERVICE TO OAKLAND
WHEREAS, the East Oakland Sports Center, located at 9161 Edes Avenue, has served as a vital hub for recreation and fitness for Oakland residents, particularly those in District 7, since its opening in 2011; and
WHEREAS, former Councilmember Larry Reid served on the Oakland City Council for 24 years (1997-2021), making him the second-longest-serving Councilmember in Oakland’s history after former Councilmember Frank Ogawa’s 28-year tenure; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure, Councilmember Reid held several distinguished leadership roles, including President of the Oakland City Council, Vice Mayor of Oakland, Chairman of the Rules and Legislation Committee, and Chairman of the Alameda County Transportation Commission; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Reid was instrumental in the construction of the East Oakland Sports Center, helping the Community and Economic Development Agency secure $11 million in funding from Measure DD via Resolution 81488; and
WHEREAS, the East Oakland Sports Center was initially envisioned as a potential Olympic training site for the 2012 Games and has since evolved into a premier community recreation facility, featuring a 25,000-square-foot, LEED-Silver-certified complex with a 9,000-square-foot indoor water park, dance studios, and versatile spaces for fitness and wellness programs; and
WHEREAS, Councilmember Reid’s advocacy extended beyond the Sports Center to numerous development projects in District 7, including housing initiatives in Durant Square and along MacArthur Boulevard, the revitalization of Foothill Square Shopping Center, and upgra des to major sites like the Oakland Zoo, the Coliseum, and Oakland International Airport; and
WHEREAS, his leadership fostered economic growth along the Hegenberger Corridor, establishing it as a major economic hub by attracting substantial public and private investment, including major retailers such as Walmart, Starbucks, In-N -Out, Wing Stop, and Raising Cane’s, making Hegenberger Road Oakland’s highest self-tax revenue-generating corridor; and 3387520v1/ARM 2
WHEREAS, Councilmember Reid supported local businesses and economic development by advancing Auto Row on I-880, featuring major automotive brands like Toyota, Lexus, and Acura, and hosting annual small business symposiums and job fairs, which connected thousands with business and employment opportunities; and
WHEREAS, renaming the East Oakland Sports Center as the Larry E. Reid Sports Center would honor Councilmember Reid’s enduring contributions to East Oakland and his transformative impact on District 7; and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 56600 C.M.S. sets forth the procedure for designating official names for park and recreation facilities in the City of Oakland, and Resolution No. 65024 C.M.S., sets forth the procedure for designating official names for municipal facilities, including park and recreation facilities, in the City of Oakland; and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 65024 C.M.S. specifies that any request to rename a park or recreation facility be referred to the Oakland Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) and the recommendation of the PRAC then be referred to the Rules and Legislation Com mittee, and that the Rules and Legislation Committee recommendation then be referred to the City Council; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the Oakland City Council hereby approves renaming the East Oakland Sports Center to the Larry E. Reid Sports Center, in honor of his legacy of service and dedication to the Oakland community; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: That the City of Oakland may incur one -time costs for the fabrication and installation of new signage around the Sports Center, updates to public information materials, and the installation of a commemorative plaque, with costs potentially absorbed into existing operational budgets and managed by the Oakland Public Works Department; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: That this renaming aligns with Councilmember Reid’s vision for inclusive community development, reinforcing the Center’s mission to provide affordable, quality recreation for all residents of Oakland.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES-FIFE, GALLO, JENKINS, KALB, KAPLAN, RAMACHANDRAN, REID, AND
PRESIDENT FORTUNATO BAS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California