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CITY ov OAKLAND <br />CITY HALL • 1 FRANK H. OGAWA PLAZA • OAKLAND , CALIFORNIA 94612 <br />LAURENCE E. REID <br />Vice Mayor <br />Co ncilmember District X7 <br />reidilboaklandnet.com <br />Katie Benouar, Chief January 27, 2014 <br />Department of Transportation <br />Division of Transportation Planning <br />P.O. Box 942874, MS -32 <br />Sacramento, CA 94274-0001 <br />(510) 238-7007 <br />FAX: (510) 238-691C <br />TDD: (510) 839-6451 <br />RE: Application for Partnership Planning for Sustainable Transportation Grant for San Leandro Creek Multi -Modal <br />Greenway Project <br />Dear Ms. Benouar: <br />I am very pleased to offer my enthusiastic support for Partnership Planning for Sustainable Transportation Grant <br />Planning Assistance from Cal Trans for the proposed San Leandro Creek Multi -Modal Greenway project. <br />As the elected representative for Oakland Council District Seven (East Oakland bordering San Leandro), one of my main <br />on-going priorities has been addressing the lack of recreational and open space opportunities for our at -risk <br />neighborhoods, such as Columbian Gardens and Sobrante Park. My office has worked in partnership with the EBRPD, <br />BART and the County of Alameda on several key linear -park projects including the recently funded East Bay Greenway <br />and the efforts to increase access to the MILK Regional Park, Bay Trail and San Leandro Bay. This project will further <br />these goals. <br />The San Leandro Creek is an amazing and underutilized right-of-way that, when improved as a restored creek and trail <br />can dramatically improve the quality of life for residents and provide valuable access to spaces of nature and access for <br />mobility. Moreover, I have also seen other cities that have made great use of restoring creeks and greenways to <br />transform their communities. <br />Without a doubt, this project can turn the San Leandro Creek from being a "back door" dumping ground to becoming a <br />prized "front door" community asset that activates creek side businesses, provides educational opportunities for <br />adjacent schools and links neighborhoods to the beautiful regional parks we have in the East Bay Area. Most <br />importantly, I see this as an issue of environmental equity and, for this reason, I whole heartedly support the planning <br />and technical expertise Cal Trans can bring to this process in partnership with the other community stakeholders <br />involved. <br />On behalf of the City of Oakland District Seven, we look forward to the opportunity to work closely with Cal Trans and <br />move this project to reality for the health and resiliency of all our communities. <br />Sincerely <br />LarryR d <br />Vice Mayoao <br />nictrirt 7 <br />