"New designations were added to the list with City Council approval," says Landmarks Board staffer Joann Pavlinec, "and board sponsored workshops on preservation topics during the past year helped raise awareness of the benefits of landmarking."

"As I look back at 2005, intense development pressure throughout the city has made carrying out preservation projects a challenge," says OHA president Naomi Schiff. "Despite this, a number of key projects are going forward."

Reports that the long vacant yet stately train station at 16th and Wood Streets will be fully renovated as part of a forthcoming housing development using vacant acreage surrounding the former Amtrak facility made news in 2005. Speeches by concerned community activists convinced council members to require the development team to preserve not only the station's main waiting room but the adjoining baggage wing as well — an acknowledgement that during the years, the labor of West Oakland residents, including many African Americans, has been a contributing factor for the railroad companies' continuing prosperity, says Schiff.

There was progress on the front to reopen the historic Fox Theater, with approvals from the council to adapt the flanking commercial wings of the complex for the Oakland School for the Arts, and funding appropriated to convert the auditorium into a cabaret-style performing-arts space.

Construction of nearby housing (the project's groundbreaking took place this week) will transform the so-called uptown district. Completion is scheduled for 2007. "We look forward to a reopened Fox to be the anchor feature for the new uptown," says Schiff.

How best to adaptively reuse the historic Ninth Avenue Terminal on the waterfront is under debate as 2005 draws to a close, says Schiff. There appears to be community support for retaining the 1920s-era break bulk cargo facility, the sole remaining example of its type, as part of another new residential development.

"We plan to continue advocating for the terminal's preservation as this major project proceeds through the approval process in the coming year. We do feel it is an irreplaceable example of Oakland's heritage," says Schiff.

OHA remains concerned for the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.

"With the reawakening of the children's holiday pageant held this season in the arena, we hope this important civic landmark can continue to function as a public space."

During Preservation Month in May, four new landmarks and two historic districts received their final approvals, says Pavlinec.

"The Landmarks Board decided to bring all of the applications forward together to the council."

Three of the four new landmarks are city-owned structures, Pavlinec adds.

"The city can lead by example by promoting its own historic buildings and thereby encourage more private owners to landmark their eligible properties."

The city's newest landmarks are the Municipal Boathouse, the Malonga Casquelourd Arts Center (formerly the Alice Arts Center) and the Lionel Wilson Building (the flat-iron building at Broadway and 14th Street).

The St. Andrews Missionary Baptist Church, 27th and West streets, also was landmarked in 2005.

Lost to the wrecking ball this past year were the old Fabiola Hospital Building on Broadway and MacArthur Boulevard, the Royal Hotel on San Pablo and the Post Building on 20th Street. Much of the Cox Building on Harrison is no more, although the main facade does remain and will be part of the new Whole Foods grocery. Studio One (a recreation arts facility occupying a 100-year-old former orphanage) on 41st Street is set to undergo renovation, and its popular arts programs have moved temporarily to the Malonga Casquelourd Arts Center.

Last but not least, historic City Hall marks 10 years since reopening, following repair of extensive damage caused by the 1989 earthquake.

The public is invited Landmarks Board's 2006 goal-setting meeting Jan. 20. Contact Pavlinec at 238-6344.

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