"I specifically requested Swans as the location for my retirement party because to me it represents a successful example of revitalization in our downtown," said Nowak, as she reflected on all the changes to Oakland since she came to work in the city's real estate department in the early 1970s.

She was a graduate student in architecture at UC Berkeley when she started as a work-study student for the department.

"Many of my fellow students were eager to work for Oakland's community development and real estate departments, because the city staff there were considered to be innovative and creative," she said.

It was an exciting time to be working here, as Oakland was poised to undergo many changes.

It was the era of Mayor John Reading's tenure, and a transplant from Cleveland, a redevelopment specialist and city planner named John B. Williams, had been recruited to head Oakland's Redevelopment Agency.

Of Williams, she said he "was such an inspiring person to work for, he had incredible charisma and vision.

"Mr. Williams understood the value of visual presentations, since he also had a background in commercial art. He wanted someone who could not only take photographs of all the changes, but who could mount exhibits and presentations as well. I was able to demonstrate those abilities, and so I was soon immersed in documenting the Acorn neighborhood's transformation.

"Most of the older homes in that neighborhood (in West Oakland) ended up being demolished, and were replaced with high-rise residential towers," Nowak said.

Nearby Oak Center residents saw what was happening and registered strong protests. They did not want to be forced to give up their homes, many of which had once been elegant 19th century-era mansions.

"I have to say Mr. Williams did listen to that community, and when federal HUD funds came through for home restoration and rehabilitation, he directed the agency to help homeowners fix up their houses," she said.

Nowak continued to take photographs, as the old homes were eventually restored.

She estimates she has accumulated at least 100,000 images, slides and negatives, and has maintained the collection while moving to various city offices around town.

"For a time we were in the Latham Square Building on Telegraph Avenue, and then moved to the City Center Wells Fargo Building on 14th Street and Broadway. It was the first high-rise building constructed as part of that redevelopment project. In those days, the Redevelopment Agency was a semi-autonomous entity, much as the Port of Oakland functions today — separately from the city."

Nowak remembers well the aftermath of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. "Our city department was at that point located in an older building (formerly the headquarters for a transportation company) on Clay Street near City Hall. Because of earthquake damage, we were not allowed back into our building for many weeks. Fortunately, I was eventually able to retrieve all of my photo files before the building had to be demolished."

During the years, Nowak has been present for countless groundbreakings, community center openings, housing project ribbon cuttings and public art unveilings.

Places such as the historic Peralta Hacienda Park, which some consider to be the birthplace of Alameda County and Preservation Park, where several homes in the path of Interstate 980 were moved, then later restored, are dear to her heart. "And I am particularly proud I-980 freeway was dedicated to John B. Williams (who died of cancer at the age of 59 in 1976, after 12 years with the agency). He deserves a good deal of credit for what he did for the city and should not be forgotten."

At last week's gathering, photo display boards with examples of Nowak's work were on hand, and some of those present marveled at younger images of themselves. "Oh, those hairstyles," one guest muttered.

"I am looking forward to spending time volunteering, traveling and cooking delicious meals, as well as pursuing art and music classes, perhaps foreign language too." Nowak is proud to call herself a "10-K'er," having recently purchased a condo unit in the Landmark Place development on 12th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way.

"I am also looking forward to going back to my hometown, Buffalo, N.Y., where I first started noticing all the beautiful historic neighborhoods and parks. I have always enjoyed photography, ever since my father bought me my first brownie camera when I was 13," she recalled fondly.

One of Nowak's final projects before stepping down was to redesign the city tours program's walks brochure. She selected file photos of Chinatown, Preservation Park and the uptown area, and took new shots of other landmarks downtown.

"I am really proud of how it turned out," she said.

Contact the Oakland Tours Program hot line, 238-3234, to receive a copy of the brochure and a list of upcoming walks. A downloadable version is available on the city website, www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours.

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