Dear Councilmember and Chairperson Zac Unger,
On behalf of the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, we write in strong support of the Lincoln Square Recreation Center project and urge the City to move forward with this long-overdue project without any further delay.
Lincoln Square Recreation Center is far more than a neighborhood park. It is one of the most heavily utilized and culturally significant public spaces in all of Oakland. For generations, the park has served as a central gathering place for Chinatown residents, seniors, youth, families, cultural organizations, and community programs. From daily exercise groups and youth recreation to festivals, performances, and community gatherings, Lincoln Square is woven into the everyday life and identity of Chinatown.
Equally important, Lincoln Square serves as a major driver of economic activity for the surrounding neighborhood. The park generates consistent daily foot traffic that directly supports nearby small businesses, restaurants, cafes, bakeries, retail shops, and service providers throughout Chinatown. Families attending programs, seniors participating in activities, and visitors coming for community events frequently shop, dine, and spend money within the district before and after visiting the park.
For many businesses, especially legacy immigrant-owned small businesses operating on narrow margins, this consistent activity is critical. Lincoln Square helps create the vibrancy and pedestrian activity that sustains Chinatown’s commercial corridor. It contributes to a safer, more active neighborhood environment and plays an important role in attracting both residents and visitors into the community.
As Oakland continues to face economic challenges, public safety concerns, and reduced foot traffic in many commercial districts, investments in community anchors like Lincoln Square become even more important. Public spaces that successfully bring people together also support surrounding commerce, strengthen neighborhood identity, and help stabilize local economies.
We support the project moving forward and recognize the importance of investing in public infrastructure that improves quality of life, accessibility, safety, and community wellness. Chinatown residents and Oakland families deserve modern, functional, and welcoming recreational facilities that reflect the importance of this community asset.
However, we must also express our deep disappointment regarding the continued delays surrounding this project. It is unacceptable that a project serving one of Oakland’s most utilized and economically impactful community spaces has been delayed for over a year. Communities like Chinatown should not have to continually wait while essential infrastructure improvements stall without clear urgency, accountability, or communication.
Oakland residents, especially working families, seniors, and youth who rely on Lincoln Square, deserve better. Chinatown has consistently contributed to Oakland’s cultural identity, economic activity, and tax base, yet too often our community experiences delays when it comes to long-promised investments and improvements.
We respectfully urge the Public Works And Transportation Committee to move forward with approving the contract and advancing this project without further delay. The community has waited long enough for improvements to a space that serves as both a critical community resource and an important economic anchor for Chinatown.
We also urge the City to provide transparent timelines, regular public updates, and clear accountability measures to ensure the project proceeds efficiently and responsibly. Oakland residents deserve confidence that essential community infrastructure projects will be delivered in a timely manner.
We appreciate the efforts of those advocating for this project and remain committed to supporting investments that strengthen Chinatown and Oakland as a whole.
Sincerely
Stephanie Tran
President, Board of Directors
Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce
