Upper Broadway Advocates
News & Updates
Follow the latest on development projects, City decisions, and community action across Rockridge and the upper Broadway corridor. Subscribe via RSS.
Standing room only at the 6230 Claremont Avenue developer meeting
Neighbors filled the Rockridge Library for the developer's presentation on the proposed 6230 Claremont Avenue senior housing project.
Over 200 neighbors pack community meeting on two College Avenue proposals
More than 200 neighbors gathered at Claremont Middle School for a UBA/RNSH community meeting about two building proposals on College Avenue. Photo by Joe Johnston.
Vanderbilt to acquire CCA's San Francisco and Oakland campuses
On January 13, 2026, the California College of the Arts announced an agreement to sell its San Francisco and Oakland campuses to Vanderbilt University, leaving the future of the long-planned Oakland housing project less certain.
RCPC board fires the editors of The Rockridge News
UBA's Steering Committee voices concern after the Rockridge Community Planning Council board dismissed the two longtime editors of The Rockridge News without public notice or explanation.
Remembering Leslie Correll
With great sorrow, UBA's Steering Committee shares news of the passing of Leslie Correll, a longtime Lower Rockridge resident and one of our founding members.
Objective Design Standards approved by Oakland Planning Commission
Oakland's Planning Commission adopted new Objective Design Standards for single-family, "missing middle," and small multifamily housing — rules meant to speed up and standardize the review of housing projects.
College Avenue storefront updates — 5315, 5295 & 5303
A neighborhood roundup of changes at several College Avenue properties. Reporting by Joe Johnston.
Notice: application to subdivide Shops at the Ridge into three parcels
The City issued a public notice of an application to subdivide the Shops at the Ridge shopping center into three separate parcels.
Oakland City Council approves redevelopment of the CCA campus
On December 3, 2024, the Oakland City Council approved the redevelopment of the CCA campus, with a condition for approval set by Councilmember Dan Kalb.
City releases the Final Environmental Impact Report for the CCA campus
On September 20, 2024, the City of Oakland released the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the CCA Oakland Campus Redevelopment Project.
New proposal — 15-story housing and hotel at 5295 College Avenue
A new development is proposed for the combined lots at 5295 College Avenue — a 15-story project with market-rate and below-market units, a 100-room hotel, and retail and office space.
UBA responds to the CCA Draft Environmental Impact Report
UBA's volunteers analyzed the CCA Draft EIR and submitted a detailed response to the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board and the Oakland Planning Commission.
The future of The Ridge
UBA remains focused on the future of the vacant lot at The Ridge — the former Safeway site at Pleasant Valley and Broadway — where the community strongly prefers housing, especially affordable housing.
Home Depot pulls out of The Ridge after community opposition
Thanks to conscientious neighbors and a coalition of community groups, Home Depot withdrew from the proposed project at The Ridge Shopping Center. Over 4,400 people signed the petition.
CCA design guidelines: building heights creep up to nine stories
A revised design for the CCA site showed some improvements but increased building heights to nine stories and 95 feet. UBA and allies responded with detailed comments to the City's Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board.
UBA turns attention to The Ridge: site utilization survey and report
After the leaseholder floated an auto dealership, big-box store, or drive-thru restaurants for the long-vacant Ridge site, UBA surveyed neighbors — who resoundingly rejected all three and called for housing.
UBA leads three site tours for the CCA developers
In 2021, UBA led three tours of the CCA site and neighborhood for the developers and their design, architecture, and landscape teams — making the case for human-scale design rooted in Rockridge's traditions.
UBA welcomes new neighbors at Clifton Hall
CCA's former dorm, Clifton Hall, became a facility housing families in transition — and UBA raised funds from neighbors and local merchants to welcome the new residents.
