REZONED SIDEBAR

by Rosemary Hoban

In the past year, a number of non-profits and arts groups have been priced out of their offices in downtown. Some have found alternative spaces in downtown. Many have had to pay higher prices, move into smaller spaces, or leave downtown altogether.

A short list of evacuees:
--Jobs Consortium – provides jobs training and placement to homeless people. Moved into smaller space downtown.
--United Indian Nations – provides job training and transitional housing services for urban dwelling Indians. Halved their office space, due to skyrocketing rent, and cut back on programs as a result.
--Oakland East Bay Symphony – administrative offices. Moved in December, from Lakeside to 29th Street, while the current building is taken over by a dot-com willing to pay higher rent.
--Legal Assistance for Seniors – vacated digs on Grand Avenue in December.
--Protection and Advocacy – also provides legal advice to seniors. Moved from downtown to a new site near Oakland Airport.
--Center for Independent Living (Oakland office)– provides training, housing and legal assistance for people with disabilities. Vacated offices in December and will be scattered until the end of February, when new, smaller uptown offices will be ready.
--East Bay Church of Religious Science – with the rent raised twice, needs to leave its offices on 14th Street.

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