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Residents press OCII on Western Addition and Fillmore issues, demand meetings and transparency
Summary
Multiple residents told OCII commissioners that long-running problems in the Western Addition/Fillmore (tenant impacts, locked community spaces, garage operations and alleged developer misconduct) remain unresolved and requested immediate on-site meetings and a public workshop in the neighborhood.
During public comment at the April 21 OCII meeting, residents from the Western Addition and Fillmore raised a series of complaints and requests, urging the agency to hold community meetings, to resolve locked-access disputes at a community center, and to provide clearer information about community benefit agreements and local obligations.
Speakers and key demands
- Ace Washington (community advocate) urged OCII to open community-center doors, meet with developer Michael Johnson in the neighborhood, and provide transparent accounting of funds and obligations to the Western Addition. Washington said he would hold weekly open-mic meetings in the community until the agency responded.
- Francisco de Costa (self-identified Ohlone representative) warned about historic inequities and questioned the balance of affordable housing in large developments.
- Dr. Espinola Jackson called for removal of a label she said mischaracterized the Bayview and asked OCII to respect local history and community identity.
Commissioner and staff responses
Commissioners supported convening local meetings and asked staff to prepare further briefings on asset management and community benefit inventories. OCII staff acknowledged the public concerns and said they are working with city partners (including the Department of Finance where applicable) and would follow up on requests for site meetings and documentation. Commissioners asked legal staff to advise whether a closed-session briefing on litigation or contract defaults was appropriate in a future meeting.
Why it matters
Speakers described ongoing neighborhood-level impacts tied to asset management and developer performance. Commission discussion focused on balancing near-term remedies (on-site meetings, restoring access to community spaces) with longer-term disposition and oversight work tied to the agency's PMP and pending asset transfers.
