Opinion: Decline of Oakland's crown jewel Jack London Square due to poor management

"Jack London Square should be Oakland's crown jewel: a waterfront district where people come to walk, eat, gather and feel the city's energy. It has the views, the history, the ferry access and a setting most cities would envy. And yet it's slipping badly. Jack London Square is declining because it's being managed without urgency and allowed to drift into neglect. As the manager of Scott's Seafood Grill & Bar, I've watched it happen in slow motion."

"Instead, we've seen vacancies, churn and business closures and long stretches where the square feels half-open and overlooked. Today, the square's ground-floor space is more than 50% vacant. The dining scene that once made Jack London Square a draw has been hollowed out, one closure at a time. A dark storefront is a reason not to come. Fewer visitors mean the remaining businesses struggle. Then more closures follow. That is what happens when you put a destination on autopilot."

Jack London Square has strong assets — waterfront views, history, ferry access — but is experiencing significant decline driven by management inaction. Ground-floor spaces are more than 50% vacant, and the dining scene has been hollowed out by closures and churn. Vacant storefronts reduce visitation, causing remaining businesses to struggle and triggering further closures. The Port of Oakland and property manager CIM Group have avoided decisive choices about priorities, tenant recruitment, maintenance and activation. Revitalization requires leadership, targeted tenant recruitment, constant marketing, year-round events and well-maintained, welcoming public spaces similar to other successful waterfront districts.

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