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| The
Oakland Task Force: An Overview |
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The
Oakland Task Force (OTF) was formed at the behest of Mayor Richard
Caliguiri in the early 1980s as a forum for the exchange of information
about Oakland projects and plans. This dialogue was initiated during
a period of unprecedented institutional expansion that threatened
the balance between institutional development and the quality of life
in Oakland. A two-year citizens' planning effort culminating in the
publication of The Oakland Plan in 1980 sparked the formation of the
task force. The Allegheny Conference on Community Development was
a primary stakeholder in the formation of the OTF and its representative
served as the first chairperson.
The most senior staff of the Oakland institutions and the City of
Pittsburgh, along with community representatives, made up the early
OTF membership, acting as a clearinghouse of information and an advocate
for Oakland projects. In the early days, the OTF functioned as a forum
to advance policy and projects in Oakland. In addition to the citizens'
organization, Oakland Directions, Inc. (ODI), the OTF discussed, reviewed,
and commented on development in Oakland. Public-approval entities
such as the Pittsburgh City Planning Commission and Pittsburgh City
Council requested the opinion of both ODI and OTF when acting on Oakland
projects or legislation.
Although the specific issues that sparked the formation of the OTF
are past, the importance of the forum continues. This is apparent
when considering that both senior and mid-level management continue
to gather on a monthly basis to openly discuss mutual concerns and
to share planning and facility-related information. The opinion of
the OTF, in addition to the Oakland Community Council and other community
groups, continues to be an important component of the public approval
process.
Today, with a broader representation of stakeholders, the OTF is engaged
not only in information sharing but also in advocacy on issues critical
to Oakland's future. The stakeholder makeup of the OTF is a great
achievement alone: community leaders, government agencies, and institutions
are collectively working to advance a shared agenda for Oakland. The
OTF has stepped back into the role of advocate and policy-maker given
the many Oakland planning initiatives recently completed or currently
underway.
Back to the Oakland Task Force page
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