Who uses Oxford Street?

Our Community Outreach

To better understand the corridor, the project team conducted a community outreach event in October 2023. The team received more than 100 written comments from Oxford Street visitors. The response from the public was very enthusiastic about potential efforts to redesign and enhance the streetscape.

Many comments highlighted issues with the corridor. Community members commented on:

the lack of trees, green spaces, or shade (20% of comments)
the need for additional or improved bike lanes (17% of comments)
the need for higher quality pedestrian amenities like wider sidewalks and improved crossings (11% of comments)
and much more.

Using feedback from the community outreach event and additional research, the project team created a framework of different population groups. This helps to focus on the needs of the people who use Oxford Street.

Note: this list is not comprehensive, and there are overlapping needs between groups.

Berkeley Residents

Needs

People across many age, race, ability, gender, sexuality, and income-level groups live on or near Oxford Street. Everyone should feel safe and welcome on the corridor, no matter their identity. Residents need a variety of transportation options that do not rely on car ownership.

Additionally, Oxford Street is on Ohlone land. We have an opportunity to redress the injustices that Indigenous groups face.

Opportunities

By improving walking, biking, and transit facilities on Oxford Street, residents of all age and abilities can comfortably move. Public gathering spaces can invite all residents to enjoy Oxford Street and connect with others.

As new development occurs around Berkeley, it is imperative to address historical legacies of the land, prevent displacement of current residents, and provide a supply of affordable housing to future residents.

UC Berkeley Faculty, Staff, and Students

Needs

UC Berkeley is a common destination and employment center with more than 55,000 students, faculty, and staff. This population needs reliable transit to access the rest of Berkeley and the Bay Area. Students, faculty, and staff need connections between campus and downtown that are intuitive, safe, and accessible. UC Berkeley affiliates also want spaces to study, conduct meetings, and gather informally.

Opportunities

The university is planning or building new student housing projects, laboratories, and office space along Oxford Street to accommodate projected growth. As a key route near campus, Oxford Street will need to support increasing travel demand.

Visitors and Tourists

Needs

Oxford Street lacks character, which makes the trip between campus and downtown unappealing. For any visitors arriving by BART, which is one block away from Oxford Street, it can be challenging to navigate to Berkeley's big destinations. The University of California sign at the campus' western entrance is not accessible and does not stand out as a major landmark.

Opportunities

Improving directional signage along Oxford would help newcomers to the area navigate the roadways and transit systems, and increase connectivity to the rest of the city. Exposing the University of California sign and developing the area through placemaking efforts could activate the space and allow visitors to experience a “Berkeley moment.”

Image Source: Google Earth

Berkeley High & Berkeley City College Students

Needs

Students from other schools visit campus to congregate, dine, and enjoy their free time. Oxford Street can welcome these students by providing spaces that can be used during lunch or after classes.

Opportunities

Shared open spaces can be a venue for all students to gather, study, and relax. Improving amenities at the Crescent Lawn and Center Street could encourage students to spend time on Oxford Street. Students may also benefit from cross-campus events or programming that could take place on or near Oxford Street.

Page updated

Report abuse