As a child growing up in Oakland, I remember countless occasions when people or corporations attempted to build or develop someone’s “great idea” in various parts of the city for various reasons — ideas and visions that made so much sense, that seemed like sure things and had everyone happily talking about them around the community. They often inspired a sense of hope and even happiness, especially when it was about our beloved sport franchises.
Then, out of nowhere each and every time, a mysterious enigma otherwise known as the Oakland City Council, would reduce an exciting, hopeful and inspiring project to ashes.