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. Our business has experienced recessions, booms and everything in between. We stay because we believe in Oakland and because we believe the square should be a destination.
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…