Oakland North recently published a story detailing the efforts and vision of The Center.

From the article: “We will be dramatically improving the meals that we’re serving to our students by eliminating 80 percent of the pre-packaged food,” said Jennifer LeBarre, the executive director of food services for the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). “It will also become an education destination for students from across the district, from everything from field trips to linked learning opportunities.”

Read the piece here!

At the December 2 OUSD Board of Education meeting, Lance Jackson, Interim Chief of Facilities, provided an update on the proposed design of The Center. The update was a follow-up to the Board's November 4 vote to approve The Center's CEQA environmental impact study, and the Superintendent's request to investigate the possibility of improving the facade aesthetics in response to feedback from community members. 

The design update pictured above reflects changes to the facade and project aesthetic, informed by input from the October 30 and November 19 Community Engagement Advisory Committee (CEAC) meetings. The proposed changes include:
• A softening of the exterior color and facade treatment
• Installation of mural art which can be periodically updated
• Installation of a large window at street level along 29th Street where the baker space will be located in the kitchen
• Placement of a living green wall (e.g., panels of the chayote vine grown vertically) on the 29th Street facade