Chinatown Complete Streets Plan

Project TypeTransportation
Start DateJanuary 16, 2023
Project StatusThe Plan is completed and project implementation is underway.
Completion DateJuly 14, 2025

Chinatown Complete Streets

Investing in the safety of the Chinatown community for residents and visitors alike.

Latest Updates

Project implementation is underway! Check out the project webpages to learn more.

Talk to us about our projects! The project team will be popping up at several events to collect feedback from Chinatown residents, workers, and visitors. You can find us at these events:

August 13 | 5-7:30pm at Lincoln Summer Nights
August 22 & 23 | 10am - 5pm at Oakland Chinatown StreetFest
August 28 | 9am - 2pm at Old Oakland Farmers Market
September 10 | 5-7:30pm at Lincoln Summer Nights
September 12 | 4-7:30pm at Oakland Chinatown Night Market
September 18 | 9am - 2pm at Old Oakland Farmers Market
October 8 | 5-7:30pm at Lincoln Summer Nights

The Plan

The Chinatown Complete Streets Plan proposes community-requested Complete Streets projects with a focus on safety on 8th Street, 9th Street, Webster Street, and Harrison Street in Oakland Chinatown. Proposed changes include widened sidewalks, new pedestrian scrambles, improved street lighting, and more.

Download the Chinatown Complete Streets Plan(PDF, 35MB) 下載華埠完整街道計劃(PDF, 34MB) Appendix(PDF, 20MB)

Background

Chinatown

Chinatown is a central neighborhood in Downtown Oakland bordered by Broadway, 14th Street, Fallon Street, and Interstate 880. It is a vibrant, bustling neighborhood that is a centerpiece of Oakland's cultural identity. Half of Chinatown Streets are on Oakland’s 2024 High Injury Network, which have the highest density of severe crashes. Unfortunately, Chinatown is also home to the highest concentration of pedestrian and bicycle collisions in the city.

Chinatown is also one of the most transit-dependent neighborhoods in Oakland. Compared to Oaklanders citywide, Chinatown residents in the project are more likely to walk, bike, or take public transit than drive a car. According to the 2019-2023 American Community Survey, nearly two in five Chinatown households do not have access to a vehicle, compared to a citywide average of 15%. Chinatown is a dense area with a high concentration of retail and commercial activity. One-way road patterns create wide, fast streets that are imposing for those walking or biking. Double parking and loading in the street are the norm, which creates issues with pedestrian visibility and conflicts with people biking.

What is a "Complete Street"?

The Chinatown Complete Streets Plan includes the goal to create safe streets for all Chinatown community members. Oakland’s City Council adopted a Complete Streets Policy in 2013 (City Council Resolution No. 84204). Complete Streets are designed and operated so that people of all ages and abilities can travel safely, regardless of the mode of transportation they are using. In particular, the Plan recognizes and responds to the vulnerability of families, people with disabilities, seniors, and transit users in Chinatown.

The Chinatown Complete Streets Plan was written in partnership with the Chinatown community, who identified three main goals. OakDOT commits to work towards these community-driven goals in the CCSP.

Create safe, accessible, and vibrant streets for all users.
Support local businesses, events, and everyday activities.
Prioritize families, disability accessibility, the elderly, transit users, and patrons.

Engagement

OakDOT worked with East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) to engage residents and stakeholders for the Chinatown Complete Streets Plan. EBALDC developed an engagement plan honoring past planning processes to minimize engagement fatigue in Chinatown.

Engagement efforts for the Plan reached 660 community members, 8 different community organizations, 61 Chinatown merchants, and 307 survey-takers over more than two years. Types of engagement included:

Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
2 Public Surveys
Public Sitewalk
Presenting at Community Meetings
Tabling at Community Events
Tactical Urbanism Demonstration
Hands on Visions Activities
Focus Groups
Door-to-door Business Canvassing
Open House
Social Media and Newsletter Campaign

Key Corridors

Through community engagement, communities in Chinatown identified specific needs for improved safety and accessibility that are reflected in conceptual designs for four streets. The following corridors were identified as a priority for the plan:

8th Street (MLK Jr. Way to Fallon Street) - currently under design!
9th Street (MLK Jr. Way to Fallon Street) - currently under design!
Harrison Street (6th Street to 14th Street)
Webster Street (6th Street to 14th Street)

As of Summer 2026, both 8th Street and 9th Street are advancing designs. The project team is conducting additional engagement to refine the designs. The team is also seeking grant funding to construct both projects. Learn more about these two projects!

Note: 8th Street was not included in the final Chinatown Complete Streets Plan because the funding for design was already secured separately. However, 8th Street was identifed as a priority during engagement for the Chinatown Complete Streets Plan.

Updated: August 11, 2026

Posted: February 1, 2023