Port of Oakland to Sell
Airport Business Park Parcel to Small Local Business
The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners has
announced approval of a sale of a 2.09 acre parcel at
Edgewater Drive and Pardee Lane in Oakland to RMT Landscape
Contractors, Inc. for $1,003,365.
“We are very pleased that we can complete this transaction,”
said Board President John Protopappas. “We believe that the
plans that RMT has fits with the other uses in the Park and
is a win for Oakland since RMT is relocating the business
here,” added Protopappas. “I believe that this sale will be
beneficial for all involved, including the citizens of the
Oakland area,” said Port Executive Director Tay Yoshitani.
The site posed some challenges since it is
adjacent to the Elmhurst Channel and the East Bay Regional
Park District trail. Any project for that site requires
permits from the San Francisco Bay Conservation and
Development Commission (BCDC) as well as a negotiation with
the East Bay Regional Park District. “Rick De Herrera, owner
of RMT has already met with both agencies and plans to
develop a landscaped plaza on the Elmhurst Channel side of
the parcel that will provide future public access and
parking for park users,” he added.
RMT plans to construct a 12,000 square
foot building. The two-story building will contain 6,000
square feet of office space with 6,000 square feet of
warehouse space.
“RMT is a company with extensive
experience in landscape construction, evidenced by their
need for additional space,” said Omar Benjamin, Port of
Oakland Director of Commercial Real Estate. “ We are
delighted to expand our business relationship with them.
They have successfully completed several of our major
landscape construction projects,” Benjamin added.
An Oakland native, Rick De Herrera, owner
of RMT Landscape Contractors, takes pride in being able to
support the city. Of this transaction, De Herrera says,
“Working with the Port of Oakland has been a positive
experience. I’ve done many projects with them and this
transaction is another confirmation of our quality business
dealings with the Port,” he added. RMT will be relocating
here with 70 employees, many of whom are Oakland residents.