Mayor Schaaf's Invitation to Participate in the Smart Oakland Project

Friends -

I am writing to invite your advice, thoughts and assistance to help Oakland develop a visionary proposal in response to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) recent “Smart City Challenge” notice of funding opportunity (https://www.transportation.gov/smartcity).

I feel strongly that Oakland is the best city in the nation to host a Smart City Demonstration, and I am excited to see what we could accomplish with $40 million dollars! I believe we are well positioned to compete successfully as we are fully aligned with USDOT’s goals of safety, mobility and climate protection, and we have so many great partners and building blocks to work with.

However, we have very little time as the application is due February 4! We need to quickly develop a shared vision and ambitious plan that arises from our core principles of equity, resilience, and vibrant sustainable infrastructure and is built on a solid foundation of our existing transportation and technology assets.

I’ve asked Matt Nichols, my Policy Director for Infrastructure and Transportation, and Michael Ford in our Public Works Department, to tap into the brilliance of our community in a creative, untraditional way. They will be “crowdsourcing” this grant application by hosting an open-source development process. This process is consistent with both the City’s commitment to being a responsive, trustworthy government and the USDOT’s priorities of connected and involved citizens, strategic partnerships and the shared economy.  

I invite you to contribute your ideas, comment, edit, or simply observe the proposal development. Matt and Michael will lead the proposal development, and will involve me and City staff as we finalize the proposal.  The final grant application will be the responsibility and property of the City, but I invite you to dream big for Oakland and participate in the Smart Oakland Project. Get started right now by clicking here or visiting www.smartoakland.net.

Please share this invitation with others who might be interested in joining Oakland’s inclusive effort. If you have questions or comments about this initiative, I invite you to reach out directly to Matt (mdnichols@oaklandnet.com) or Michael (mford@oaklandnet.com.)

With gratitude,

Libby Schaaf

Mayor