FRIENDS OF THE OAKLAND FOX

Friends of the Oakland Fox, Inc. advocates and supports the historic preservation of the Fox Oakland Theater and its use as a live entertainment venue.

Friends of the Oakland Fox began in 1998 as a subcommittee of the Oakland Heritage Alliance (OHA). OHA was concerned about the deteriorating state of the theater: there was a leaky roof causing damage to the interior of the theater, mushrooms growing on the carpet, and homeless people camped inside the building. OHA organized a media tour of the Fox and helped generate enough interest in the theater's plight that the City of Oakland replaced the roof and began focusing in earnest on strategies for developing the theater.

After meeting at the OHA office for over a year, committee members formed their own non-profit 501(c)3 Corporation, naming it 'Friends of the Oakland Fox.' Official Board members were selected, two of whom remain on the Board today, and the group began working with the City of Oakland and other concerned citizens and stakeholders to help save the Fox Oakland Theater. The many successes include participating in the development of an official Master Plan for the Fox Theater complex, helping the City of Oakland Redevelopment Agency obtain funds for restoring the marquee and sign blade, securing grant money for repair of the facade, and helping generate both approval and funding for the current restoration project.

Long Term Goals

  1. Have ongoing and meaningful participation in determining the redevelopment and reuse of the Fox Oakland Theater.
  2. Maintain a positive and productive partnership with the City of Oakland.
  3. Be actively involved in the urban design issues that impact the Fox Theater.
  4. Continue to support the historic preservation of the Fox Oakland Theater Building as a whole.
  5. Build FOOF's financial strength and administrative capacity.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Phil Tagami, President

Chris Edenborough, Executive Director

Salwa Ibrahim, Secretary

Laurie Cooperman Rosen, Treasurer

Steve Welkom, Officer

Donn Harris, Officer

Shannon Noe, Marketing Assistant