16mentions
2022first mention
2025last mention
under constructionfinal signal
Summary
The Jewish Community Center East Bay has officially begun construction on its Rockridge campus, bounded by Claremont, College, and Chabot. The ambitious project will bring together over 20 nonprofit organizations under one roof. Construction includes exterior demolition (removal of old staircase and remnants of the former Yoshi's building). Grand opening is anticipated for late March or April 2026, with preschool opening in August 2025. Total project cost is north of $100 million; over $20 million raised. 53 trees are being removed with 70+ new trees to be planted.
civic-institutionalsupportedhighunder-construction
Site group: Dreyer's / Nestle College Avenue site
5929 College Avenue, Oakland
Aliases
East Bay Jewish Community Center (JCC) / Dreyer's siteJCC East Bay (JCCEB) Rockridge campusJCC East Bay / Dreyer's campus (College Ave)JCC East Bay / Dreyer's site campusJCC East Bay campus (Dreyer's site)JCC/Dreyer's site redevelopmentJCC/Dreyer's site redevelopment (East Bay Jewish Community Center)Jewish Community Center East Bay (JCCEB) at Dreyer's/Nestle siteJewish Community Center East Bay at Dreyer's complex (5929 College Ave)
Timeline
2022_03Jewish Community Center East Bay at Dreyer's complex (5929 College Ave)
The Jewish Community Center of the East Bay (JCCEB) announced plans to expand activities into the former Dreyer's Ice Cream headquarters complex at 5929 College Avenue, a 2.98-acre site purchased by Libitzky Property Companies in late 2019. JCCEB is in early planning for future use including childcare, after-school programs, day camp, teen center, health/wellness, community garden, and nonprofit hub. Most existing buildings expected to be reused.
supportedproposedmedium
JCC East Bay / Dreyer's campus (College Ave)
The Jewish Community Center (JCC) East Bay announced plans to expand into the former Dreyer's campus on College Avenue, converting it into a Jewish community campus with office space for 20+ organizations, outdoor community spaces including a soccer field, a commercial kitchen, event/gymnasium space, and partially underground parking. The existing building at 6050 Claremont may be converted back to residential. Libitzky Property Company purchased the campus in 2019.
supportedproposedhigh
JCC East Bay / Dreyer's campus (College Ave)
The JCC/Dreyer's campus redevelopment is again referenced as one of several major 'opportunity sites' in Rockridge at varying stages of planning. The new RCPC chair indicates she is committed to convening project leaders and advocating for the whole community on this and other sites.
neutralproposedlow
JCC East Bay / Dreyer's campus (College Ave)
The JCC/Dreyer's campus redevelopment is referenced again by the new Land Use Committee chair as one of several major active development issues the committee will need to engage with.
neutralproposedlow
JCC East Bay campus (Dreyer's site)
The Jewish Community Center (JCC) East Bay has proposed a new community campus at the former Dreyer's site in Rockridge. RCPC is tracking the proposal and plans to invite JCC representatives to a town hall in the coming months.
neutralproposedlow
JCC East Bay campus (Dreyer's site)
The Jewish Community Center (JCC) East Bay published an article seeking neighborhood input on its proposed community campus in Rockridge. The JCC is working closely with RCPC and has posted an online survey. A joint Town Hall with RCPC is planned for late January 2023. Proposed uses include preschool, health and wellness center, co-working space, café, and arts programming.
supportedproposedlow
JCC East Bay campus (Dreyer's site)
The JCC East Bay continues community outreach for its planned Rockridge community campus, repeating the online survey and announcing a joint Town Hall with RCPC in late January 2023 open to all Rockridge residents.
supportedproposedlow
JCC East Bay / Dreyer's site campus
The Jewish Community Center East Bay is planning a community campus at the former Dreyer's/Nestlé site on College Avenue. A community survey was conducted and a February 7 Town Hall with RCPC is planned to share findings, updated plans, and traffic study results.
mixedin-reviewmedium
JCC East Bay / Dreyer's site campus
More than 50 community members attended the RCPC/JCC joint town hall on February 7. JCC presented updated plans and renderings (including a newly-planned rear entryway), shared community survey findings, and discussed traffic/parking mitigation with Fehr & Peers. Four organizations are already on campus alongside Dreyer's, which continues to lease the main building.
supportedin-reviewmedium
JCC/Dreyer's site redevelopment (East Bay Jewish Community Center)
The East Bay Jewish Community Center (JCC) is planning a community center at the former Dreyer's ice cream site on College Avenue, targeting an early 2025 construction kickoff (scheduled for December 2024). The plan includes a preschool and after-school programs for 220 students, up to 200 summer camp students, 100 daily visitors, and use of the former Yoshi's Club on Claremont Avenue as an events space. Chabot Improvement Partnership (ChIP) formed a task force with RCPC to collaborate on traffic, housing, and community impact concerns.
mixedproposedhigh
JCC/Dreyer's site redevelopment
The Jewish Community Center of the East Bay is planning to renovate and repurpose the former Dreyer's ice cream campus at College Avenue and Chabot Road. The JCC began occupying the site three years prior, will take full possession by end of 2024, and plans to start renovation construction in January 2025. A preliminary application for conditional use permits and CEQA review is pending at the Oakland Planning Department.
neutralin-reviewmedium
East Bay Jewish Community Center (JCC) / Dreyer's site
The East Bay JCC has been meeting with RCPC and neighboring residents for two years regarding plans to modify and occupy the former Dreyer's corporate building. The JCC will use the site for business/administrative offices for nonprofits, preschool, after-school and summer camp programs, and community/religious events. City Planning Commission review is expected in November 2024. The JCC and Oakland planning officials agreed to safety improvements at the College/Chabot intersection as part of the discussions.
supportedin-reviewmedium
Jewish Community Center East Bay (JCCEB) at Dreyer's/Nestle site
The JCCEB application for conditional use permits for community assembly and education uses at the former Dreyer's/Nestle site was on the November 6 Oakland Planning Commission agenda. Plans include a preschool, administrative offices, event space, demolition of stairway and breezeway, and new outdoor areas. RCPC was in general support but specific conditions still being determined.
mixedin-reviewhigh
Jewish Community Center East Bay (JCCEB) at Dreyer's/Nestle site
The Oakland Planning Commission voted 4-0 on November 6 to approve the JCCEB's application for community education and community assembly conditional use permits. Following the hearing, RCPC and Chabot Village representatives signed a Community Benefits Agreement on November 15 with the JCCEB that included limitations on events, noise, amplified sound, and a new Neighborhood Committee.
mixedapprovedmedium
Jewish Community Center East Bay (JCCEB) at Dreyer's/Nestle site
Full retrospective article on the JCCEB project history from 2021 through approval. The Community Benefits Agreement signed November 15, 2024 was detailed. The JCCEB anticipated demolition and construction beginning end of March 2025 with all site development work including outdoor landscaping to be completed by end of February 2026.
mixedapprovedmedium
JCC East Bay (JCCEB) Rockridge campus
The Jewish Community Center East Bay has officially begun construction on its Rockridge campus, bounded by Claremont, College, and Chabot. The ambitious project will bring together over 20 nonprofit organizations under one roof. Construction includes exterior demolition (removal of old staircase and remnants of the former Yoshi's building). Grand opening is anticipated for late March or April 2026, with preschool opening in August 2025. Total project cost is north of $100 million; over $20 million raised. 53 trees are being removed with 70+ new trees to be planted.
mixedunder-constructionhigh
Quotes
“We're looking at many years for this project to come together — what's there and what's being built will be dependent on zoning with the understanding that in two years certain things could also change.”2022_05 - JCC CEO Melissa Chapman in Q&A
“The recent announcement regarding the Jewish Community Center's (JCC) expansion into the Dreyer's campus on College Avenue has been met with absolute excitement here in Rockridge.”2022_05 - Editor's framing, front page
“We know that housing in the Bay Area is a significant issue, so that is something we're being very sensitive about in all of our considerations.”2022_05 - JCC CEO Melissa Chapman on housing impacts
“Community needs and requests were largely ignored by Dreyer's, and more recently, Safeway. Leaning on this experience, all parties have agreed that genuine collaboration is necessary for the project to be an enduring success.”2023_05 - Task force article by ChIP members
“The hope and intention of the task force is to continue to collaborate with the community and create a project that everyone can embrace, enjoy, and benefit from for years to come.”2023_05 - Task force article conclusion