California Construction News staff writer
Construction is underway on the new Lincoln Square Recreation Center, in Oakland’s Chinatown, replacing the existing facility with a two-story, approximately 22,000-square-foot building designed to expand recreation services and provide emergency resources..
Designed by SHAH Kawasaki Architects, the project will include community gathering spaces, multipurpose classrooms, a gymnasium, offices and a rooftop garden. Improvements also will extend into Lincoln Square Park, with expanded tree canopy, renovated basketball courts and shaded courtyards.
The project will create Oakland’s first resilience hub, allowing the facility to serve as an emergency resource before, during and after disasters.
During normal operations, the center will host recreation programs, community events, community gatherings and emergency-preparedness activities. During emergencies, it can provide clean air during wildfires, air conditioning during heat waves, backup power, charging stations, medication refrigeration and access to emergency information.
“Today is an important day for Oakland, as we celebrate a vision that generations of Chinatown residents have championed,” Mayor Barbara Lee said. “The new Lincoln Recreation Center will be a place for our youth to learn, families to gather, older adults to stay active and neighbors to find support during times of need.”
The project is being developed in partnership with Friends of Lincoln Square Park and the Asian Pacific Environmental Network. The existing recreation center was built in the late 1970s and no longer meets demand for programs and services in the neighborhood.
Funding comes from a combination of local, state and federal sources, including Proposition 68, community resilience grants, Measure KK, Measure U, federal funding and community contributions.
The City of Oakland contracted with Shah Kawasaki Architects and Amoroso Construction to deliver the project. Construction is expected to be completed in summer 2028.
Park programming will continue at temporary locations in the neighborhood during construction.
“This groundbreaking represents years of planning, partnership and dedication from community members, City staff and funding partners,” said Liam Garland, director of Oakland Public Works. “We are proud to deliver a facility that will not only expand recreation opportunities but also strengthen Oakland’s ability to prepare for and respond to emergencies.”
For more information, visit the City of Oakland’s Lincoln Square Recreation Center project page.
