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10/31/2001: CONSTRUCTION DELAYS HAMPER
REPAIR OF UPPER MERRIEWOOD STAIRS

(I received the following email response to my inquiry
today about the apparent stall in construction:)

"Kirk, Because of the hazardous conditions involved in the pier-drilling we have decided to contract this portion out to a private firm. we will have a contract within a few weeks, however it is also affected by weather conditions which my slow the entire process, once the holes are drilled it will not take long to finish the entire job. The upper section that you mentioned is completely finished, the plan however is to open the entire Merriewood stairways all at once when it is all finished. We are keeping a close eye on runoff problems at the plastic covered sections but we do have to keep these sections covered to prevent runoff damage to the construction area.I had mentioned to you in the past that we would try to finish the project by late fall 2001, however because of several problems we encountered during construction we are probably looking to finish in early spring 2002.The main objective is to deliver a quality product that will be appriciated by all those in the area that will be using the stairs in the future.I look forward to talk to you soon."

Berry Weiland - Assistant Director Public Works

6/11/01: Construction on the upper Merriewood stairs is
scheduled to begin mid-August 2001. Demolition of
existing stairs will begin soon. Engineering plans
made available.

6/19/01: Montclarion Article

One-click email addressing! Click here to broadcast your message to multiple local government officials.

2/09/2001: Lower Merriewood Stairs Repaired!1/11/2001 Meeting Minutes and repair plans (from Public Works and Councilmember Spees' office)12/22/00 Lower Merriewood Stair repairs have begun! See pictures hereMerriewood neighborhood map to help everyone communcate clearly about which stairs are which at the Jan. 11th meeting.12/8 Montclarion Article: "Council looks at Top 10 list for stair repair"12/5: Councilmembers are to ask the public for input on stairs in each district. Dick Spees meeting scheduled for 7:00pm Thursday January 11th, 2001 at Thornhill Elementary School for discussion on Merriewood stairs.12/5 KTVU Channel 2 report by Bob McKenzie (6.1 mb, requires free QuickTime Player) 12/5/2000 City Council meeting report here.The Public Works Agency's "Top 10 Stairs" report.

Friday March, 30th, 2001 Meeting Report (by Jim Dexter)

Thornhill/Marden Lane/lower Merriewood stairs have been cleaned by Public Works Department! 11/9/2000! Before/After pictures here. See email from Public Works

Public Works 52 Stairs cost estimate reportOakland Public Works Department promises complete repair of both Merriewood stairs by late summer 2001!

Lower Merriewood stairs to be repaired by Christmas, 2000, according to the Oakland Public Works Agency (Claudette Ford, Berry Weiland, and Dwight Chambers).

11/28 Oakland Tribune Article

October 31st Public Works Engineer's Estimates Now Available!

The Stairs get coverage in the Oakland Tribune (11/8) and Montclarion (11/14)

Positive outcome from Public Works Committee meeting 10/31. Meeting Summary

The 10/31/00 Public Works Report

10/10/00 Newsflash! (email replies from Claudette Ford)

9/15/2000 Montclarion Article

Oakland Public Works organizational chart

Please call, write, fax or email your comments to the folks listed below (see sample letters for inspiration). The stairs are the responsibility of the Public Works Agency, maintenance division, under the direction of Claudette Ford.