Photo courtesy of: Greg Land

OUSD unveils new administrative building

June 3, 2025

Project Spotlight

Oakland Unified School District unveils Cole Administration Building


Oakland, Calif. — Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) has officially opened its new Central Administrative Center at the historic Cole Campus, marking a significant milestone in the district’s efforts to modernize and centralize its administrative operations.

Located at 1011 Union Street in West Oakland, the two-story, 56,176-square-foot facility brings together OUSD’s central office staff and its Adult and Career Education programs under one roof. The project, which began in early 2019, reached substantial completion in the second quarter of 2025. The $62 million-endeavor was funded through Measures J and Y, reflecting the community’s investment in the district’s infrastructure.

The new building replaces several outdated structures, including a one- and two-story building and a portable structure, all of which were demolished to make way for the modern facility. The redevelopment also includes comprehensive site improvements such as landscaping, safety fencing, redesigned parking lots and driveways, and the addition of a basketball court on a 2.6-acre site. The facility features individual and shared office spaces, and collaboration rooms.

The construction of the administrative center was a team effort by Brailsford & Dunlavey, Shah Kawasaki Architects, Arntz Builders, Cumming Group and Cordoba Construction. For more information about the project, visit OUSD’s project page.

"The leadership and information from B&D, and the clarity with which they provide it, brings added credibility to the process and ensures that a range of university stakeholders, including senior leadership and our board, are fully informed for – and confident in – their required decision making.”

B.J. Crain, Former Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration
Texas Woman’s University

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