Allen Rivera Villalobos

The 16th Street Station in West Oakland was a beacon of safety and entertainment and was alive with the promise of new beginnings. But now, those memories have faded, and the station has been largely forgotten, its grandeur reduced to a shadow of its vibrant past. This station holds deep historical significance. During the Great Migration, it served as a major entry point for Black migrants escaping the oppressive Jim Crow South in search of better opportunities. It was a place of hope, a stepping stone to a new life. Yet today, it stands in need of restoration—not just to honor its past but to reimagine its role in the present. Our project seeks to bring about a rebirth of the 16th Street Station, transforming it into a community hub and wellness center that reflects the spirit of those it once serve. At its heart will be a focus on health and well-being, particularly for Black women, who face disproportionately high mortality rates during childbirth. The center will house birthing facilities designed to provide a natural, supportive, and empowering environment, especially for high-risk pregnancies as well as public healing gardens, wellness classes, an event space, a café, and a museum to create spaces for connection, learning, and rejuvenation. This vision not only honors the station’s historic legacy but also ensures its future as a vital part of the West Oakland community—a place where new beginnings continue to unfold.

Faculty Sameena Sitabkhan