The Bay Bridge connects Oakland to San Francisco, but when you ask which city is more of a tourist attraction. The unanimous answer will be San Francisco, and its completely understandable why people would say that. San Francisco has a lot more to offer tourist and it’s residents. That’s not to say Oakland has nothing to be proud about, Lake Merritt has to be my favorite place in the city.

There could be a future attraction, that if built could possibly join our beloved lake as another sight to see. Honestly the city needs something to help change the reputation its managed to obtain over the years.

According to an article published in The Oakland Tribune, which was wrote by Denis Cuff. There's a plan to develop a park near the eastside of the Bay Bridge.

Now I took offense to the article’s headline and lead. “Welcome to the other side: park planned by east side of Bay Bridge”. What does he mean by the other side?, and why is Oakland always treated like the stepchild to San Francisco when spoken about in the media

Mr. Cuff proceeds to be stereotypical in his attempt to portray Oakland. “Oakland: the other, less-scenic side of San Francisco Bay.” Now I don’t know where he lives or if he’s even been to Oakland. But “less-scenic” I really think that an incorrect portrayal of city that places like Lake Merritt, Joaquin Miller, the Oakland skyline etc.

But the point of this article is to shed light on the future project that Oakland, Caltrans, Bay Area Toll Authority and six others agencies is trying to bring to the city.

The proposed project bring a 25-50 acre park to the entrance of Oakland, when the east side of the bridge meets. Nine agencies are working on a $ 950,000 study to start planning for basic park features.

Expected to open in 2013 or 2014, there three proposed option for what exactly the park will feature. One proposed idea is to build a Ferris wheel, along with restaurants, a boardwalk and other attractions that would surely get people from both sides of the Gold Gate to visit the site.

The price tag for the actually park is $6.3 billion, but the risk could lead to big rewards for Oakland. Which is currently dealing with a $31 million deficit, and with Mayor Ron Dellums labeling Oakland as a “model city”. This could be a step in the right direction towards that model.

“Gateway Park” could be the savior that Oakland so desperately needs to change it’s image.