PEOPLE & POLITICS
William Gilchrist Oakland's New Visionary
Oakland has selected William Gilchrist as its new planning and building director. The former New Orleans planner will head a 142-person department that reviews real estate projects and approves building permits in the city, which is undergoing a historic construction boom with over 3,000 new housing units.
Gilchrist views the City as intersecting a crossroads. He talked to the Business Times about his vision in addressing critical needs facing Oakland today and in the future.