Talk:Kofi Bonner

COI: Updates to Kofi Bonner for readability & clarification

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* Specific text to be added or removed (in bold & italics):

1. REVISE: A native of Ghana, Bonner earned a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Science and Technology in Ghana. He then earned a Master of City Planning and a Master of Architecture from the University of California at Berkeley in 1987.

* Reason for the change:

1. Bonner was not only born in Ghana, but identifies with Ghana as his country of origin prior to attending University of California Berkley. Clarifies that Bonner attended University of California Berkley to earn his degree and was not just a recipient of a degree.

* References supporting change:

1. https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Faces-of-Business-2007-Kofi-Bonner-Lennar-Corp-3298787.php
2. https://taubmancollege.umich.edu/event/fireside-chat-kofi-bonner-ceo-bedrock/

DetroitMichigan810 (talk) 19:09, 16 November 2023 (UTC)

COI: Update to Kofi Bonner for current employment

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* Specific text to be added or removed:

1. REMOVE: In this role, Bonner oversees all land acquisition and urban development activities for FivePoint in northern California, including The San Francisco Shipyard and Candlestick Point, Treasure Island, and the Concord Naval Weapons Station.
2. ADD: In this role, Bonner oversaw all land acquisition and urban development activities for FivePoint in northern California, including The San Francisco Shipyard and Candlestick Point, Treasure Island, and the Concord Naval Weapons Station. Currently, he serves as CEO of Bedrock in Detroit.

* Reason for the change: Updating for Bonner's current role.

* References supporting change: https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2020/08/26/bedrock-kofi-bonner-new-ceo/5633619002/ DetroitMichigan810 (talk) 19:14, 16 November 2023 (UTC)

COI: Updates to Kofi Bonner's employment history

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1. REMOVE: Bonner then worked for the housing development company then known as Fei Tsen and Associates in Oakland and served as a member of the San Francisco city planning group called "SPUR" (San Francisco Planning and Urban Research). In 1988, Bonner was hired to replace out-going Steve Kaplan as redevelopment director for the City of Emeryville. It was there that Bonner captured local and national attention with several economic development efforts.
2. ADD: Bonner began his career with Oakland Community Housing Inc. (OCHI) as an Affordable Housing Developer and later transitioned to a more senior role within the Bay Area. Bonner served as Redevelopment Director for the City of Emeryville. In this capacity, he played a crucial role in planning and developing the public financing and infrastructure and attracting key businesses that led to the successful transformation of Emeryville from an aging industrial city to a mixed-use mecca for technology companies and high end retail and housing. Bonner later held the positions of Deputy Executive Director of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency and Director of Community and Economic Development for the City of Oakland.

* Reason for the change:

1. Could not substantiate work at Fei Tsen and Associates and San Francisco Planning and Urban Research. The phrase "captured local and national attention with several economic development efforts" is vague and unclear.
2. Provided accurate career information with details of the role Bonner played for Emeryville. Provided sources for changes.

* References supporting change:

1. https://rebusinessonline.com/bedrock-hires-former-nfl-executive-kofi-bonner-as-ceo/
2. https://www.dbusiness.com/people/detroits-bedrock-names-ceo/
3. https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Faces-of-Business-2007-Kofi-Bonner-Lennar-Corp-3298787.php
4. https://www.forbes.com/sites/johncumbers/2020/01/03/will-concord-be-the-bay-areas-next-tech-hub/?sh=61ecf71e225f

DetroitMichigan810 (talk) 19:33, 16 November 2023 (UTC)

COI: Additional updates to Kofi Bonner's employment history

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* Specific text to be added or removed:

1. REMOVE: Oakland-based Kaiser Permanente was seeking land for a planned new headquarters facility in 1994. While the firm wished to remain in Oakland, finding land for Kaiser's plans proved politically and economically difficult. Observing these developments, Bonner courted Kaiser land development officials and eventually offered a 14-acre (57,000 m²) plot of land at 41st and San Pablo Avenue in Emeryville as the place where Kaiser could build its new home. Eventually Kaiser ended its plans, citing changes in the health care industry as the reason. The Kaiser affair drew much praise and attention to Bonner, who continued to negotiate with developers to sell land and attract retailers like IKEA. Bonner also successfully established a reuse plan for the former Emeryville Judson Steel plant, which is now the Bay Street Shopping Center. And while Kaiser backed away from its plans to build a northern California headquarters in Emeryville, Bonner and the Redevelopment Agency attracted Pixar Animation Studios, which constructed its new home on the same property that was originally slated for Kaiser. Bonner later held the positions of deputy executive director of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency and director of community and economic development for the City of Oakland. He was appointed interim city manager for the City of Oakland in 1995. He served as chief economic policy advisor during the term of Mayor Willie L. Brown.
2. ADD: After six years in urban development, he became the Interim City Manager for the City of Oakland where he led efforts to revitalize the city’s downtown neighborhood. During his term as Mayor, the Honorable Willie L. Brown appointed Bonner to serve as his Chief Economic Policy Advisor. Bonner oversaw major redevelopment projects and economic growth in San Francisco, including planning and implementing the redevelopment of the City’s Mission Bay neighborhood.

* Reason for the change:

1. Uncited & unclear information regarding Kaiser affair and Pixar.
2. Clarification on Bonner's roles with City of Oakland and Chief Economic Policy Advisor.

* References supporting change:

1. https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/oakland-picks-interim-city-manager-2854416.php
2. https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/S-F-Mayor-Woos-Away-Top-Oakland-Official-2825944.php

DetroitMichigan810 (talk) 19:42, 16 November 2023 (UTC)