Hilton to open airport hotel on Oakland's crime-ridden Hegenberger Road

OAKLAND – The Hilton hotel on Hegenberger Road next to Oakland Airport will officially close Wednesday, but employees said Sunday will be the last day of operation.

Some workers said it was also their last day at work. They hugged each other and said goodbye.

“We are all heartbroken right now, all heartbroken,” said Egigu Lemma. “I have spent more time here than in my house, so the emotional impact is very big.”

Lemma, better known as Gigi to his colleagues, worked at the Hilton for 35 years as a bellboy and guest service representative. Lemma said it was more than just a job. It was a big family with 152 employees.

“Yesterday we had a reunion here, all the old hands. We cried, hugged each other and wished everyone good luck,” said Lemma.

“Most of the employees have worked here for a long time. We have many memories associated with this place. It is our second home. We have spent a lot of time here,” says Tina Terefe, a supervisor who worked at Hilton for seven years.

“I knew 150 people and now we are being separated even though I was here for 20 years,” said Hilton employee Jude Correa.

Correa thought he would retire here before he was informed of the closure in June. Now he and many of his colleagues are looking for new jobs.

“Every time a door closes, a better opportunity awaits on the other side,” Correa said.

Hilton officials did not say why they are closing after 56 years of operation next to Oakland Airport. But workers believe it is the result of the COVID pandemic and ongoing crime in the area. Lemma said the loss of the Raiders and Warriors has also resulted in fewer sports fans staying at the hotel.

“Crime is high. Many of our customers' vehicles have been broken into. Hotel buses have been stolen, catalytic converters have been stolen,” said Lemma.

The hotel is located on a site of approximately 20 hectares. It is a large campus with several buildings, 15,000 square meters of event space and 360 rooms.

It joins a long list of businesses that have left the Hegenberger Road-98th Avenue commercial corridor, including Denny's, In-N-Out, Black Bear Diner, two Starbucks locations and a Subway restaurant.

“We feel the burden. I mean, (this business corridor is) my father's legacy. It took him decades of hard work to build this corridor in partnership with other leaders, the Port of Oakland and the businesses,” said Oakland City Councilwoman Treva Reid, who represents the region.

She said she had failed to persuade some of the other elected officials to vote for more funding to combat rampant crime in the region.

“I don't think we're failing, I think everything's falling apart. I think there's a lack of commitment to our district and a lack of support for us,” Reid said.

The Port of Oakland owns the Hilton property and will need some time to decide what to do with it.

“I'm worried about what's going to happen to this big campus. What kind of people are going to take over this property and does the city have a plan for that?” asked Jonelle Campbell, who has lived in Oakland her entire life.

Some neighbors fear that homeless people could break in and take over the buildings. As a longtime resident, Lemma also worried about the future of this property and his city.

“Bye, Hilton, bye. I won't see you again. I spent 35 years here,” Lemma said as he walked away. “Adios!”

And another major company will soon be leaving the area. The A's will play their last home game on the same street in late September.