Deadline Extended

Should development plans for Alameda Point be decided exclusively by Alameda residents and politicians?

The former Naval Air Station Alameda has been renamed Alameda Point and SunCal has been selected by the City of Alameda to redevelop the property. There is a lot of debate within Alameda about how to develop this property, relating to land use, density and transportation.

Given that it is federal property, in theory belonging to all Americans, not just residents of Alameda, and it is a huge tract of land jutting out into the middle of San Francisco Bay, should its fate be decided exclusively by Alameda residents and politicians?

The former Naval Air Station Alameda has been renamed Alameda Point and SunCal has been selected by the City of Alameda to redevelop the property. There is a lot of debate within Alameda about how to develop this property, relating to land use, density and transportation.

Given that it is federal property, in theory belonging to all Americans, not just residents of Alameda, and it is a huge tract of land jutting out into the middle of San Francisco Bay, should its fate be decided exclusively by Alameda residents and politicians?

Some Context

The bulk of Alameda rests on an island of approximately 11 square miles, with five motor vehicle access points to Oakland: four bridges and a pair of underwater tubes. There are two ferry terminals, one at the west end of Alameda, and one at the southeast end, on Bay Farm Island. (Development at Alameda Point will generate traffic that needs to get on and off the island, most of it through Oakland. Should Oakland residents have a voice regarding the development of Alameda Point?)

In 2004, the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce sued the City of Alameda regarding traffic impacts on Chinatown resulting from Alameda Point development. The suit was settled by an agreement dated April 19, 2004, a copy of which is available from the City of Alameda. (The Chinatown Chamber of Commerce used the legal system to ensure their voice is heard in the Alameda Point development process.)

As of September 2007, proposed California Senate Bill 976 would consolidate Alameda and Vallejo ferry services under the authority of a new administrative body to provide better service and better coordinate emergency response to a disaster. (If outside agencies control our water transit, does that give them a voice in how Alameda Point is developed?)

In the early 1970s, Alameda was expanded along it's south shore by filling in Bay wetlands which drew the attention of people from all over the Bay area. (There is a history of people outside of Alameda voicing concerns about development within the city and impacts on the Bay.)

2008-09-15 22:00:00 -0700