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Background
 Alameda
Point is a major mixed-use project based on redevelopment of the
Alameda Naval Air Station. SunCal Companies
has been selected as the master developer for the project, which is set
within a redevelopment zone administered
by the Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority (ARRA). The ARRA
was established by a Joint Powers Agreement signed by the City and
County of Alameda in 1994. Members of the Alameda City Council sit
and act as the ARRA.
The Plan
Suncal Companies presented the
Alameda Point Draft Redevelopment Master Plan
to the ARRA at a public information meeting on
January 7, 2009.
Key elements and design principles in the plan include:
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recognition of unique site constraints,
including contamination, sea-level status and other geotechnical
considerations, transportation limitations; historical preservation
issues, and public trust
requirements;
-
walkable neighborhoods with traffic-calming
strategies;
-
a transportation focus;
-
water-oriented development;
-
open space;
-
historic preservation;
-
approximately 4,000 housing units, density arranged in a hierarchy, with
overall density similar to that of existing Alameda;
-
diverse neighborhoods with affordable housing
distributed throughout the project;
-
sustainable design.
Location
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Special Considerations
Public Trust Constraints. The site
includes regions that are subject to the
Public Trust and under the California Constitution can used only for
select trust-approved purposes. The developer's planning
milestones suggest an intention to make non-approved use of some of
these lands, which would only be possible if the trust restrictions are
removed from these areas through a land exchange.
Alameda Measure A. As presented to the
ARRA, the Draft Master Plan is inconsistent with the provisions of 1973
Alameda Charter Amendment, Measure A, which prohibits construction of
housing other than single family or duplex homes. The developer
has declared an intention to address this issue by presenting Measure B to the voters of Alameda for approval in
February 2, 2010.
Measure B includes the project's land use plan
and would exempt the Alameda Point project lands from the provisions of
Measure A. The project is not expected to proceed unless it
passes, since higher-density housing is part of the project design. This
is a high-profile matter that has attracted intense reactions from
concerned folks on all sides of the issue. Alameda Magazine
presented an overview in its July 2008 article:
The Measure A Debate: A Considered Approach to Development.
The San Francisco Chronicle highlighted the issue on April 6, 2009:
Alameda Point issue likely to head to ballot and followed on
January 30, 2010 with
Fighting fierce over Alameda Point development.
Outcome: On February 2, 2010, Measure B failed by a
wide margin, leaving the future of the project in doubt. Suncal's
exclusive negotiating agreement with the City of Alameda expires in July
2010. The San Francisco Chronicle reported the outcome in its
February 3, 2010 article:
Voters rejecting Alameda development project.
Cost Neutrality. The ARRA has adopted
the position that the project will not introduce costs to the City of
Alameda or its citizens. The project is within a redevelopment
zone, and the City plans to use redevelopment
tax increment financing to provide its contribution to the project.
At the January 7, 2009 meeting, ARRA staff indicated their plan to
provide approximately $180 million in tax increment financing to be used
for infrastructure development and affordable housing at the project.
Planning Status
Selected steps in the planning and approvals process are listed below:
Alameda Point in the News
 Alameda
set to end ties with SunCal developer
July 20, 2010, San Francisco Chronicle
Voters
rejecting Alameda development project
February 3, 2010,San Francisco Chronicle
Fighting
fierce over Alameda Point development
January 29, 2010,San Francisco Chronicle
Alameda
Point issue likely to head to ballot
April 6, 2009,San Francisco Chronicle
The
Measure A Debate: A Considered Approach to Development
July, 2008, Alameda Magazine
Alameda
naval base redevelopment hits snags April 14, 2008, San Francisco Chronicle
June 19, 2007, Oakland
Tribune
January 14, 2007, Oakland
Tribune
December 7, 2006, Oakland
Tribune
April 10, 2006, Oakland
Tribune
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