Alameda Point Revitalization, SunCal Initiative (February 2010)
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The Alameda Point Revitalization Initiative will be on the February 10, 2010 ballot in Alameda County for voters in the City of Alameda.[1]
The Point Revitalization Initiative is an effort to repeal Measure A, an amendment to the Alameda City Charter that was approved in 1973. Measure A is often referred to as "the third rail" of Alameda politics. Unless Measure A is removed from the city charter, real estate development company SunCal will not be able to develop the 1,500-acre Alameda Naval Air Station. That project is known as the "Alameda Point" project, and developing it is SunCal's ultimate goal in repealing Measure A.[1]
A Sacramento Bee reporter has referred to the former air base, which was decommissioned in 1997, as "the blighted, toxics-laden base on the north end of the city."[1] In 1999, the former military base was declared a Superfund cleanup site.[2]
Development plans
SunCal wants to build:
- 4,346 new, mixed-density housing units.
- 3 million square feet of commercial and retail space.
- A 600 boat-slip marina and a new ferry terminal.
- 145 acres of sports, recreation and park uses.[1]
Supporters
The Revitalization Initiative is supported by:
- The West Alameda Business Association.[3]
- A SunCal-sponsored citizen's committee.[3]
- Doug Siden, Alameda's representative on the East Bay Regional Parks board.[4]
- Doug Biggs, executive director of the Alameda Point Collaborative. [4]
- Kathy Moehring, executive director of the West Alameda Business Association. [4]
- HOMES, an Alameda group. They say, "...it is essential to Alameda's future to create vibrant mixed use, pedestrian and transit-oriented neighborhoods, enjoyable public spaces and a housing/jobs balance in the city."[5]
Opponents
- "Protect Our Point" is opposed to the development. In the first six months of 2009, this group raised about $10,000.[1]
- The Alameda Chamber of Commerce has come out against the proposal.[3]
- Frank Matarrese, an Alameda city councilman.[4]
- Alameda Mayor Beverly Johnson.[4]
- The Alameda Architectural Preservation Society. They say, "It's very important for Alameda citizens to know that this Revitalization Initiative threatens significant Alameda historic resources with unnecessary destruction and alteration of facilities and homes at Alameda Point."[5]
Path to the ballot
SunCal's supporters turned in 9,618 signatures in September 2009. The requirement to get the measure on the ballot is 6,335 signatures, making it likely that the measure will qualify for the ballot once the signatures have been scrutinized for validity.[3]
As the public information battle over the initiative escalated, about 550 people who had originally signed the petition asked to have their names removed from it.[3]
External links
- Text of the proposed initiative
- Official website of the Revitalization Initiative
- U.S. Navy's report on its clean-up of the Alameda Air Base
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Sacramento Bee, "In low-key Alameda, a big fight brewing", August 18, 2009
- ↑ Alameda Point Today
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Mercury News, "SunCal turns in petitions for Alameda Point ballot measure", September 24, 2009
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Inside Bay Area, "Councilman opposes SunCal proposal for Alameda Point", October 29, 2009
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Alameda Sun, "Council Sets Initiative Date", November 5, 2009
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