Following the Path of SunCal

Posted on September 25, 2013 by Irene

Alameda has a new housing developer, but something in the air seems SunCal-ish.

McKay Neptune with housingTim Lewis Communities, a developer based out of Roseville near Sacramento, wants to build houses near Crab Cove and is claiming to be on the community’s side.  Their commentary (Developer Hopes to Remedy Problems, 8/22/13), however, evokes memories of SunCal—the Alameda Point developer that was drummed out of town following a resounding defeat of their ballot measure because it didn’t have the city’s best interest at heart.

First comes the spin, then the lies, and next the court system to try and get their way.  The only difference is that in 2008 we voted to pass Measure WW, which called for parkland expansion near Crab Cove and the money to secure it. Continue reading →

Posted in Parks and Open Space | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Dispose of Properly — GSA Must Respect Our Community

Posted on September 5, 2013 by Irene

Surplus federal property Google Earth imageOutrageous!  The federal General Services Administration (GSA) was not only self-serving when it decided to auction surplus property near Crab Cove, it now plans to seize the state-owned street there for the benefit of a private housing developer.  This is the same agency that was investigated by Congress last year for wasting taxpayer money and escaping oversight.

GSA should practice discernment and respect the local and regional community and its desire for expanding Crown Beach. Continue reading →

Posted in Parks and Open Space | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Logic Points to Parkland

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Irene

proposed housing development site Crab Cove “That is not logical, Captain,” Mr. Spock would often say on the Star Trek television series.  Can’t the same be said for putting housing on bay-front property that the East Bay Regional Park District needs for expansion of state park facilities?

Granted, if the 48 new single-family homes proposed to be built next to Crab Cove are constructed, the new homeowners will enjoy their special waterfront houses and the developer will get a good return on his investment.  But please.  What does the region or the residents of Alameda get from this project that can’t be accomplished at nearby Alameda Point?  Once the opportunity for expanding this parkland is gone, it’s gone forever. Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Parks and Open Space, Quality of Life, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Mr. Russo, Tear Down That Fence!

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Irene

IMG_1048It’s time to unite east and west Alameda!

After two decades of environmental cleanup and planning, most of Alameda Point now belongs to the city.  On June 4, the Navy finally gave the city 1,400 acres—the first and largest of four land transfers.  Let’s remove some of the visual cues that say “abandoned military base.”

For starters, let’s forgo the typical ribbon-cutting ceremony.  Instead, let the dignitaries, Navy reps, staff, and residents jointly push over a section of the unwelcoming barrier.  After all, it’s the one part of the community reuse plan—“seamless integration”—we can implement on Day One.  It’s also a photo opportunity that would resonate in the region. Continue reading →

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The VA Says We Have a Say

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Irene

Aerial site map - VA project Alameda Point“This is your community, and we want to hear your comments!” a Department of Veterans Affairs representative told the audience at the recent public meeting about the VA’s clinic and columbarium project aboard the USS Hornet.  “We will be your neighbor, and we care about what you say.”

Uh?  For a few years now, our city leaders have been telling us we don’t have any say about what happens on the federal land at Alameda Point.  Recently, they ironically repeated this mantra while approving the VA’s “term sheet” and changing the city’s boundaries to accommodate the VA.

Come on.  Either we have a say, or we don’t. Continue reading →

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Nature’s Calling at Alameda Point

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Irene

Promising news!  Amidst the flurry of environmental review activity focused on developing Alameda Point, there’s a renewed effort for conserving wildlife habitat there.

IMG_6110Councilmembers Stewart Chen and Tony Daysog have co-sponsored a resolution affirming the City of Alameda’s support for the creation of a Nature Reserve at the Point.

The resolution highlights the history of plans for a wildlife refuge and calls for a conservation zoning designation on the 511-acre federal runway area adjacent to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) future outpatient clinic and columbarium. Continue reading →

Posted in Alameda Point, Environment, VA | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

City, VA Must Act Together on Point

Posted on February 16, 2013 by Irene

The clock is ticking.  March 1 is the deadline for the public to identify the environmental questions that should be answered and the alternatives that should be analyzed in the environmental impact report for Alameda Point.  I have a question.

Continue reading →

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Re-mapping Our Future

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Irene

The environmental review process for Alameda Point has begun.  Attached to the city’s notice of preparation, the proposed zoning map shows a couple of disturbing changes.  The city has redrawn boundaries and changed a land-use designation.

Continue reading →

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Money for Nothing

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Irene

getting overIs it just my circle of acquaintances or is it getting worse everywhere?  All this talk about the distressed unemployed middle class has me looking around.  It seems that more people, even highly educated ones, have figured out ways to live off the public dole rather than work.  They, like all who demean the value of work, do a disservice to us all.

The truly needy—those unable to work—often go underserved and underrepresented while the self-proclaimed entitled, but capable, class exploit government programs, capturing money for doing nothing. Continue reading →

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Timeline – Events leading up to the lawsuit between city, EBRPD

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Irene

GSA McKay Ave residentialThe legal dispute between the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) and the City of Alameda continues over a parcel of land adjacent to Crab Cove Visitors Center at Crown Memorial State Beach.  EBRPD claims the city failed to prepare an adequate environmental impact report, and violated its charter and general plan by adopting, without a vote of the people, both a housing element and municipal code amendments that conflict with the general plan and the city charter.  The city hotly denies the allegations.  Many in the community wonder how we got here.  Below is a timeline based on publicly available documents. Continue reading →

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