Next Steps at Alameda Point

Although Alameda lost its bid to become the future site of the new Lawrence Berkeley Lab, city staff is wasting no time in moving forward with Alameda Point planning.

At a special joint meeting of the city council and the Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority (ARRA) on Feb. 7, staff will present concrete ideas on moving forward at Alameda Point.  It includes a zoning ordinance and general plan amendment aimed at clearly establishing the guidelines for future development.  According to the staff report, “Such clarity will reduce entitlement risk and delay in any future development efforts.  Clear policies will help Alameda avoid ‘starting from scratch’ with, or ceding too much control over the direction of future development to, a new private partner.”

The Buzz from City Hall

Anyone who’s watched televised meetings from city hall knows about the background buzz when the camera angle changes.  It sounds like a short circuit in the video wires.  “Councilmember bzzzzzzzzzz.”  “Whabzzzzzzzz is the bzzzzzzzz fiscal bzzpact of bzzzzzz.”

Once when this happened, my husband complained and I switched the channel only to hear Judge Judy say, “Get over it.”  Now we can indeed get over it because the buzzing is expected to be gone soon.  The city is in the process of overhauling all its video equipment.

Navy Jet Monument a Labor of Love

In June 2011, a crane accidentally dropped the Navy’s A-4 Skyhawk while putting it back on its pylon at Alameda Point’s “main gate.”  People have various theories about what went wrong, but everyone close to the project would rather focus on the plane’s re-restoration and return.

On December 19, the fighter aircraft, on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, was placed back in its original spot—a fitting celebration to conclude the 2011 Centennial of Naval Aviation.

Looking Forward, Looking Back

It’s been a little over a year since I started writing a column for the Alameda Sun and, Isle Say, it’s been a challenge.

I’ve written about all things local, including emergency preparedness, open space opportunities, Alameda Point, economic challenges, mental health, media, education, democracy, points of interest, and the city’s tree policy.  My piece on the Sea Scout Regatta at Alameda Point is still a big hit on my blog.

Firefighter Rescues Dog from Shorepoint Fire

Alameda firefighter Darren Brown walked through the crowd of onlookers asking if this was their dog.  When no one claimed it, residents escorted him to the apartment manager’s office.

Another resident standing next to me was not so fortunate, as his dog died from smoke inhalation.  

National Geographic – A Repeat Customer at Alameda Shipyard

If you’ve ever considered taking a National Geographic cruise to destinations between Alaska and the western tip of South America, your ship will have been serviced right here in Alameda.

Bay Ship and Yacht Company near the Alameda/Oakland ferry terminal performs annual maintenance, repairs, and upgrades to two of National Geographic’s five cruise ships.  The NG Sea Lion recently finished its annual repairs and inspections here.  Its sister ship, the NG Sea Bird, is here now.  To meet this year’s schedule, crews worked overtime during the six weeks the Sea Bird was in dry dock.  It was put back into the water on December 13 and will set sail for La Paz, Mexico and the Sea of Cortez on December 20, after Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping inspections and tests are completed.

Alameda Naval Air Museum Needs Help

It looks like a military antique store where nothing is for sale.  Unfortunately it’s a museum trying to tell us a story.  And quite a story it has to tell—from before the Navy arrived in Alameda to when they left, and the wars and military missions the Naval Air Station was a part of.  But after a decade and a half of all-volunteer efforts, a recent free open house attracted only a trickle of interested patrons.

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A change of strategy is necessary, and attracting corporate, philanthropic, or individual benefactors could help.  The addition of archiving, exhibition, technology, and grant writing skills could transform the museum into a must-see stop for visitors to Alameda Point.