Alameda for Free Ice Cream on Alameda Point

As a pro-business advocate, I can’t help but roll my eyes at some of Alameda’s recent suggestions for the redevelopment of Alameda Point. Citing San Francisco’s Presidio as the prototype for a future Alameda Point, one resident says he’d much rather have several hundred acres of bayside park. Yea, it’d be nice to have free ice cream on Alameda Point too. But that’s not going to happen. (Either way, didn’t the SunCal plan call for 150 acres of parks/open space?)


Here’s how I see it:

There’s an old naval base on Alameda Point. It’s a financial drain on the city. A plan has been developed that the community apparently agrees with (according to the San Francisco Chronicle). It cleans up the bay and brings some jobs. So the City brought in a developer that can carry out the plan.

This is obviously over simplified, but I’m trying to say that, at this point, some Alameda residents seem to be raising issues just to raise issues. The City is in a great place to negotiate, which they should take advantage of, but they should also know a good deal when they see one, which this plan is. (Cue angry Action Alameda comments here)

For me, the demands of residents raise two main concerns:

1. A Measure A compliant plan is not feasible. Four developers have tried, four developers have failed. The proof is in the pudding.

2. Have the City develop Alameda Point. As of now, the City seems to believe they can handle the redevelopment of Alameda Point on their own. However, in July 2007 they hired a master developer citing that the City lacked the skills and equity to develop a project of this size. Why is the City suddenly capable of doing so themselves?

I’m sure Alameda will go back on forth on the issue at least 20 more times. Join me in holding our City officials accountable to make prudent business decisions for our City, led by the City’s best interest, and not politics.