Will SunCal Do What They Say?

At the 3.16 City Council meeting, SunCal claimed they would adhere to City deadlines and submit a Measure A compliant development agreement today. Well, the clock is ticking and we are waiting.


What’s more, they alleged that they would deliver an Executive Summary that City Councilors could distribute to the media and the community that would explain, in layman terms, what the plan really entails. Tick, tock, tick, tock…

I am also waiting to see how SunCal will deliver on its promise of greater transparency with the community. In the infamous words of Frank Faye on 3.16, “we’re going to surprise you.” Well, any level of corporate transparency would surprise me. I hope they do so, and let’s all hope that the City of Alameda takes their “surprising” lead.

2:30AM Alameda Council Meeting Brings Out True Colors

Tuesday’s marathon of a City Council meeting ran past 2:30AM and into St. Patrick’s Day. However, I finally got some insight into Alameda City Council and Staff dynamics after sheer exhaustion wore down their usual fronts. Add the catalyst of SunCal into the meeting and the gloves really came off.


Interim City Manager Anne Marie Gallant and City Attorney Teresa Highsmith are clearly in cahoots, and attempted many times to deflect attempts for greater transparency in their departments. Lena Tam called for transparency among the Council, City Staff and SunCal, and asked if there was a way for the Council to be involved earlier. Gallant’s response was rude and curt, citing that the City procedure dictates the process – clearly trying to keep her door closed. Her partner in crime, Teresea Highsmith made a rude comment earlier on to Tam, trying to shut her up. Surprisingly, SunCal’s COO Frank Faye came in with a transparency suggestion of a Council subcommittee to attend staff meetings, therefore opening things up and allowing the Council to participate in the process. Other promises for transparency included an Executive Summary by SunCal immediately released to the public by the City.

SunCal reps got quite a hand slap, and even after their apologetic response it came as quite a surprise to me to hear Vice Mayor DeHaan say they were not humble enough in their presentation. Huh. It seems as if the Council, DeHaan specifically, is skipping out of meetings with SunCal and making excuses – Faye cites “I’m happy to see you are able to meet, you seem much healthier than we were led to believe.”

One win for open government: a Council subcommittee will hopefully be established to attend meetings with all interested Alameda Point development parties.

Now let’s see how well ICM Gallant delivers on her promise to summarize Alameda Point redevelopment meetings in her future “City Manager Communications.” I’m somehow doubting we'll get the unabridged version...

Have the Courage to Support Alameda Point

Zennie62, a SFGate blogger, hit the Alameda Point nail on the head. Everyone, especially our esteemed government officials, is so scared to stand up and support something, that they've began to oppose everything. I couldn't say it better than Zennie:

It is too easy to oppose something in the Bay Area. The hard job is to support something that makes things better. Looks like the Mayor of Alameda has joined the cause—let’s hope sensible people will study the plan and make that same logical choice. It is far better to support something that will clean up the toxic lands, create jobs, bring open space and sports fields to the City, create affordable housing and build better transit connections in the region than it is to hold out for something that can never be achieved.

Zennie62's blog link:  http://zennie2005.blogspot.com/


Alameda Point is no different than some of the other (dare I say it... successful) developments surrounding the area: Bayport, Hunters Point, Treasure Island. However, everyone is so terrified to support something, and so quick to oppose that the wheels have stopped turning.

My concern is the Alameda government's role in all this. When will they stop issuing bogus notice of defaults, or whatever the next lawsuit is, and focus on what will work for the City? And the City Manager, Anne Marie Gallant, seems to be leading the charge. It's so frustrating to step back and see a plan that will so clearly benefit the community, only to look over and see our representation running around like a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off.

I urge Alameda officials (and citizens) to stand up, and have the courage to support something.

A Rough Courting Period

I will say this for SunCal, they really are a persistent suitor in a rough courting period. Even though they’ve been dealt blow after blow from a city that seems determined to keep 1/3 of the island in limbo, they come back with this statement picked up from today’s Orange County Business Journal:

“We will not abandon this plan and this city.”

They’ve invested quite a chunk of change in this development and it’s good to see they’re showing dedication. Make no mistake, they’re dedicated to a profitable end project, but what business isn’t? At least we know where they stand. I can’t say that much for the Mayor or the City Council.

Let’s call a spade a spade and a developer a developer. They’re in this to develop the land and make a profit in the process. Why is this a surprise to people? The City knows this full well, so they should get to the table and make their demands. If I was at that table, here’s what I’d be ranting and raving for:

• A school.
• What was their line again? Make the developer pay? Well, make ‘em pay for a school.
• No amenities cap.
• 200 million in amenities is quite a promise, but apparently not enough to cover the deliverables in the plan. So, remove the cap.
• Affordable housing.
• These words strike fear in heart of all East Bay residents, but the sad truth is we need it. Only single family units aren’t workable on Alameda Point. Let’s not be so scared of a few condos and apartment buildings.
• TRANSPARENCY.
• Yes, I used caps lock on purpose. Let’s make SunCal release all documents to the public. And the City. And the Navy.

What do you think?