Alameda Point Plan B

Well, here we go again. Alameda City Council is starting to pencil out a Plan B for redeveloping Alameda Point. It's a bit exhausting even to watch the council go through the same tired process, probably only to arrive at the same reality at the end of the day.

True to form, each Councilmember has a different opinion regarding future development plans. Marie Gilmore wants more public input, Lena Tam wants a secure source of financing, however, the most alarming position comes from Frank Matarrese.

Matarrese has actually created a proposal for the development of a nonprofit corporation that would head up the Alameda Point revitalization process and focus on job creation, not housing. It’s a bit early for a full-blown proposal just days after the vote…

Suncal also seems to think so. Pat Keliher, Suncal’s Alameda Group Manager, claimed that the City of Alameda was working on this Plan B while still being paid to do work for Suncal. The Island’s Michele Ellson reports that “the Interim City Manager Ann Marie Gallant gave a 2009 Chamber of Commerce breakfast where she reportedly said the city had a Plan B for developing Alameda Point.”

Councilmember Doug DeHaan reacted vehemently to the accusation stating, “I’m just appalled that someone says we’re doing secret plans in the back room. I don’t think that’s the case.”

Well Mr. DeHaan, if the deciding party (i.e. the City of Alameda) claimed they had a Plan B back in 2009, then immediately came out with a new redevelopment proposal after the vote in 2010 after kicking out the old developer, the cards would be stacked against you, don’t you think?

Let’s just see how effective this nonprofit corporation creation will be. Personally, I applaud Lena Tam’s business acumen by focusing on project financing upfront. The City of Alameda can’t afford to do this alone. It’s all pie in the sky until someone can foot the bill.