A boisterous crowd cheered in Gilmore, Bonta, Tam and Johnson at Tuesday night’s Alameda City Council meeting. This exciting new chapter also marked the end of another chapter: City Attorney Teresa Highsmith’s tenure as City Attorney. However, John Knox white made an astute observation. Highsmith is transitioning, some might say too quickly, to the City Attorney of Barstow. But surprise, surprise, guess who handles the City of Barstow’s legal issues? Colontuono and Levin, the same firm City Manager Gallant hired to prosecute Lena Tam. Good riddance to closed door meetings and back room deals.
It is refreshing to see Gilmore, Bonta, Tam, Johnson start the year off fresh. There seems to be quite a lot of momentum behind these Alameda city councilmembers, which is a great sign. Doug deHaan continues his term and, in a SF Gate interview, recently addressed Alameda Point redevelopment, which will be the big test for the new council. Interestingly enough he admitted that housing is needed to generate revenue for the city of restore Alameda Point. Thank goodness. Let’s just be out with it and explain to the public WHY this is necessary. Time and time again Alameda has tried to push for parks, open space and commercial space only. Let’s integrate the residential development and create a sustainable, walkable community which can fund its own parks and open space.
The current solution is an “aggressive asset management policy for the leases at the Alameda Point to increase revenue.” Again, we are shooting ourselves in the foot with this strategy. Selling off small pieces for short term leases erodes master planning, sustainable development and transit oriented development opportunities.
Alameda Point needs a big picture, master planned solution, not a short term band aid like “aggressive” short term leases.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
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