The city recently agreed, in the wake of Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposal to eliminate redevelopment agencies and cut down the state’s $25 billion deficit, to commit $40 million for Alameda Point upgrades.
It is commendable that the city is taking a leadership role to provide adequate affordable housing for Alameda Point, but the previous developer’s proposed plan had 928 affordable housing units and 157 adaptive re-use units. How much will $40 million get Alameda Point? Will it be equal or lesser than the previous plan?
The previous plan by Peter Calthorpe allocated 928 affordable housing units and 157 adaptive re-use units, and without a developer or a plan, when will any affordable housing be built? The families in need of housing can’t wait another seven years for a shovel ready plan to be put into effect. How long will it take to get more affordable housing in Alameda?
The previous plan was a big victory for affordable housing advocates, and they are seeing this victory disappear. Alameda Point, currently the home to hundreds of relocated veterans and affordable housing units, was the solution for affordable housing and once more it’s becoming part of the problem.
Affordable housing can mean multi-family dwellings, which, of course, will be in violation of Measure A. But if we’re trying to get the most bang for our buck and the most homes for our veterans and our low income families, “violating” Measure A is the solution. I’d say this is something for consideration by our city leaders.
Friday, February 18, 2011
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