Voters Reject Alameda Point Development Project

February 3, 2010
By Allison Landa, News Editor

Courtesy Flickr Creative Commons user Nathan Jongewaard

On Tuesday, voters in Alameda, Calif. soundly rejected a measure that would have provided for a major development on Alameda Point, a former Naval air station. Measure B would have cleared the path for development of up to 4,366 housing units, 186 existing low-cost housing units, the reuse of existing buildings for 309 housing units, 350,000 square feet of retail space and 3,182,000 square feet of commercial space, as well as amenities such as a ferry terminal, regional sports complex, and parks.

Also known as the Alameda Point Development Initiative, the measure was rejected 85 percent to 15 percent.

Before the election, Alameda city attorney Teresa Highsmith wrote in an impartial analysis that the development agreement would make the project exempt from some city fees and be effective for 25 years, as well as eligible for extension due to delays. Additionally, future city approvals would have been required for subdivision, building construction, use permits, and design.

“The Initiative could be amended by voters, or the City Council on application by a Developer, provided the amendments do not reduce public benefits required from a Developer or increase the amount of residential units or commercial space,” Highsmith wrote.

The city-selected developer, Irvine, Calif.-based SunCal Companies, will still be in negotiations with the city at least through mid-summer when its contract expires.

Protect the Point, a coalition of city groups and community members opposed to the measure, rejoiced on its website Wednesday. “We all want to give great thanks to everyone who worked on this campaign,” the site read. “This is a clear victory for the people of our city.”