The report, “2009 California Climate Adaptation Strategy,” makes recommendations for coastal areas like Alameda Point, which will be home to Alameda’s newest mixed-use neighborhood if voters approve Alameda Point Revitalization Initiative.

Planning for sea-level rise is a critical element of the Revitalization Initiative, which was crafted during two-plus years of extensive study and public input. The Revitalization Initiative’s sea-level strategies dovetail neatly with the state’s recommendations. For example, in areas that can be safely shielded from sea-level rise, like Alameda Point, the report emphasizes the need to protect new developments “that have regionally significant economic, cultural, or social value,” which describes perfectly the proposed revitalization plan for Alameda Point.

The Revitalization Initiative will easily accommodate this recommendation by using a comprehensive grading strategy that elevates the project in order to protect the Point from sea level rise.

And, while the City of Alameda has estimated a rise of 18 inches over 50 years, our plan includes a contingency to build a protective levee system should sea levels rise beyond current expectations – making Alameda Point one of the most sheltered neighborhoods in the entire Bay Area.

The value of the revitalization plan is demonstrated in the project description itself – a mixed-use, pedestrian friendly, transit-oriented community with many new features. The plan also renovates historically important buildings, and will, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, clean up the toxins from years of military and industrial use. The Revitalization Initiative also supports thousands of new jobs and will generate a positive cash-flow for the City of Alameda’s general fund.

At no point will taxpayers who live outside of Alameda Point’s new neighborhoods be required to pay for any part of this plan, including the strategy for dealing with sea-level rise. Because California law requires all new projects to be “fiscally neutral,” the plan for Alameda Point will be built and maintained using private investment dollars and the taxes and fees generated by the new homes and businesses that will call Alameda Point home.

The rest of Alameda was not planned with a view towards global warming as it was developed. Now, the rest of the community has the opportunity to take advantage of the protections that Alameda Point provides. We know that the more people learn about this plan to clean up, revitalize and re-use the old navy base, the more they will support it.

Alameda, Calif. – The Alameda City Council voted unanimously at its Tuesday meeting to start the important environmental study of the plan to revitalize and re-use Alameda Point, the former Navy base on the western edge of the city.

Although not required by California law for an initiative to be placed on the ballot, SunCal has agreed to fund an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in order to assure that the environmental impacts of the whole of the project will be addressed prior to construction. 

This EIR will be an exhaustive study of all aspects of the project, will provide an in-depth analysis of the potential environmental impacts and will identify mitigation measures that the City can require the developer undertake to reduce or eliminate those impacts.

“By funding this study, we are once again declaring our long-term commitment to the City of Alameda, to building the best possible project at Alameda Point and to addressing the environmental impacts of the project,” said Pat Keliher, SunCal Companies’ Regional President. “The mixed-use, transit-oriented infill development plan for Alameda Point is designed to be environmentally sustainable. The EIR will demonstrate that blighted areas like Alameda Point can be redeveloped in a manner that enhances the community, achieves sustainability, manages traffic impacts and creates long term positive economic growth and opportunity for the City.”

The EIR is an independent analysis conducted by consultants selected by and reporting to the City of Alameda. SunCal Companies is paying for the $2 million EIR, but it is the City’s role to manage the process.

The EIR will study the Revitalization Initiative’s impacts on wildlife, air and water quality, traffic, climate change, geotechnical issues and the health of wildlife in the area, among other things.

In July of 2007, the City selected SunCal Companies to lead the effort to craft a plan that will benefit all of Alameda. The process to bring this plan forward began when the City and its team initiated a series of public workshops to collect input from citizens about what they think will work best for all Alameda. The result – after more than 20 workshops and public presentations – is a plan for a sustainable mixed-use community that won’t require funding from existing Alameda residents.

In March, SunCal initiated a signature-gathering drive to collect enough signatures from registered voters in order to place the Alameda Point Revitalization Initiative on the ballot. By June 19, more than enough signatures were collected – a total of 8,083 valid voter signatures.

Soon, the City Council will select an election date for the Revitalization Initiative and then voters will be able to decide for themselves whether it should be implemented at Alameda Pont. 

For more information about the plan and the team, visit www.AlamedaPointCommunity.com

Contact: Joe Aguirre
SunCal Companies
Office: (949) 777-4518

Oakland, Calif. (Oct. 19, 2009) – SunCal Companies has announced that it has obtained a judge’s approval for funding to address the critical cleanup and maintenance issues at the Oak Knoll property in Oakland:

“The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Santa Ana has authorized the use of over $500,000 to address some of the concerns about the Oak Knoll site that are of an immediate nature.  The judge concurred with the stipulation SunCal reached on September 16 with Lehman Brothers and Lehman’s bankruptcy trustee to release funds for property-wide weed abatement, cleaning up wood piles and repairing perimeter fences.  This money will also provide for a team of armed security guards to be on duty 24 hours per day to help secure the property from trespassers.”

“The resumption of property maintenance and security is an important matter we have consistently advocated with Lehman Brothers, the financial partner for SunCal Oak Knoll, LLC, the owner of the Oak Knoll property.  Lehman filed for bankruptcy in September 2008 and this affected the funding for Oak Knoll and other projects that the firm provided financing for.”

“We will continue our discussions with Lehman and the trustee about the outstanding issues at Oak Knoll and we are working to resolve these matters.  SunCal remains committed to the long-term potential and vision of the Oak Knoll master-planned community.”

SunCal’s efforts to obtain funding to address the critical needs at Oak Knoll have been ongoing throughout the current Lehman court proceedings and extend back to Lehman’s bankruptcy in September 2008.  SunCal initiated legal action against Lehman in January 2009; SunCal Companies itself is not in bankruptcy.

SunCal is continuing to work through the court to bring in a new source of funding to resolve the remaining issues at the 167-acre property and move the development forward.  The plans for the Oak Knoll community include 960 homes with a diversity of housing types, 82,000 square feet of commercial/retail, and 50 acres of parks and open space.

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Oakland, Calif. (Oct. 8, 2009) – SunCal Companies today released the following statement regarding critical cleanup and maintenance issues at the Oak Knoll property in Oakland:

“We are pleased to announce that we have reached a stipulation with the project’s bankruptcy trustee and Lehman Brothers to effectively address some of the concerns about the site that are of an immediate nature.  Contingent upon the court’s approval, the trustee has agreed to release funds for property-wide weed abatement, cleaning up wood piles and repairing of perimeter fences.  In addition, there would be a team of armed security guards on duty 24 hours per day to help secure the property from trespassers.”

“The resumption of property maintenance and security is an important matter we have consistently advocated with Lehman Brothers, the financial partner for SunCal Oak Knoll, LLC, the owner of the Oak Knoll property.  Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy in September 2008 and this has affected the funding for Oak Knoll and other projects that the firm provided financing for.”

“We are continuing our discussions with Lehman and the trustee about the outstanding issues at Oak Knoll and are working with them in an effort to resolve these matters.  SunCal remains committed to the long-term potential and vision of the Oak Knoll master-planned community.”

Oakland City Councilmember Larry Reid thanked SunCal for continuing to bring these important health and safety issues to light throughout the ongoing legal proceedings involving Lehman Brothers and Oak Knoll.

“For more than a year, SunCal has been working with Lehman and the court to indentify these problems,” Reid said. “This stipulation ensures that the health and safety of our residents remains our number one priority now and into the future as the Oak Knoll property is brought back into productive use.”

A total of more than $500,000 for cleanup and maintenance at Oak Knoll, once approved by the bankruptcy court, will address the most urgent concerns throughout the property.  The money is coming after SunCal’s ongoing, repeated efforts to obtain funding for Oak Knoll that predates the current Lehman court proceedings and extends back to Lehman’s bankruptcy in September 2008. 

SunCal is continuing to work through the court to bring in a new source of funding to address the remaining issues at the 167-acre property and move the development forward.  The plans for the Oak Knoll community include 960 homes with a diversity of housing types, 82,000 square feet of commercial retail, and 50 acres of parks and open space.

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More than 8,000 signatures were hand-delivered to the City at 10:30 a.m. yesterday, starting the process to qualify the initiative for the ballot in 2010.

SunCal is currently under an exclusive negotiation agreement with the City of Alameda and continues to work with them to discuss details of the plan. “We are committed to working together in good faith with the City to clarify all issues and concerns so we can all achieve the goal of finally creating a new vision for Alameda Point,” said Pat Keliher of SunCal Companies.

The City selected SunCal as the Alameda Point master developer in 2007, and SunCal then initiated a series of public workshops to collect input from citizens about what they would like to see at the Point. The result – after more than 20 workshops and public presentations – is a plan for a sustainable mixed-use community that is designed to incorporate a variety of environmental, recreational and transit benefits.

Alameda Point is a public/private partnership that will involve the use of City redevelopment funds and major financial commitments from the developer.

Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy in September 2008 and this affected the funding for Oak Knoll and other projects that the firm provided financing for.  However, we are presently engaged in discussions with Lehman about the outstanding issues at Oak Knoll, and we are working with them in a cooperative effort to resolve this and the respective matters at other properties.  SunCal remains committed to the long-term potential and vision of the Oak Knoll master-planned community.

See a related post on the Alamedans for Alameda Point Revitalization blog here.

“Alamedans for Alameda Point Revitalization (AAPR) was formed to ensure that the voices of those who want a positive, realistic and financially healthy plan for Alameda Point are heard,” said Doug Siden, AAPR chair and member of the East Bay Regional Parks board.

The City, the Navy and SunCal, the planning and development firm selected by the City to plan the revitalization of Alameda Point, have been engaged in extensive planning for the reuse of the Point with the community. The Plan will soon be put before the citizens of Alameda as an initiative to be voted on in a citywide election.

Voters — not city council members, developers or special interests — will have the final say on whether this plan makes sense for our community.

The Alameda Point Revitalization Initiative calls for a new mixed-use community where the former Navy base is now and will result in environmental cleanup. It will feature new jobs, new homes, public transit improvements, a new ferry terminal, 58 acres of public sports and recreation facilities, 15 miles of public trails and 150 acres of public parks and improved access to the waterfront.

All of these things, including infrastructure upgrades and civic amenities, such as a new library, new schools and a fire station, will be open and available to all Alameda residents and will result in a net gain in revenue for the city and won’t be an economic drain.

“We feel confident,” Siden said. “That if you study the plan for Alameda Point you will support it as well.”

For more information about the plan and the team, visit alamedapoint.blogspot.com

Alamedans for Alameda Point Revitalization

titles for identification purposes only

Doug Siden

Board Member, East Bay Regional Parks

Doug Biggs

Executive Director, Alameda Point Collaborative

Josh Cohen

Qibits Associates

Barbara Kahn

Alameda Democratic Club

Diane Lichtenstein

Vice President, HOMES

Ron Matthews

President, Alameda Little League, Alameda Babe Ruth, & Alameda High School Athletic Boosters

Kathy Moehring

Executive Director, West Alameda Business Association

Honora Murphy

Friends of the Alameda Free Library

Helen Sause

President, HOMES

Brad Shook

President, Bladium Sports and Fitness Club;

President, West Alameda Business Association

Jon Spangler

Writer/Editor

Kevin Gorham

Athletic Director/Teacher, Encinal High School

Chris Seiwald

Owner, Perforce Software

The Alameda Point Revitalization Initiative is Alameda’s best chance to ensure that something positive and long-lasting happens at the underutilized and rundown former naval air station.

The plan was drafted using input from Alameda residents during more than 20 public hearings and multiple community meetings. In order to ensure that Alameda Point is safe for residents, the plan requires SunCal to fund environmental cleanup as an enhancement to the Navy’s ongoing cleanup project.

The cleanup is mandated by the Initiative and is a keystone of the plan — without the cleanup, the revitalization of Alameda Point cannot move forward.

The plan also includes trails and walkways that provide public access to the waterfront and some of the most beautiful views in the Bay Area. It also features sports fields and walking trails that will be available to all Alameda residents. These and other important community elements of the plan were developed during more than two years of public outreach that continues to this day.

Today, SunCal is reaching out to neighborhoods, holding meetings and talking to residents about what they want to see happen at the old Navy base and answering questions about how the plan will work.

Alameda voters will get the chance to have final word on the Initiative when it is put to a vote sometime in early 2010. This is such an important plan that we felt that the entire Island ought to have a say in whether it should move forward. It is important to understand, however, that even when voters approve this plan that the public process isn’t over.

Each phase of the build-out will still require city permits and approvals, all of which will be considered during multiple public hearings. Additionally, the environmental review of the plan will involve a public comment and notification process that will allow all stakeholders to continue to have critical input into the plan’s final shape.

Part of that final plan will include a comprehensive approach to traffic on the Island. The public transportation portion of this plan includes a bus rapid transit line, direct bus links to nearby BART stations and a brand new ferry terminal serving the new neighborhood.

Another important part of the traffic plan is featured in the very design of the project. The Initiative authorizes a mixed-use, transit-friendly, pedestrian-oriented new neighborhood that will that will encourage people to leave their cars at home. Also, because the plan features new schools, shops and restaurants, it minimizes the need for multiple car trips by future Alameda Point residents.

The new public benefit features of the plan — all of which were identified by Alameda residents and the Island’s leadership as key elements in revitalizing the old base — will be paid for using taxes and fees generated by the future residents of Alameda Point. This means that taxpayers who live outside Alameda Point will not be required to pay for these elements, but everyone in Alameda will be able to enjoy access to its amenities.

It has been 12 years since the Navy left Alameda Point. Since then, failed plans have come and gone. In 2007, we were chosen by the city to create a new vision and we’ve worked with hundreds of Alamedans through numerous public meetings to shape our plans. The Initiative reflects what the Alameda community has been telling us they want to see on this property.

We believe the people of Alameda want to see positive changes at the Point and they deserve their voices to be heard. Let the voters decide for themselves what future they want for their city when the Alameda Point Revitalization Initiative appears on the ballot in 2010.

 Posted below is a letter sent to a local newspaper we think is worthy of your attention.

Open-minded

By Barbara Kahn – Alameda Sun: Aug. 20, 2009

I agree that it would be wonderful to have a green technology/sustainable energy research park at Alameda Point (Letters, Aug. 13). It has been the dream of many of us who care about the environment that Alameda Point include a major employer in the green technology or environmental sustainability field. But this is just part of the dream.

Imagine if those who worked for such an employer were able to walk to work, shop locally, and have access to all sorts of recreational opportunities without having to commute on and off the Island.

Imagine if there were a variety of shopping options so that those who live on the Point could shop without using their cars. The SunCal plan for Alameda Point includes a large campus for a major employer as well as space for other job creation opportunities, civic and recreational amenities, and an array of housing choices. I encourage those who care about the environment to take a look at the SunCal plan to revitalize Alameda Point.