1998-02-04 ARRA PacketAGENDA
Regular Meeting of the Governing Body of the
Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority
* * * * * * **
Alameda City Hall
Council Chamber, Room 390
2263 Santa Clara Avenue
Alameda, CA 94501
Wednesday, February 4, 1998
Meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.
City Hall will open at 5:15 p.m.
IF YOU WISH TO ADDRESS THE AUTHORITY:
(1) Please file .a speaker's slip with the secretary, and upon recognition by the Chair, approach the
rostrum and state your name. Speakers are limited to three minutes per item.
(2) Lengthy testimony should be submitted in writing and only a summary of pertinent points
presented verbally.
(3) Applause or demonstrations are prohibited during ARRA meetings.
. CLOSED SESSION OF THE ARRA TO CONSIDER:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -- ANTICIPATED
LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(c)
Potential number of cases: One
2. ROLL CALL
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
3 -A. Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of January 7, 1998.
5:30 p.m.
3 -B. Recommending award of contract in the amount of $501,630 to Svala Construction to
renovate Building 530 at Alameda Point, ARRA Project Number 07-49- 03698 -530A (P.W.
No. 11- 97 -29).
4. ACTION ITEMS
4 -C. Recommendation authorizing ARRA staff to pursue discussions with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service regarding the size and acreage of the wildlife refuge.
4 -D. Report recommending authorization for the Executive Director to finalize and execute a five-
year lease with a five -year option to renew on Building 9 with Simmba Systems.
4 -E. BRAG recommendation that ARRA write a letter to the Navy expressing concern about delays
in the EIS.
ARRA Agenda - February 4, 1998 Page 2
5. ORAL REPORTS
5 -F. Gallagher & Lindsay West Housing marketing plan.
5 -G. Update on leasing progress by Ed Levine, ARRA Facilities Manager.
5 -H. Oral report from the BRAG updating the ARRA on current activities.
5 -I. Written report from the Executive Director updating the ARRA on:
1. EDA and OEA budget request status
2. Golf course feasibility study
3. Lead -based paint report
4. Campus outreach effort
5. Refuge- related issues
6. ARRA letter of support to Congresswoman Tauscher for ISTEA funding for I -880
demonstration project
5 -J. Oral report from the Executive Director (non- discussion items).
6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON - AGENDA (PUBLIC COMMENT)
(Any person may address the governing body in regard to any matter over which the governing
body has jurisdiction, or of which it may take cognizance, that is not on the agenda.)
7. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE GOVERNING BODY
8. ADJOURNMENT
Notes:
• Sign language interpreters will be available on request. Please contact Patti Van Mark, ARRA Secretary,
at 864 -3400 at least 72 hours before the meeting to request an interpreter.
• Accessible seating for persons with disabilities (including those using wheelchairs) is available.
• Minutes of the meeting are available in enlarged print.
• Audio tapes of the meeting are available for review at the ARRA offices upon request.
This meeting will be simultaneously broadcast on cable channel 22.
The next regular ARRA meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, 1998.
APPROVED lnl,�J
,U�;rU MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
ALAMEDA REUSE AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY �� _
Wednesday, January 7, 1998
The meeting convened at 5:37 p.m. with Chair Appezzato presiding.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Ralph Appezzato, Mayor, City of Alameda
Albert DeWitt, Councilmember, City of Alameda
Barbara Kerr, Councilmember, City of Alameda
Tony Daysog, Councilmember, City of Alameda
Mark Friedman, alternate to Wilma Chan, Alameda County Board of Supervisors,
District 3
Jay Leonhardy, alternate to Henry Chang, Jr., alternate to Elihu Harris, Mayor, City
of Oakland
Kathleen Ornelas, alternate to Ellen Corbett, Mayor, City of San Leandro (arrived at
5:40 p.m.)
Absent: Sandre Swanson, District Director, 9th Congressional District
Karin Lucas, Councilmember, City of Alameda
Ex- officio: Lee Perez, Ex- officio, Base Reuse Advisory Group
Ardella Dailey, Ex-officio, Alameda Unified School District
CONSENT CALENDAR
2 -A. Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of December 3. 1997.
2 -B. Approval of the minutes of the special meeting of December 16, 1997.
Speakers: None.
Alternate Friedman moved approval of the Consent Calendar. The motion was seconded by
Member Daysog and passed by the following voice vote: Ayes: 6. Noes: 0. Absent: 3 -
Alternate Ornelas arrived subsequent to the vote; Member Lucas and Member Swanson were
absent.
ACTION ITEMS
3 -C. Re ommending award of contract in the amount of $1.148,950 to Sausal Corporation to
upgrade building 39 at Alameda Point, project number 07- 49- 03698 -39A (P.W. 11- 97 -25).
Executive Director Miller stated that this action was identical to the recommendation that the
Alameda City Council had adopted the previous evening with one exception. The $1,148,950 total
amount slated on the ARRA staff report had been lowered to $1,045,000 due to the elimination of
$103,950 for Bid Alternates 1 through 11. This change was made subsequent to the mailing of the
staff report. The staff recommendation was, therefore, that the board approve the contract with
Sausal for $1,045,000 as approved by the City Council the previous evening.
Speakers: None.
recycled paper 1 H:\ MENSLEY \ARRA \MINUTES1199811- 7- 98.MIN
Member Daysog moved approval of the amended staff recommendation. The motion was
seconded by Member DeWitt and passed by the following voice vote: Ayes: 6. Noes: 0.
Absent: 3 - Alternate Ornelas arrived subsequent to the vote; Member Lucas and Member
Swanson were absent.
3 -D. Recommendation from the BRAG for the ARRA to write a letter to Lieutenant Commander
Scott Smith to improve the lighting at Alameda Point.
Speakers: None.
Member. DeWitt moved approval of the BRAG recommendation. The motion was seconded
by Alternate Friedman and passed by the following voice vote: Ayes: 6. Noes: 0. Absent: 3 -
Alternate Ornelas arrived subsequent to the vote; Member Lucas and Member Swanson were
absent.
ORAL REPORTS
4. -E. Status report on efforts to enhance regional transportation access by Cheri Sheets. Supervising
Civil Engineer. Engineering Division. City Public Works Department.
Cheri Sheets, Supervising Engineer for the Engineering Division of the City's Public Works
Department, gave a presentation on the current problems with regional access to Alameda and
Alameda Point, in particular. She outlined previous studies undertaken to develop the NAS Street
Improvement Plan and stated that ARRA is currently requesting OEA funding to identify potential
funding sources, as well as a strategy to secure those sources for critical projects. She also reported
on the participation of City staff in a regional planning activity focused on improving access to I-
880/980, efforts to enhance existing water transit components, and the development of other
programs such as water taxis and amphibious buses.
4 -F. Oral report from the BRAG updating the ARRA on current activities.
BRAG Chair Perez thanked the ARRA for accepting the BRAG recommendation that ARRA write
a letter to LCDR Scott Smith to urge the Navy to improve the lighting at Alameda Point. He stated •
that the BRAG is working intensely to help define the future role of BRAG.
4 -G. Written status report from the Executive Director on ARRA activities.
(1) EIS delayed; (2) USFWS response to ARRA letter regarding boundary and acreage of the
wildlife refuge; (3) Golf course request for proposals (RFP); (4) Sublease with the Alameda Center
for Environmental Technology (ACET) for building 7; (5) RFP for film studio operator; (6) East Bay
Regional Park District Financing Study.
Executive Director Miller stated that today she had received correspondence from Dave Ryan at EFA
West informing the ARRA that the NEPA/ROD had been moved forward to January 1999 due to
"slippage" in the EIS and EIR. She further reported that the golf course RFP to do a feasibility study
was "out on the street ".
Chair Appezzato mentioned that he had been interviewed by Bay TV about the continuing
production of movies, commercials, and television shows at Alameda Point facilities.
Member DeWitt requested that an action item be agendized for the February 3, 1998 ARRA meeting
to discuss the USFWS letter referenced in item #2. He stated that he wanted to go on the record as
opposing any more than 525 acres. Member Kerr stated that the USFWS had taken a proprietary
interest in uses outside the refuge, and she requested that the staff report for that action item include
recycled paper 2 H:\MENSLEY\ARRA\MINUTES \1998 \I- 7- 98.MIN
the current thinking of USFWS in this area as well as an update on communications with the
Sacramento USFWS office.
4 -H. (11 - • • r • • a. • - . - • ' - • • • • - • iscussion items)
Executive Director Miller expressed her regret at the departure of ARRA Secretary Margaret Ensley
and welcomed Patti Van Mark, who will take over the duties of ARRA Secretary on January 12,
1998.
Speakers.
Bill Smith, an interested citizen, asked for resolution to recycled fence production at Alameda Point
and stated that the bunkers are a perfect vantage point for bird watchers, which could be reached by
locally produced electric vehicles.
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I .Y — None.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by Chair Appezzato at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
aAkt
Margaret E. Ensley
ARRA Secretary
recycled paper 3 H:\ARRA\MINUTES\1998 \l- 7- 98.MIN
Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority
Interoffice Memorandum
January 23, 1998
TO: Honorable Members of the
Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority
FROM: Kay Miller, Executive Director k;h/t ---'
SUBJ: Recommending Award of Contract in the Amount of $501,630 to Svala Construction
to Renovate Building 530, Alameda Point, ARRA Project No. 07- 49- 03698 -530A
(No. P.W. 11- 97 -29)
Background:
On December 16, 1997, the ARRA governing board adopted plans and specifications to renovate
Building 530 at Alameda Point, No. P.W. 11- 97 -29.
The renovations are required to make the building code - compliant and suitable to lease. The
approved lease to Tower Aviation will generate $2.6 million of gross rents over the 10 -year term.
The renovations are funded by a federal construction grant from the Economic Development
Administration (EDA) to ARRA with matching funds from ARRA lease revenues and a State of
California grant.
Renovations to this 84,000 square foot building include upgrades to the utility services; Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA); upgrades to the mechanical and electrical service including sprinklers,
heating, ventilating and cooling system (including a new cooling tower), alarms, emergency lighting,
lighting; and paving, striping and parking upgrades.
There are four alternates for this project. Add alternate no. 1 is for shop lighting, add alternate no.2
is for constructing an area separation wall, add alternate no. 3 is for office improvements, and add
alternate no. 4 is for interior partitions. Add alternates 1 and 2 will be included in this contract.
The award of the contract is subject to the approval of both the ARRA and the City Council. The
award is also subject to EDA approval and verification of contractor's supporting materials (bonds,
certificates of insurance, etc.).
Discussion /Analysis:
Bids were opened January 21, 1998, with 8 contractors submitting bids. The list of bidders from
lowest to highest is as listed below. Amounts are based on base bid plus alternates no. 1 and 2. The
$177,000 cost of the alternates will be charged to Tower through increased rent, amortized over the
term of the lease.
Svala Construction
M.A. Davies Construction
Alten Construction
Thorenfeldt Construction
Krueger Bros.
San Francisco
Fairfax
San Rafael
S. San Francisco
San Francisco
$436,200
$483,312
$522,391
$537,274
$547,323
Honorable Members of the
Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority
Sausal Corporation San Leandro $553,186
DSKa San Francisco $603,760
Pencon San Ramon $650,000
The engineer's estimate is $600,000.
The total contractor award amount, including 15% contingencies, is $501,630.
Budget Consideration/Financial Impact:
January 23, 1998
Page 2
A federal grant from the EDA to ARRA will cover 75% of construction costs. The remaining 25 %,
which must be paid from local sources, will be paid from a state grant (from the California Trade
and Commerce Agency) and from ARRA lease revenues.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the ARRA approve the award of a contract in the amount of $501,630. to
Svala Construction to renovate Building 530, Alameda Point, No. P.W. 11 -97 -29 (ARRA project
No. 07- 49- 03698- 530A), subject to Council approval, EDA approval and verification of contractor's
bonds, certificates of insurance and financial standing.
Respectfully submitted,
Kay Miller
Executive Director
Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority
Interoffice Memorandum
January 29, 1998
TO: "; Honorable Members of the
Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority
FROM Kay Miller, Executive Director
SUBJ: Recommendation authorizing ARRA staff to pursue discussions with the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service regarding the ci7e and arri ge of the wildlife refiig
Background:
As the Board is fully aware, the issue of the size and boundary of the wildlife refuge was a topic of
more than two years of discussion and negotiation. The discussion was finally brought to closure
by an October 1996 letter from Deputy Secretary of Interior John Garamendi stating that the USFWS
would be requesting 525 acres of land and 375 acres underwater as a federal -to- federal transfer from
the Navy to Interior. The Board acknowledged this decision in its adoption of an amendment to the
Community Reuse Plan which referred to the refuge acreage.
The USFWS has begun surveying the property in preparation for completion of the federal -to- federal
transfer agreement. The survey work has revealed that the area in the airfield is actually larger than
either ARRA or USFWS staff had previously thought in reliance upon non - surveyed maps. The
survey indicates that the proposed wildlife refuge contains 571 acres, 46 acres more than the
anticipated 525 acres, or an acreage addition of 8.76% to the refuge. The Northwest Territory to the
north of the refuge is also larger than projected. It contains 224 acres, an additional 35 acres from
the projected 189 acres, an 18.5% increase in the property. The survey work has relied on a
boundary line agreed to by ARRA and USFWS staff in 1996 which splits the east/west runway
between the refuge and the Northwest Territory.
At its January meeting, the ARRA Board instructed staff to look into this matter and report back to
the Board at its February meeting.
Discussion:
ARRA staff has advised the USFWS staff that the ARRA Board has expressed concern over the
refuge size. Staff has met with the USFWS staff to attempt to define ways that the disparity
regarding the acreage might be resolved. Roberta Brooks from Congressman Dellums' office and
Jamie Henderson from Senator Boxer's office attended the meeting in an attempt to help facilitate
a resolution to the disagreement.
Several options were explored as ways to resolve the difference:
1. The ARRA /City be allowed an easement for a 100 foot right -of -way in the northern part of the
refuge to construct an east/west road which is a part of the Alameda Point Street Improvement Plan.
It appears that this option is problematic in terms of protection of a critical habitat within the refuge.
2. The USFWS has identified approximately seven additional acres on the eastern boundary of the
refuge that could be added to the property to be conveyed to the ARRA/City.
Honorable Members of the
Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority
January 29, 1998
Page 2
3. The USFWS would explicitly state that the refuge will not interfere with the ARRA' s /City's
ability to develop the seaplane lagoon and access thereto for pleasure boat, recreational and marine
related uses.
4. The USFWS could explore some easing of restrictions on uses in the Northwest Territory.
5. The USFWS will consider the possibility of allowing some dredge spoil deposits within the
northern boundary of the refuge to permit contouring of the golf course, perhaps assisting with
drainage and making the fencing along the refuge appear less intrusive and lessen its visual impact
on adjacent uses.
6. The USFWS will look for other areas in the refuge where acreage might be allocated that would
not compromise important habitat.
7. The USFWS will explore the possibility of ARRA /City use or lease of the bunkers within the
refuge to produce revenue.
8. The staffs discussed the fact that the northern boundary line may be slightly inaccurate, which
could also add several acres to the ARRAICity property.
Fiscal Impact:
The potential addition of developable acreage to the ARRAICity property or easing of the
restrictions on use would likely result in increased sales or leasing revenues and property taxes or
tax increments.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the ARRA Board authorize staff to continue to work with the USFWS to
come to a resolution concerning the refuge property. Another meeting date has been set for the
second week in February to continue these discussions with a goal toward immediate resolution.
Respectfully submitted,
lAkt‘
Kay Miller
Executive Director
Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority
Interoffice Memorandum
January 28, 1998
TO: Honorable Members of the
Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority
FROM: Kay Miller, Executive Director
SUBJ: Report recommending authorization for the Executive Director to finalize and
execute a five -year lease with a five -year option to renew on Building 9 with Simmba
Syctemc
Background:
Simmba Systems wishes to enter into a five -year lease with a five -year renewal option on building
9 and adjoining property. Since the combined term of this lease and option exceeds seven years, the
ARRA governing body must authorize the Executive Director to execute the lease.
Discussion:
Building 9 is an approximately 80,000 sq.ft. warehouse, formerly used by the Navy for parts storage.
Simmba Systems wishes to lease the building for a document storage operation. The building's
existing racking and storage /retrieval systems makes it ideally suited for this function. Simmba's rent
will escalate from $0.25 /sq.ft. /month in year one to $0.28 in year five. Because they are a start-up
company, Simmba may not need all 80,000 sq.ft. in the building until late in their lease term.
Accordingly, we have agreed to allow them to occupy space on a phased basis, starting with a
minimum of 30,000 sq.ft. in year one and increasing in increments to 80,000 in year five. If
Simmba's business grows faster than anticipated, they may occupy and pay for additional space on
an as needed basis. The gross rent during the initial lease term will be a minimum of $782,000 and
may be significantly more depending on the growth of Simmba's business. The gross rent over the
option period will be approximately $1,500,000. Simmba will employ about 40 -50 people at full
operation.
Fiscal Impact:
The ARRA will have to spend approximately $350,000 from its EDA grant to replace the roof and
provide ADA upgrades for this building. This money will be recovered from rent during the first two
to three years of the lease term. Thereafter, the ARRA's net revenue for the lease and option period
will be almost $2.0 million.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the ARRA governing body authorize the Executive Director to finalize and
execute the proposed five -year lease for building 9 with Simmba Systems.
Respectfully submitted,
/liti(,t�itJ
Kay Miller
Executive Director
Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority
Interoffice Memorandum
January 27, 1998
TO: Honorable Members of the
Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority
FROM: Kay Miller, Executive Director
SUBJECT: BRAG recommendation that ARRA write a letter to the Navy expressing concern
about delays in the EIS
Background:
The Navy has recently announced a new projected date for issuance of the National Environmental
Protection Act (NEPA) Record of Decision (ROD) for NAS and FISC, Alameda of January 1999.
This delay in the ROD is triggered by delays in the Environmental Impact Statement/Report
(EIS/EIR). A ROD cannot be issued until the EIS required under the NEPA is complete. Because
California has its own environmental review requirement under the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA), the NAS and FISC document is being conducted as a joint document to satisfy
both NEPA and CEQA.
Discussion:
Originally, the EIS was scheduled for completion in the winter of 1997 with a ROD anticipated in
April 1997. There have been numerous delays in the EIS/EIR process. The most significant delay
was caused by the controversy over the size of the USFWS refuge which needed to be resolved in
order to describe the property to be included in the EIS. Other shorter delays.have resulted from the
finalization of the Navy's biological assessment, and, most recently, the process for the Navy's
internal review of the document before the draft is released to the public. Delays have also resulted
from City and ARRA staff reviews, since the document is serving as the City's EIR under CEQA.
Delays in the EIS are of critical concern to the City and the ARRA because of the concomitant delay
in the ROD. Until the ROD is issued, title to property cannot be conveyed and long -term leases
cannot be entered into with long -term tenants or even end - users. The completion of the EIS and
issuance of the ROD is needed for the consummation of the developer agreement for the FISC and
for that project to move forward. The Local Area Military Base Recovery Area (LAMBRA) cannot
commence for Alameda Point and the FISC until the EIR is complete. In addition, the Alameda
Point Improvement Project (APIP) is relying on this EIR. There are numerous consequences and
implications to the delay of the EIS and subsequent ROD. The BRAG is seriously concerned that
there not be additional delays.
Fiscal Impact:
The fiscal impact of the delay of the EIS and ROD is difficult to quantify but could be substantial
if the ARRA is not able to make long -term commitments and agreements on Alameda Point and
FISC property while the California economy is so strong. Market conditions in California can be
volatile, and there will be economic consequences if we are unable to act in this "hot" market.
Honorable Members of the
Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority
January 27, 1998
Page 2
Recommendation:
The BRAG recommends that the ARRA write to the Navy expressing the following:
1. That the announced January 1999 date for the ROD must be adhered to for a complete, adequate
EIR/EIS as originally agreed to.
2. That a chronology of the delays be included in the letter from the ARRA to the Navy.
3. That the consequences of further delays be clearly articulated in the letter from the ARRA to the
Navy.
ARRA staff has reviewed this recommendation and concurs that such a letter be sent and
recommends that it also express the joint desire on the part of the ARRA, City and Navy for a
complete and adequate environmental document. The ARRA and City staff are committed to
scheduling the time necessary for local review of the documents and comments to keep the EIS on
schedule.
Respectfully submitted,
ab 11A
Kay Miller
Executive Director
H:\MENSLEY\ARRA \STAFFREP\ 1998\DELAY.EIS
Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority
Interoffice Memorandum
January 28, 1998
TO: Honorable Members of the
Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority
FROM: Kay Miller, Executive Director
SUBJ: Written status report from the Executive Director on ARRA activities.
1. EDA and OEA budget request status. ARRA submitted a pre- application to EDA for $3 million
for building upgrades at Alameda Point. The regional EDA office is recommending to Washington,
D.C. that we be invited to formally apply for $1.65 million due to shortage in the allocation of base
closure (Title 9) funds to this region. The City applied for $1.1 million to do design and engineering
work on the Tinker/Tynan Road extension. The regional office of EDA has not yet recommended
this project, and the regional director and one of the project officers have requested a site visit to the
property before making a recommendation on this part of our grant request. Finally, $350,000 has
been awarded to ARRA for the continuation of the Alameda Center for Environmental Technology
(ACET).
ARRA submitted its application for 1998 funding to OEA in December of 1997. A technical review
committee ('I'RC) of OEA has not yet been heard on our grant application. Mark Braly, our project
officer, expects to hold a TRC on our request the week of February 9, 1998.
2. Golf course feasibility study. Proposals for the golf course feasibility study are due in the ARRA
offices on Friday, January 30, 1998, and we will be conducting interviews in mid- February for the
top proposals. Work is then expected to commence immediately after selection of the contractors.
3. Lead -based paint report. The ARRA is still awaiting a schedule and description for lead -based
paint removal from the Navy.
4. Campus outreach effort. Dr. Robert Fisher is under contract to conduct the campus outreach
effort. An advertisement is being placed in the Chronicle of Higher Education, which reaches
national and international higher education schools and communities. Dr. Fisher will also be
meeting with Touro University (San Francisco College of Osteopathic Medicine), the California
School of Professional Psychology (CSPP), and Pan Pacific University (PPU) to further evaluate
their proposals for campus use. The outreach effort is proceeding on target with a proposed report
to the ARRA Board in April.
5. Refuge- related issues.
(A) Management plan. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has announced a delay
in the completion of their draft management plan; they now do not expect that the plan will be out
until March of this year. Following the issuance of the draft management plan, the public, the
ARRA, and the BRAG will all have 60 days to comment on the draft before it is finalized by the
USFWS. During an early scoping session in the fall of 1997, we told them our concerns that needed
to be addressed in the plan related to:
Honorable Members of the
Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority
(1) Public access to the refuge
(2) Fencing of the refuge
(3) Predator control measures
(4) Staffing and budget concerns
(5) Aesthetics of the refuge
A copy of our letter dated September 12, 1997 is attached hereto.
January 28, 1998
Page 2
(B) Refuge environmental assessment (EA). In conjunction with the development of the
management plan, the USFWS is conducting an EA on the refuge rather than a full EIS. They are
expecting that the EA will be complete at about the same time as the management plan. A schedule
of their proposed dates for completion, as well as contact information, is attached.
(C) Section 7 consultation under the Endangered Species Act. In the fall, the Navy submitted
its biological assessment to the Endangered Species Office of the USFWS. This initiated the process
of the Service's evaluation of whether the Navy's proposed disposition plans for the Naval Air
Station pose a jeopardy to the endangered species located on the facility. The USFWS will be
looking at the proposed uses adjacent to the refuge as well as any proposed mitigations and render
a jeopardy determination by February 18, 1998. If the Service renders a non jeopardy decision, the
Navy may proceed to dispose of the property according to the Community Reuse Plan. If the
Service renders a jeopardy decision, the Navy cannot dispose of the property without further
remediation or mitigations.
6. ARRA letter of support to Congresswoman Tauscher for ISTEA funding for I -880 demonstration
project. The ARRA has approved and funded the study of this project, which consists of
improvements to the Broadway /Jackson Street ramps in Oakland to improve freeway access for
Alameda and Alameda Point. A letter of support from the Chair of the ARRA Board will reinforce
the importance of this project to the reuse of Alameda Point. A copy of a letter of support from
Mayor Appezzato and Mayor Harris of Oakland is attached hereto as an example.
Respectfully submitted,
I4.1. c, it\kL ,tom
Kay Miller
Executive Director
H:\ MENSLEY \ARRA \STATUS.RPT\STATUS2.4
Alameda Reuse and 'Redevelopment Authority
Alameda Point/NAS Alameda •
950 W. Mall Square - Building 1
Alameda, CA 94501 -5012
Governing Body
Ralph Appezzato
Chair
Mayor, City of Alameda
Sandr6 R. Swanson
Vice -Chair
District Director for
Ronald V. Dellums
9th Congressional District
Wilma Chan
Supervisor, District 3
Alameda County Board
of Supervisors
Henry Chang, Jr.
Oakland Councilmember
serving for
Elihu Harris
Mayor, City of Oakland
Ellen M. Corbett
Mayor
City of San Leandro
Tony Daysog
Councilmember
City of Alameda
Albert H. DeWitt
Councilmember
City of Alameda
Barbara Kerr
Councilmember
City of Alameda
Karin Lucas
Councilmember
City of Alameda
Kay Miller
Executive Director
September 12, 1997
Charles Houghten, Chief
Planning Branch, ARW/RE
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
911 NE l l th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97232 -4181
Re: Draft Comprehensive Management Plan, Alameda NWR
Gentlemen:
(510) 864 -3400
Fax: (510) 521 -3764
The Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority appreciates the efforts made by
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to assure that the ARRA and the local
community have the opportunity t� participate in development of the management
plan for the Alameda National Wildlife Refuge. We will be neighbors and partners
for years to come and hope to continue in a spirit of cooperation to make the
Alameda NWR a refuge in which we can all take pride and ownership. To that end,
the ARRA would like the following issues to be considered by the Service in its
development of the comprehensive management plan for the refuge.
Issue I: Public Access. In various meetings regarding the refuge, there have been
discussions relative to public access but it is still unclear what exactly will be
allowed. There is strong interest in the community that the refuge is people- friendly
and not merely sits as an expanse of tarmac inaccessible to the public. To address
this interest the ARRA would like the following questions to be addressed in the
management plan:
1. Will access be restricted year -round or just when the least terns are
present?
2. When the terns are present, will the public be allowed to view the
nesting colony? How?
3. What type of access will be allowed when the least terns are not present?
4. What type of public facilities will be included in the refuge.
5. Is the Service still willing to cooperate with the East Bay Regional Park
district on a perimeter trail as indicated by Deputy Secretary Garamendi
(November 18, 1997 letter to Kay Miller, Executive Director, ARRA)?
6. What restrictions will be placed on the perimeter access trail?
7. Will access be allowed into the West Beach Landfill wetland area?
8. What measures will be included to assure the refuge is people - friendly?
In our previous discussions with the Service, there has been agreement to maintain
September 12, 1997
Page 2
channel access through the submerged area of the refuge in order to accommodate the proposed
marina. The ARRA would like the comprehensive management plan to include a statement of
commitment with respect to this access.
Issue 2: Predator control: Effective predator management is often cited as one of the key factors
contributing to the success of the least tern colony at NAS Alameda. The Navy's management
program included preparing the site prior to arrival of the birds, and monitoring the colony during
the breeding/nesting season to identify and remove predators. Methods for removing predators
varied but sometimes consisted of trapping and euthanizing or tracking and shooting. While the
ARRA understands that these methods may be necessary to protect the least tern, we encourage the
Service's goal to employ a more proactive approach to predator management and reduce the need
to euthanize or shoot. Some proactive measures for consideration include:
1. Increase monitoring of the colony during the breeding/nesting season. Station a monitor
at the colony all day, every day just prior to and during the breeding/nesting season to
identify and quickly react to potential predator issues.
2. Have equipment required by the monitor for removing predators readily available and
accessible on the site. •
3. Add the use of harassment as a technique for discouraging perching or foraging raptors.
4. Remove potential perch sites in the vicinity of the colony.
5. Strive to increase the existing colony so that it may better withstand moderate predation.
Assisting the Navy with effective predator management was the large expanse of open tarmac and
runways constituting an inhospitable environment for predators. With reuse of the base, a small
portion of this open space in the Northwest Territories will be replace by light industrial
development, golf course and play fields. However, the 525 -acres of land within the refuge
boundary will continue to provide a sufficient buffer of open space and protection for the least tern
colony. As confirmed by Assistant Regional Director Hall in a letter to Ms. Roberta Cheff Brooks
of Congressman Dellums' Office (October 1, 1996), in agreeing to modify its original request, the
Service recognized some alternate predator foraging areas and buffer zone would be permanently
lost to light industrial development. However, the Service determined that 525 acres would "still
preserve the majority of the buffer zone surrounding the main colony site that has greatly contributed
to the past success of the least tern colony, and also preserve all known locations within the buffer
zone where least terns have moved their young during past breeding seasons in apparent attempts
to avoid predator pressure at the main colony site."
Issue 3: Funding: The ARRA expects the comprehensive management plan to include the
expected capital expenses and annual operating budget for the refuge. We further expect the Service
to identify the funding source for these expenses to provide the community assurances that it
maintains the resources to properly manage the refuge.
Issue 4: Aesthetics: The ARRA understands that aesthetics of the refuge are not of primary
September 12, 1997
Page 3
concern to the Service, however, they are of concern to the community since the refuge will
comprise a large portion of Alameda Point. Therefore, the ARRA encourages the Service to provide
detailed descriptions of the fence design, maintenance of the tarmac area, design/installation of any
additional structures, and any proposed habitat restoration activities in the comprehensive
management plan. At the August 12, 1997 public workshop /open house, the Service expressed its
intent to enhance wetland habitat in the Runway Wetland area. The ARRA is supportive of this
intent and any other restoration activities that would improve habitat for all of the wildlife using the
area. The goal of the open space system incorporated into the Community Reuse Plan is to provide
a family friendly environment serving all members of the community. The ARRA expects the
Service to consider this goal since the refuge will encompass a large portion of the community and
open space component.
Issue 5: Use of the airfield for other activities: For the past two years, the ARRA, the City and
the Service have discussed potential compatible economic uses within the refuge, particularly a
private, restricted -use airfield and use of the bunkers in the northern portion of the airfield. The
ARRA expects the Service to seriously consider these and all other reasonable use proposals in the
preparation of its comprehensive management plan. The ARRA anticipates closure on these issues
through the development of the management plan. The ARRA also expects the Service to carefully
weigh any small increase of the Service's incremental risk or responsibility against the economic
benefit to the community and the facilitation of conversion of the property from military to civilian
development.
Thank you for considering the ARRA's comments. The ARRA looks forward to continuing its
participation in development of the comprehensive management plan and in creating a refuge that
• meets the needs•of wildlife and of the surrounding community.
Sincerely,
Kay Miller
Executive Director
KM:ca
PLANNING SCHEDULE
PROPOSED ALAMEDA NWR
Planning Step* Completion Date*
Planning Update 2 issued
Alameda NWR Draft
Comprehensive
Conservation Plan and
EA released
Public meeting
Comment period ends
Final Comprehensive
Conservation Plan and
EA released
Public notice of decision for
Alameda NWR
Nov. 1997
Mar. 1998
Apr. 1998
May 1998
July 1998
July 1998
* Unforeseen circumstances could cause
changes. We will keep you posted if any major
planning dates change.
PLANNING INFORMATION ON -LINE
Check out the new planning home page, now available
on the World Wide Web. We will offer electronic
versions of some of our planning documents, as well as
a glossary and some useful links. Please note that the
website address is not the one offered in the last
update. We apologize for any inconvenience this may
have caused.
WEBSITE ADDRESS
www.rl.fws.gov /planning/pinome.html
E -MAIL ADDRESS
rl planning_guest ®fws.gov
(Please type "Alameda NWR" in the subject line).
4
WHO TO CONTACT
Information on Proposed Alameda NWR
Management
Marge Kolar, Project Leader
San Francisco Bay NWR Complex
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 524
Newark, California 94560
(510) 792 -0222; fax (510) 792 -5828
Joelle Buffa, Wildlife Biologist
San Francisco Bay NWR Complex
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 524
Newark, California 94560
(510) 792 -0222; fax (510) 792 -5828
Information on Proposed Alameda NWR
Planning
Cathy Osugi, Wildlife Biologist
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
911 NE 11th Avenue, 3rd Floor West
Portland, Oregon 97232 -4181
(503) 231 -2231 or (800) 662 -8933
Fax (503) 231 -6161
Information on Alameda County Endangered
Species Issues
Jim Browning, Fish and Wildlife Biologist
Mike Thabault, Fish and Wildlife Biologist
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
3310 El Camino Avenue, Suite 130
Sacramento, California 95821 -6340
(916) 979 -2752; fax (916) 979 -2744
Information on Land Acquisition
Jackie Cumpton, Realty Specialist
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
2233 Watt Avenue, Suite 375
Sacramento, California 95825 -0509
(916) 979 -2085; fax (916) 979 -2092
January 28, 1998
The Honorable Congresswoman Ellen 0. Tauscher
House Committee on Transportation Infrastructure
1801 North California Boulevard, Suite 103
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Re: RE-AUTHORIZATION OF ISTEA - Request for $30 million in Discretionary
Funding for 1-880 Demonstration Prolect in Oakland
Dear Congresswoman Tauscher:
As Mayors of Oakland and Alameda we would appreciate your support of a $30
million federal discretionary allocation for Interstate 880 in Oakland. These
funds would finance access improvements to High Street and the Broadway/
Jackson ramps which serve the Cities of Oakland and Alameda. The proposed
improvements can be delivered within five years. They will enhance access to
Oakland's Fruitvale Transit Village, Oakland's City Center, Jack London
Square, and Chinatown as well as improve access to Alameda Point.
There is a unique, timely opportunity available to the Cities of Alameda and
Oakland to coordinate 1-880 access improvements with Caltrans' 1-880 and State
Route (SR) 61 seismic retrofit programs. By acting now we can optimize common
design elements, minimize disruptions associated with construction
activities, eliminate potential duplicity of effort, and provide a much
improved product for the commuting public.
The attached application form details the types of improvements envisioned.
The access improvements have been developed in coordination with Caltrans,
Alameda County Congestion Management Agency (CMA), the Spanish Speaking Unity
Council, Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority (ARRA), Port of Oakland,
Cities of Oakland and Alameda and BART. In addition to enhancing access, the
project addresses specific safety and navy base reuse and redevelopment
concerns within these areas which combined provide more than 16,000 employment
opportunities in our region.
We appreciate your efforts in obtaining funding for these critically needed
improvements on this vital transportation link.
Sincerely,
Elihu M. Harris Ralph J. Appezzato,
Mayor, City of Oakland Mayor, City of Alameda
RJA:gc
attachment
Co\ZIPICZWPWIMW108CSNAAre"\111101,1tA.WO
Correspondence
ALAMEDA REUSE AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Interim Leasing Status Report
Signed Leases and Licenses
Ise1- 98.xls
Page 1
Tenant
Term of
Occupancy
Building #
Occupied Bldg.
(Sq. Ft.)
1
ACET (Environmental Tech. Incubator)
long term
7
15,550
2
Alameda Point Storage (1200 Mini - storage Units)
long term
near Bldg. 530
-
3
Alameda Unified School District (Child Care Ctr.)
long term
258
12,430
4
Bay Ship & Yacht (Ship Repair)
long term
292
2,700
5
Bureau of Electricity (Storage Yard)
long term
at FISC
-
6
CALSTART (Electric Vehicle Consortium)
long term
20
66,000
7
City Garage Carstar (Vehicle Painting)
long term
24
12,927
8
City of Alameda (Gym and Pool)
long term
76 & 134
58,450
9
City of Alameda (Officers' Club)
long term
60
29,550
10
City of Alameda (Records Storage)
long term
397
17,000
11
City of Alameda (Soccer Field)
long term
Adjacent to Bldg. 360
-
12
Delphi Productions (Exhibit Displays)
long term
39
110,000
13
Forem Metal Mfg. (Sheet Metal Contractor)
long term
114
20,000
14
Giannotti (Ship Parts & Repair)
long term
113
13,150
15
Haviside & Heastings (Ship Repair)
long term
43
10,500
16
Interscope Communications (Film Co.)
5 months
portion of 11
50,000
17
Love Center Ministries
6 months
portion of 12
8,000
18
MARAD (Ready Reserve Fleet)
long term
Piers 1, 2,3
-
19
Mass Illusions (Film Co.)
5 months
portion of 11
10,000
20
Navigator Systems (Furniture Mfgr.)
long term
14
40,000
21
Nelson's Marine (Boat Repair)
long term
167 & finger piers
55,450
22
Piedmont Soccer Club
1 year
280,000 sq. ft. field
-
23
Polyethylene Products (Plastics Recycling)
long term
398
10,000
24
Puglia Engineering (Ship Repair)
long term
67
14,000
25
Quality Assured Products (Valve Mfgr.)
long term
21
66,000
26
Richard Miller Photography (Photography)
long term
621
5,770
27
Tower Aviation (Avionics)
long term
530
82,250
28
Trident 3M Services (Port Mgmt. /Maint.)
long term
15
16,603
Number of Properties Currently Occupied:
28
Building Space (sq. ft.) Currently Occupied:
747,330
Current Employment in Leased Buildings:
540
Projected Future Employment in Leased Buildings:
1,363
Ise1- 98.xls
Page 1
ALAMEDA REUSE AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Interim Leasing Status Report
Pending Leases and Licenses
Completed Licenses
1
Tenant
Building Number
Area (Sq. Ft.)
Interim Use
Permits
Approved
1
Antiques by the Bay (Swap Meet)
-
portion of taxiway H
Area 51 Productions (Event Production Co.)
2
Area 51 Productions (Auto Mfg. Marketing Mtg.)
5A
150,000
Spike & Pitch Park
3
Cellular One (Antenna Site)
-
60' x 20'
-
4
City of Alameda (Ferry Terminal Parking)
-
parking lot
X
5
Delaco Builders (Cabinetry)
44
5,100
Disney Studios (Film Co.)
6
Door Christian Fellowship Church
564
8,600
Portions of 24 & 25
7
Dynamic Marine Boatworks (Boat Production)
166
55,000
X
8
Forty Plus (Career Counseling)
90
4,500
X
9
FOSS Environmental Services
13
34,540
Interscope Communications (Film Co.)
10
Harbor Bay Maritime (Storage)
Pier 1 North
200'
pool
11
Housing Units (31 units in West Housing)
-
n/a
X
12
Integrated Technology Group (Computer Rebuild)
66
30,900
17
13
MARAD
168
117,419
X
14
Mass Illusions (Film Company)
19
23,706
15
NorCal Soccer (Dome)
near Piers
-
16
San Francisco Drydock (Office Trailers)
Near Pier 3
-
17
Sigi, Inc. (Crepe Mfg.)
42
3,000
X
18
Solo Energy Corp. (Prototype Testing)
12 & 22
176,108
19
United States Customs Service
29
19,480
20
USS Hornet Foundation
Pier 3
-
21
Zebra Motors, Inc. (Electric Vehicles)
23
65,500
Completed Licenses
1
Acad. of Model Aeronautics (Model Planes)
portion of Runway 25
-
2
Alameda Recycling Co. (Storage)
Bay 2/Bldg. 24
21,000
3
Area 51 Productions (Event Production Co.)
portion of taxiway
-
4
Boy Scouts of America
Spike & Pitch Park
-
5
Chamber of Commerce /BOE (Inter. Trade Expo)
22
-
6
CINCPAC (Fleet Week '97)
Pier 3 South
-
7
Clubhouse Pictures (Film Co.)
25
-
8
Disney Studios (Film Co.)
24
-
9
Great Benefit Productions (Film Co.)
Portions of 24 & 25
-
10
Industrial Light and Magic (Film Co.)
400A
-
11
Industrial Light and Magic (Film Co.)
portion of taxiway
-
12
Interscope Communications (Film Co.)
11,12,400A
250,000
13
Interscope Communications (Film Co.)
2
-
14
Interscope Communications (Film Co.)
pool
-
15
Microsoft (Software Co.)
400A
-
16
Nadel Productions (Film Co.)
portion of taxiway
-
17
Off Duty Productions (Film Co.)
portion of roadway
-
18
Rysher Entertainment (Film Co.)
24
-
Ise1 -98x1s
Page 2
Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority
Alameda Point/NAS Alameda
950 W. Mall Square - Building 1
Alameda, CA 94501 -5012
Governing Body
Ralph Appezzato
Chair
Mayor, City of Alameda
Sandre R. Swanson
Vice -Chair
District Director for
Ronald V. Deilums
9th Congressional District
Wilma Chan
Supervisor, District 3
Alameda County Board
of Supervisors
Henry Chang, Jr.
Oakland Councilmember
serving for
EIihu Harris
Mayor, City of Oakland
Ellen M. Corbett
Mayor
City of San Leandro
Tony Daysog
Councilmember
City of Alameda
Albert H. DeWitt
Councilmember
City of Alameda .
Barbara Kerr
Councilmember
City of Alameda
Karin Lucas
Councilmember
City of Alameda
Kay Miller
Executive Director
January 12, 1998
Ronald T. Reuther, Executive Director
Western Aerospace Museum
8260 Boeing Street
North Field, Oakland International Airport
Oakland, CA 94614
Dear Ron:
(510) 864-3400
Fax: (510) 521 -3764
I have discussed your proposed time frame for submission of your business plan for
Hanger 41 with ARRA Staff and the BRAG Museum Task Force Chair Lee Perez.
We believe that we can accept your time line for submittal of your plan by mid
March. As you are aware there is other interest in the hanger and we do not want
to delay a decision on the museum any longer than necessary. However, we
recognize that your business plan has been affected by the decision not to operate
a limited use airfield.
Please stay in touch with me and we will plan to schedule a Task Force meeting for
late in March after we have received your plan. Meantime, good luck on some of
your fundraising efforts.
Sincerely,
Kay Miller
Executive Director
KM:ca
cc: ARRA. Board
BRAG
Lee Perez, BRAG Chair
Ed Levine
C: \COLLEEN \KAY \RELIT} IERAV AM
WESTERN AEROSPACE MUSEUM
P.O. BOX 14264 8260 BOEING STREET
NORTH FIELD, OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, OAKLAND, CA 94614
(510) 638 -7100 FAX (510) 638 -6530
DEC 2 9 1997
CITY Of ALAMEDA
Kaye Miller
Executive Director
Alameda Reuse axed Redevelopment Authority
9.50 West Mali Square, Building 1
Alameda, CA 94501
Dear Kay:
27 December 1998
This letter is to inform you that we, The Alameda Naval Air and
Western Aerospace Museum, intend to submit our business plan,
Step II, for the acquisition of Hangar 41 about the middle of March,
1998.
Sincerely,
Ronald T. Reuther
Exec uAive Director
Western A-ro �Suseuii�
cc: Barbara Bate, Pr :silent, Alameda Naval Air Museum
Terry L. Howell, President, Western Aerospace Museum
SAN FRANCISCO BAY CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Thirty Van Ness Avenue • Suite 2011 • San Francisco, California 94102 • (415) 557 -3686 • FAX: (415) 557 -3767
Public notice
RECD:
JAN. 2
AR
CITY OF,
: V D
1998
A
LLAMFDA
6
January 23, 1998
NOTICE OF FEDERAL CONCURRENCE
ON A PROGRAM CHANGE
San Francisco Bay Plan and Bay Area Seaport Plan Amendment
Concerning Deletion of Port Priority Use Designation
at the Former Alameda Naval Air Station
NOTICE is hereby given that on January 5, 1998, the federal office of Ocean and Coastal
Resource Management (OCRM) informed the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development
Commission that OCRM concurred that the amendment to the San Francisco Bay Plan and San
Francisco Bay Area Seaport Pfan deleting the port priority use designation at the former Alameda
Naval Air Station constitutes a "routine program change" of the Commission's federally- approved
coastal management program for the San Francisco Bay segment of the California coastal zone.
Notification was provided on December 5, 1997 that the Commission was requesting OCRM's
concurrence that this revision constitutes a routine program change and that comments on the
request could be sent to OCRM.
Federal consistency will apply to this change as of January 23, 1998 pursuant to 15 CFR
923.84(b)(4). Further information may be obtained by contacting Jeffry Blanchfield or Linda
Scourtis at the Commission's office.
bcdc
dedicated to making San Francisco Bay better
Leora R. Feeney
Friends of the Alameda Wildlife Refuge
1330 Eighth Street
Alameda, CA 94501
January 27, 1998
Members of the Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority
Alameda Point
950 West Mall Square, Bldg One
Alameda, CA 94501
Honorable Members of Alameda Reuse and Redevelpment Authority:
Friends of the Alameda Wildlife Refuge (FAWR), a committee of Golden Gate Audubon
Society (GGAS), celebrated its first year anniversary last November. We want to share
with you some of the accomplishments that have taken place since November of 1996,
and some of our goals for the coming year.
We have met monthly during the last year hoping to assist in easing the transition of
future refuge properties from U.S. Navy management to U.S. Fish and Wildlife
management. In May of 1997, with the cooperation of the College of Alameda and two
of their instructors, we held a day -long class to train docents for supervised field trips
during the summer months. The class had 50 people enrolled which far exceeded our
expectations. We currently have a group of over 70 individuals who are showing
enthusiastic willingness to volunteer in one way or another at Alameda's new wildlife
refuge.
We have provided research and information regarding refuge related issues, such as the
feral and abandoned cat problems at Alameda Point.
GGAS in late 1996 set aside $25,000 for the refuge, as an initial effort to show their
commitment to this project. In August of 1997 GGAS extended its financial commitment
to an additional $20,000 per year for five years to begin the development of a strong
fmancial foundation for an Audubon Center for natural history interpretation and other
community activities. Thus, total of $125,000 has been allocated for this Alameda
project, the largest financial commitment in the history of GGAS.
We have undertaken, in partnership with the National Audubon Society, the goal of
establishing an Audubon Center at Alameda Point.
We have met several times with the West Alameda Business Association and feel
optimistic about their support for a successful wildlife interpretive center at the wildlife
refuge.
In 1998 we are hoping to finally establish docent led walks at least twice monthly on
those parts of the refuge which will have a minimal disturbance to wildlife. In November
we held one walk authorized by the Navy, and with less than a week's notice had 22
people show up in the rain! Fortunately, the weather changed for a dramatic, glorious
day. We all had good looks at a peregrine falcon, harbor seals, many ducks, red -tail
hawks calling and more. It was wonderful.
We have an architect, Mr. Gary Gray, that is willing to investigate the Tower (Building
19) to see if it is feasible to upgrade the structure to a public building while maintaining
its historic status. We see portions of this building as a valuable reminder of the past and
a superb location for an Audubon Center, along with other shared uses. Mr. Gray will
provide us with his opinion on the feasibility of using the building for public activities
(creating access for the handicapped and making it earthquake safe). In order to do this
he would require copies of the available plans and access to the tower for a couple of
hours.
To support docent visits to the refuge, FAWR is developing an educational program
featuring refuge resources to be available to classrooms and groups. We anticipate
assistance from experienced educators from the Oakland Museum, the College of
Alameda, Richardson Bay and other locations. This is an exciting project and should
enhance educational opportunities for Alameda and nearby cities considerably.
The necessarily slow process of transition has been frustrating for all of us. There is
much work to be done and inevitable risks to bear all around. Responsibilities for
cleanup and economic viability appear much too challenging. We at FAWR are aware
and have compassion for issues that face the ARRA and the Bay, Area with base closures.
But, in addition, we who have worked for decades with wildlife see not only high risks
for our urban wildlife populations, but the real and tragically potential loss of these
resources. We witness this all too often. There is tremendous community support to
embrace wildlife at Alameda Point and insure with determination that it survive. FAWR
continues to hope that we can all work together on all of these issues with trust and
cooperation to insure the best possible future for a healthy Alameda Point.
FAWR goals for 1998:
1. To establish docent led walks with the approval of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
the Navy.
2. To investigate the feasibility of the Tower (Bldg. 19) as a natural history
interpretive /community center for public use.
3. To create educational programs for classroom and group use relating to the natural
resources of Alameda's National Wildlife Refuge.
2
4. To continue meeting with National Audubon toward a partnership in an Audubon
Center at Alameda Point.
Any assistance that the ARRA can provide for these goals would be very much
appreciated.
There is much work to be done at Alameda Point, and we want very much to participate
in the creation of one of Alameda's proudest assets, a one -of -a -kind urban wildlife
refuge. I am hoping so much that 1998 will allow us to work together on creating a new
and vital Alameda Point.
cc Debey Zito, GGAS
3
Sincerely,
Leora R. Feeney
FAWR Chair