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2001-07-19 ARRA MinutesAPPROVED MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ALAMEDA REUSE AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Thursday, July 19, 2001 1. ROLL CALL The meeting convened at 5:40 p.m. with Chair Appezzato presiding. Present: Ralph Appezzato, Mayor, City of Alameda Beverly Johnson, Councilmember, City of Alameda Barbara Kerr, Councilmember, City of Alameda Tony Daysog, Councilmember, City of Alameda Albert DeWitt, Councilmember, City of Alameda 2. ACTION ITEMS Report from the Development Services Director regarding the Master Developer presentations. 3 -C Chair Appezzato announced that the Master Developer candidates would each make 20- minute presentations and that their presentation order had been selected at random prior to the meeting: Catellus Development Corporation, Alameda Point Community Partners /Shea Homes, and Harbor Bay /Lennar LLC. Development Services Director Doug Yount explained that these presentations are an additional opportunity for the candidates to present their proposals to the community and the ARRA Board and respond to any questions (there have already been some community forums). On August 9, 2001, the Master Developer Selection Team will return to the ARRA with their recommended selection. Catellus was represented by Nelson Rising, Chairman and CEO. He emphasized the advantage of Catellus being a single entity; i.e., they have the financial resources to complete the entire project, have experience in all areas of commercial, retail and residential development, and are governed by a single board of directors. He then introduced Peter Lauener and Dan Marcus, both of whom are already involved in the FISC development and will be working on the Webster Street redevelopment. They pointed out that Catellus has already held several community forums and received valuable feedback about all areas of the development. Catellus is also involved with several volunteer organizations in the City, as well as the West Alameda Business Association. They envision a seamless integration of Alameda Point into the community. -1- They have also analyzed the Tidelands Trust, existing leases, and the historic district restrictions. In addition, they have met with The Collaborative and Renewed Hope regarding housing needs. They understand the requirements for early transfer and soil remediation, as well as the necessity for infrastructure improvements. Thom Gamble represented Alameda Point Community Partners /Shea Homes. They presented a video outlining their vision of Alameda Point. Eric Kaplan reiterated further strengths and the Gondola as a major means of transportation to and from the Island. Stuart Lichter gave a verbal presentation to the Governing Body, outlining the details of APCP strategy for the early conveyance and environmental cleanup issues. Harbor Bay/Lennar was represented by Tim Hoppen who emphasized Harbor Bay has all of the financial resources to carry out the fill development of the former Naval Air Station and is familiar with the concerns of Alameda as they have developed Harbor Bay Business Park and other areas of Alameda. Kevin Hanson presented to the Governing Body the BART layout for Alameda Point. He presented visuals which outlined the timeline of a using as potential method of transportation to and from the Island. Public Comment: Kate Berenson felt that Catellus should be selected because they have many years' experience and have been involved in the community already. Donald Lindsay is president of Gallagher & Lindsay, realtors and property managers at Alameda Point. He and his wife have lived at Alameda Point for three years. They recommend Harbor Bay /Lennar because of their successful development at Harbor Bay and previous experience with military base conversions. Don Patterson recommended that Harbor Bay /Lennar be selected because of their experience with developing Harbor Bay and their emphasis on commercial development, which would increase Alameda's tax base. Irene Dieter endorsed Alameda Point Community Partners because they would bring increased diversity and multiple visions while working in cooperation with Catellus' development of the FISC property. Thomas Jordan represented the Community of Harbor Bay Isle, who recommended Harbor Bay /Lennar because of their successful development at Harbor Bay. Gerald Lutz, CEO of the USS Hornet Museum, pointed out the improvements necessary to filly take advantage of the tourism potential at Alameda Point and indicated the Hornet's interest in working with whichever developer is selected. Bill Smith stressed the importance of energy and transportation solutions in the development of Alameda Point. -2- Rosemary Reilly works with seniors in Alameda, who have concerns about affordable housing with nearby transportation access. She urged the developers to pay close attention to this need in their plans. Judy Goff Roveda & Barry Luboviski represented the Building & Trades Council of Alameda County and AFL -CIO and recommended Catellus because they already have a successful working relationship established with the labor unions. Mike Dunlap represented the operating engineers union and encouraged the three developers to work with labor. Neil Garcia - Sinclair lives and operates a business at Alameda Point. He expressed concern about the transportation needs for the entire island, not just Alameda Point, and encouraged development of a light rail system. Barbara Kahn endorsed Catellus because of their ongoing community interaction in the FISC development process. Bertram Harris recommended Catellus because of their previous development experience in the Bay Area and their community involvement. Marilyn York of the Alameda Naval Air Museum asked the developers to preserve the historical sections of Alameda Point, to support existing lease agreements, and to encourage tourism. Bonnie Crowe recommended Catellus because of their plan to integrate Alameda Point into the City. Sara Baldi endorsed Catellus because of their interaction with the community and their plan to link Webster and Park Streets via a light rail system. Beverly Thruston expressed concerns about the integration of Alameda Point into the City. She feels there should be a local small business participation requirement included in the developer's agreement in order to preserve the community vision. Linda Nguyen represented the HOME Project and stressed the importance of incorporating quality of life issues in the development plan. The HOME Project endorses Catellus because of their voluntary assistance to HOME and the vision of their plan. Kurt Bohan expressed concern that the presentations were not specific enough and more information is needed before a decision can be made. Peter Lenhardt pointed out that the development of Alameda Point will affect all areas of Alameda — transportation, energy use, housing, infrastructure, etc., and encouraged the developers to consider solar panels on new constriction and other energy- saving options. Chair Appezzato closed the public comment period and requested feedback from the Board members. -3- Member Daysog stressed the regional and long -term impacts of developing Alameda Point. The most important issues to be addressed are transit, education, fiscal benefits, and housing. He would like additional information about transit alternatives, housing /transit compatibilities, school requirements, commercial development vis -a -vis increased tax basis, senior housing, and long -term community input. Member Kerr pointed out that the current transit plan for the City limits new development to a small increase in the Tube capacity. She is interested in the developers' plans for alternative transportation to Alameda Point which bypasses the Tube entirely. Access to the former Belt Line for light rail may be limited by other redevelopment plans currently in place. She would also like some other architectural style than pink and orange stucco, which dominates current designs. She also had questions for the developers about the allotment of land for recreation use, the development of the Big Whites, and how the development would be financed, including what percentage of return on their investment the developers expect to receive. Member Johnson inquired how the developers plan to work with the Hornet and Naval Air Museum, whether the "transportation hub" would incorporate the ferry service, how the historic character would be preserved, how the early transfer process will work (including how much cleanup will be done prior to the transfer), what the timeline would be for BART service to the area, and a comparison of what revenue would be generated by each developer's proposal. She stressed the importance of cooperating with The Collaborative in developing the housing areas. Member DeWitt felt that he needed more information from each of the developers regarding their general "vision" of the development, since this is such a large and long -term project. He expressed concern that Alameda Point Community Partners is already in the process of developing several former military bases and may not have the financial resources to fiind this project. He also questioned how the developers would manage the project. He emphasized again the importance of community involvement and soliciting citizen input in the development process. He also questioned whether other City boards and commissions will be making their own recommendations for the selection of the master developer. Doug Yount confirmed that the Master Developer Selection Team consists of representatives from several community groups; however, the Team will only make a recommendation, and the ARRA Board will make the final selection. Chair Appezzato advised that there are already plans by the MTC for BART service to Alameda, including two tubes under the estuary and two stations. He also indicated that all three developers have already done projects in Alameda which may be viewed. He stressed that the development of Alameda Point must complement and blend in with the rest of the City and take into consideration the geographic constraints of an island city. Chair Appezzato thanked all of the presenters and suggested it may be worthwhile for them to come before the Board again with responses to the questions and concerns expressed by the Board members. 3. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON - AGENDA ITEMS None. 4. ADJOURNMENT Chair Appezzato adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Respectfidly submitted, Lucretia Akil ARRA Secretary -5-