ARRA Resolution 50ALAMEDA REUSE AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
RESOLUTION NO. 50
SUPPORTING THE UNITED STATES NAVY'S TRANSFER OF 549 ACRES OF
FORMER NAVAL AIR STATION IN THE CITY OF ALAMEDA TO THE UNITED
STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT
OF AN OUT-PATIENT CLINIC AND COLUMBARIUM
Whereas , the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) seeks to
obtain 549 acres of former Alameda Naval Air Station (NAS Alameda) property in
the City of Alameda under the Base Realignment and Closure Act from the
United States Navy (Navy) for the construction and operation a 158 000 square-
foot out-patient clinic for veterans (OPC) and a 70-acre Columbarium to entomb
cremations of America s veterans (VA Project); and
Whereas , the VA's mission is to care for and serve all veterans of the
United States military services , Including those that reside in the City of Alameda
and in the greater San Francisco Bay Area; and
Whereas , the VA Project will consolidate a broad range of services for
veterans at a single site at the former NAS Alameda Point to help ensure the
provision of effcient and effective health care services for veterans; and
Whereas , there are over 51 ,000 veterans that reside in the County of
Alameda , of which approximately 7 000 are expected to seek much-needed
health care at the OPC; and
Whereas , there are 310 000 veterans living in the San Francisco Bay Area
that will create a significant future need for land for internment to be provided by
the VA's National Cemetery Administration at the proposed Columbarium; and
Whereas , the VA Project will create local construction and permanent jobs
and have a positive impact on local businesses and City of Alameda revenues;
and
Whereas , the City of Alameda will work closely with the VA to integrate the
VA Project into the future planning and redevelopment of the remainder of the
former NAS Alameda property and into the larger Alameda community; and
Whereas , the VA Project will pay homage to the military history of NAS
Alameda , including to the veterans who served at the former Navy base; and
Whereas , the VA and Navy held public meetings regarding the VA Project
to allow local citizens and other community stakeholders to participate in the
planning of the OPC and Columbarium in accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act and other federal review processes; and
Whereas , the VA , Navy, and United States Fish and Wildlife Service are
consulting according to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act to establish
protective measures for the endangered species , the California Least Terns , at
the former NAS Alameda property on a portion of the proposed VA property; and
Whereas , the City of Alameda will continue to prioritize the protection and
conservation of the California Least Tern in its planning documents and
decisions; and
Whereas , in December 2008 , January 2009 and September 2010 public
presentations were made regarding the VA project.
NOW , THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , that based upon testimony and
information presented to ARRA and the Alameda community on several
occasions , the ARRA supports the VA Project and believes it is in the best
interest of the City of Alameda.
the undersigned , hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly
and regularly adopted and passed by the Governing Board of the Alameda
Reuse and Redevelopment Authority in Special meeting assembled on the 1 st
day of September , 2010 , by the following vote to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
IN WITNESS , WHEREOF , I have hereunto set my hand and affxed the
offcial seal of the said Authority this 1 st day of September , 2010.
~~~
Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority