In order to be best prepared to lead efforts for what comes next for Alameda Point, I’ve been visiting closed military bases and speaking with people involved in base re-use. So far, I’ve been to El Toro MCAS (City of Irvine), Hamilton AFB (City of Novato) and Fort Ord (Cities of Marina, Monterey, Salinas, Seaside and Del Rey and County of Monterey). While Alameda is unique and many of the efforts or approaches taken at these bases are not applicable to Alameda, there are aspects worth our attention and consideration.

El Toro –

Irvine is promoting their portion of this former base as a destination, including many activities to attract local residents to come to the base which is being developed as “The Great Orange Park.” Bringing people increases interest and support for future development. Other key activities included a demonstration garden for urban agriculture and a large tree farm to supply large trees for urban use.

Development of the Great Orange Park was funded by sale of portions of El Toro by Irvine. The Park Developer is a non-profit local development corporation, which included members of the City Council and operated for the benefit of the community. This is a model that is worth exploring for Alameda.

Hamilton –

Seven of Hamilton’s nine hangars have been restored and re-used for a public library, a YMCA and private commercial uses. Two hangars have been restored and are used by the Coast Guard. Consideration of use of an Alameda Hangar and/or buildings by the Marine-Naval Reserve unit might be considered along with a land swap with the current location. This would provide the military with larger and more securable location and with a use honoring the Base’s history, while getting a value for waterfront land at their current location.

The old runways are being removed for wetlands restoration and a levee has been put in place between the future wetlands and low lying portions for the new development. Wetland restoration at the far end of Alameda Point should be considered as way of protecting the weather end of the Island, providing a superior habitat for Bay wildlife, acting as a cleansing feature for run-off, and providing a natural “carbon sink.”

Ft. Ord –

Planning for Ft. Ord reuse included agreed upon principles regarding the level of reuse and recognition of constraints. Alameda re-use plans have had similar principles, so it would be useful to go back to those principles, validate them and measure plans to those principles.

With the principles in mind, an early planning tool for determining the number of residential units was to not exceed the population resident when the Fort was in operation. This common sense model could be applied to Alameda as we re-address the number of residential units which can be practically born by the City’s transportation infrastructure.