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The land around the lagoon will be built up over the next several years as a couple of large parks, a 500-acre federal wildlife habitat, housing, retail and a ferry building. Site A will initially have 800 new housing units, 200 for very low- to middle-income residents, and will grow to 1,425 units. When completed, there will be 600,000 square feet of commercial space on the old base.

"This is a completely unique opportunity," Alameda City Planner Andrew Thomas said. "There's nothing like the Seaplane Lagoon in the Bay Area. As Alameda residents, you should be thrilled."