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ALAMEDA -- Taking ownership of Alameda Point from the U.S. Navy and a deal with the California State Lands Commission that sets the stage for the creation of a public trust along the former base's waterfront were among the achievements that Mayor Marie Gilmore highlighted Tuesday during her annual "State of the City" address.

The decision by the Navy to drop the $108 million price tag for Alameda Point -- hailed as a milestone by city officials when it was announced in September 2011 -- is expected to help jump-start redevelopment, especially as the city begins taking actual ownership of the former Navy base within the next few months.

"We expect to get the deeds for 80 percent of the property in the March-to-June time frame," Gilmore told city department chiefs and others who were on hand for her talk during Tuesday's City Council meeting.