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ALAMEDA -- After 16 years of push and pull with the federal government and other agencies, city and Navy officials gathered Monday at Alameda Point to sign off on phase one of conveyance of the former Naval Air Station property to the city.

About 200 people, many dodging a light, steady rainfall beneath canopies, applauded the speeches of accomplishment and gratitude for officials and citizens who participated in the years of efforts to make this happen.

"I'm grateful to everyone who made this day a reality," said Mayor Marie Gilmore. "When the base closed in 1997, we lost 14,000 jobs. We hope to create an extraordinary new community, not just for the city, but for the region and the state. We expect 9,000 permanent jobs and countless construction jobs and to generate millions of dollars in state and local tax revenues."