Excerpt:

Nevertheless, more than two decades after the closure of the Alameda Naval Air Station and almost five years since the Navy conveyed Alameda Point to the city for $1, development of the prime coastal property has moved at a glacial pace — in part, due to the crumbling infrastructure. The city’s master plan for Alameda Point lays out $600 million in infrastructure upgrades, including $21 million for drinking water improvements, said Garland. But part of the grand pitch in 2003 for development was a policy of fiscal neutrality that, in effect, said potential developers at Alameda Point would foot the bill for infrastructure improvements — not taxpayers. Using some of the proceeds from the proposed ballot measure would run the risk of violating this pact with Alameda residents, said Councilmember Jim Oddie (as did Vella).