City Council adopts Vision-Zero policy at Nov. 5 meeting

Up to 100 people took part in an “Alameda School Zone Safety Rally” at City Hall Nov. 5. Love Elementary School’s PTA joined with other schools, PTAs and student advocates from across the Island for the rally just before the City Council meeting. The group spoke to the Council and city staff, “so that these safety issues are addressed immediately to make our streets safe for students and to prevent further accidents.”

The City of Alameda recently disclosed that it is not going to proceed with the preparation of an environmental impact report on the Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient and columbarium project at Alameda Point, as previously announced in February. 

A town hall meeting where veterans can learn about benefits and services available to them takes place Thursday, Nov. 7,  from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Alameda Veterans Building, 2203 Central Ave. The town hall will be preceded by a women veterans’ mixer at 2:30 p.m.

Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft,  along with representatives from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Women Veterans Alliance will host the gathering, which is open to all veterans, active-duty service members and their families.

On Nov. 7, 2017, City Council adopted the Cannabis Businesses ordinance. This ordinance became effective Dec. 21, 2017. The City Council also adopted an ordinance to amend the Alameda Municipal Code, repealing the prohibition on cannabis business activities and specifying the zones where certain types of cannabis businesses may locate. This ordinance became effective Jan. 18, 2018. 

When it comes to Halloween, Alameda has a great sense of humor. The Island has been preparing for the hordes of young ghosts and goblins to descend on the city Thursday night, some developing elaborate, decorative displays to convey their enthusiasm for the macabre holiday. A resident on Grand Street, above, will likely host hundreds of trick-or-treaters and chose to invoke psychedelic rockers The Grateful Dead with their display. Other Alamedans have set up a haunted carnival, a scene from Disney’s Fantasia, glowing ghouls and more.

Planning Board approves 354 units at Alameda Landing

At its Monday, Oct. 14 meeting, the Planning Board gave its unanimous nod to development plans for Alameda Landing. This vote gives Catellus Development Corp., Alameda Landing’s master developer, to proceed with plans that involve the construction of 354 residential units, and 5,000-square-feet of commercial space. This marks the last phase of the redevelopment and reuse of 17 of the 77-acre former Fleet Industrial Supply Center (FISC). Groundbreaking for this project lies at the yet-to-be determined date. 

Last Friday, the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) celebrated the memory of the late Niel Tam by naming the district office for him. The office at 2060 Challenger Drive now bears the name “Niel Tam Education Center.”

The City Council will vote on three options for the proposed Alameda Carnegie Library and Foster House restoration projects at its Tuesday, Oct. 15, meeting. The Council will vote whether to accept the lease terms and authorize a 33-year lease to the Carnegie Innovation Hall with a 33-year option to renew; direct staff to renegotiate terms of the tentative lease agreement; or direct staff to seek other prospective tenants. 

The fourth annual Alameda Bike for the Parks (AB4P) event took place Saturday, Sept. 28. This year’s event exceeded last year’s ride total with more than 600 local cyclists participating to raise money for Alameda parks.  

There were two ride options: an eight-mile kid’s ride and the 25-mile route around the perimeter of the city. Registration for the event began at 8 a.m. at Washington Park, 740 Central Ave. Both rides began at 9 a.m. and an after party was held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.