Title
Recommendation to Provide Direction on Naming the Park at Alameda Marina as Svendsen Maritime Park Based on the Background Investigation Report. (Recreation 10051400)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The park at Alameda Marina is being built by a private developer and is not yet open to the public. This park will serve new and existing Alameda Marina residents as well as the broader community but will be privately maintained, not by the City of Alameda (City). The Recreation and Parks Commission (Commission) followed the four-step process detailed in the City Facilities and Street Naming Policy (Naming Policy), which included holding public discussions at three Commission meetings and administering two community-wide surveys. The Commission recommended two names for City Council to consider: Svendsen Maritime Park or Riveter’s Waterfront Park. On January 3, 2023, City Council directed staff to conduct additional background research on Svend Svendsen and return for name consideration for the park. This investigative research did not yield any issues of concern regarding Svend Svendsen and staff is seeking direction on next steps or approval on a final name for the park at Alameda Marina.
BACKGROUND
In October 2021, City Council updated the Naming Policy, with the goal to broaden the naming criteria, allow for greater diversity, equity and inclusion, and increase community input. As a result, standing criteria are written into the Naming Policy stating that names should reflect diversity, equity and inclusion to intentionally broaden the representation of people in the community.
The Naming Policy outlines a four-step public process that entails three public meetings with the Commission, two community input surveys, a Commission recommendation to City Council with the final step being City Council’s approval of a facility name.
On December 9, 2021, the Commission received a presentation describing the Park’s location, background and identifying features. The Commission approved the naming criteria for this park as “Reflection and history of working waterfront shipyards.”
Staff then conducted a community-wide survey to solicit name ideas for the park based on the established criteria. During the public outreach, efforts were made to reach a broad and diverse representation of the Alameda community.
On March 10, 2022, the Commission reviewed the entire list of names generated from the survey as well as previously created park name lists and the shorter list of names that met the established Naming Policy criteria. The Commission then approved the list of ten park names provided below and a second community wide survey was conducted to solicit feedback on this list.
The ten park names are listed below in alphabetical order. A brief explanation is provided for names that may not be self-evident.
• Alameda Boatworks Park - Name based on Svendsen’s Boat Works and Marine, however Alameda Boatworks is a residential development located east of the park.
• Dockside Park
• Riveter’s Waterfront Park - For Rosie the Riveter, a symbol of WWII representing women who worked in factories and shipyards
• Shipbuilder’s Park
• Shipyard Harbor Park
• Shipyard Landing Park
• Tibbitt’s Shipyard Park - Barnes & Tibbitts was a shipbuilding company based at this location
• Waterfront Park
• Waterway Park
As part of its July 14, 2022 meeting, the Commission received a request from Svend Svendsen’s family that the park be named after him due to his long maritime history at the site. While this name was not included in the list of names created through the Naming Policy community process, the Commission unanimously recommended two names to City Council: Svendsen Maritime Park and Riveter’s Waterfront Park.
On January 3, 2023, City Council directed staff to conduct historical and background research on Svend Svendson and to return to City Council for consideration and potential approval of a name for the park at Alameda Marina.
The Naming Policy includes the following requirements:
• A focus on local Alameda significance but may reflect California or a national lens as appropriate.
• A person must be deceased for at least three years to be considered.
• Names must reflect values of inclusivity and diversity.
DISCUSSION
The Alameda Marina development is located on the Alameda/Oakland Estuary between Grand Street and Willow Street along the Alameda Northern Waterfront. The developer is constructing a park that will be open to the public but will be privately maintained, not maintained or managed by the City. The park will include continuation and realignment of the San Francisco Bay Trail, open lawn areas, waterfront promenade, seating and picnic areas, and a long floating dock to launch, store and instruct on non-motorized watercraft such as kayaks, small sailboats, and paddleboards.
On January 3, 2023, staff recommended two names to City Council: Svendsen Maritime Park and Riveter’s Waterfront Park. Per the Naming Policy and City Council direction, further historical and background research was required to vet the Svendsen name since it is the name of a specific person. Staff contracted with Cooke and Associates to conduct a background investigation and issue a report (Exhibit 1). The background investigation included research on family history, legal history (civil and criminal), demonstration of bias, political affiliations, media reports and social media presence. Overall, the investigation determined that there was a relatively small amount of public information on Sven Svendsen’s personal life and the majority of information was about his maritime business. The investigation did not yield any negative information and concluded there were no negative impacts with naming a park facility after Svend Svendsen.
ALTERNATIVES
• Adopt Svendsen Maritime Park as the name for the new park at Alameda Marina.
• Direct staff to conduct additional public engagement based on the original list of the top ten park names received during the community input process conducted in 2022 for this park with the addition of the Svendsen Maritime Park name as well as the names of specific women recommended by Alameda Museum as having historical impact in Alameda, especially in regards to the Navy and Alameda Point. This is an abbreviated process from the entire Naming Policy process and would include conducting a public survey with this short list of names and a public discussion with the Recreation and Parks Commission who would then make a park name recommendation to City Council from this revised list.
• Direct staff to start the Naming Policy process from the beginning. This would have a significant impact on staff resources and would require changing priorities of projects included in the city FY 2023-26 Strategic Plan.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact from naming this park. The basic signage for the park is funded by the developer responsible for building the park and will be updated with the final approved name. Should City Council require historical interpretive signage about Svend Svendsen be included in the park, the financial impact will be between $15,000 and $25,000.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
The 2023-2026 Strategic plan identifies the Marina Park Naming under the strategic priority “Enhance community Safety and Services” project CS15. The process for naming the park has followed the City Facilities and Street Naming Policy.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301, Existing Facilities, as a minor alteration of an existing public facility.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Provide direction on naming the park at Alameda Marina as Svendsen Maritime Park based on the background investigation report. (Recreation 10051400)
Respectfully submitted,
Justin Long, Director of Recreation and Parks
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Margaret O’Brien, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Svend Svendsen Background Investigation Report