Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager, or Designee, to Partially Accept the Improvements Completed by Catellus Alameda Development, LLC, for Alameda Landing Waterfront Park, Phase 1 (Now Officially Named Bohol Circle Immigrant Park). The City previously certified a Final Environmental Impact Report for the Alameda Landing Mixed Use Development Project.
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15162 and 15163, none of the circumstances necessitating further CEQA review are present. (Public Works 31041520)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Catellus Alameda Development, LLC, has completed a portion of the 4.5 acre waterfront park located at the end of Fifth Street at Alameda Landing. The completed portion of the park represents the majority of the required improvements and is suitable for the enjoyment of the public. Staff is recommending that the City Council accept the Phase 1 partial improvements.
BACKGROUND
On December 3, 2013, the City Council established Community Facilities District No. 13-1 (Alameda Landing Public Improvements) to incur bonded indebtedness and levy special taxes and fees for public improvements for Alameda Landing. A portion of the public improvements include a public park.
On September 5, 2017, the City Council adopted an ordinance amending the Bayport/Alameda Landing Master Plan and Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The addendum allows for a 4.5-acre public park on the Alameda Landing waterfront.
On May 10, 2018, the Alameda Recreation and Parks Commission reviewed and commented on the initial conceptual park design provided by Catellus Alameda Development, LLC.
On June 25, 2018, the Planning Board reviewed the conceptual plans and provided a number of comments on the initial plan in addition to the issues raised by City of Alameda (City) staff in the report.
On July 9, 2018, the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) Design Review Board reviewed and commented on the same plans that were reviewed by the Planning Board.
Based upon all the comments received, the park design consultants at KayVictor, landscape architects, revised the proposed design plans for the park for Planning Board review and approval. The Planning Board approved the Alameda Landing Waterfront Plaza and Promenade Development Plan and Design Review on September 10, 2018.
On March 14, 2019, BCDC approved permit No. 2018.004.00 permitting Catellus to perform work within the 100-foot shoreline band.
On May 21, 2020, the City and Catellus Alameda Development, LLC, entered into a Right of Entry agreement that allowed for construction activities on the waterfront park.
On September 21, 2020, Catellus Alameda Development, LLC, submitted a Public Works Development (PWD) permit application and improvement plans for the “Alameda Landing Waterfront Park,” now known as Bohol Circle Immigrant Park. The permit (PWD20-0020) for the park was issued in May of 2021. Phase 1 of the improvements outlined in Exhibit 1 have been inspected by Public Works staff and deemed complete.
DISCUSSION
The Bohol Circle Immigrant Park located on the waterfront at Alameda Landing is directly across the estuary from Jack London Square and the Port of Oakland Howard Terminal. It provides views of the San Francisco Bay and Estuary. The public improvements associated with Bohol Circle Immigrant Park consists of two phases in accordance with the attached phasing exhibit (Exhibit 1).
Phase 1 of the park is substantially complete and open to the public. Phase 1 consists of the easternmost side of the park and includes a children’s playground, kayak storage, fish cleaning station, picnic area, and restrooms with outside shower facilities.
On November 7, 2022, Public Works staff performed a final inspection of Phase 1. The completed work is acceptable to the Public Works Department. A secure barrier shall be maintained at all times between the completed Phase 1 improvements and those still under construction (Phase 2).
ALTERNATIVES
• Accept the partial improvements completed by Catellus Alameda Development, LLC, for Bohol Circle Immigrant Park as recommended.
• Remand the project back to staff for further consideration and evaluation of the completed improvements.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The City will own, operate and maintain Phase 1 of the park. Funding for maintenance costs is included in the adopted Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget under the General Fund (Park Maintenance) and the Alameda Landing Municipal Services District (MSD), which is an assessment district on the Alameda Landing project that provides funds for public infrastructure and park maintenance at Alameda Landing.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
On December 5, 2006, the City Council certified the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Alameda Landing Mixed Use Development Project (a Supplement to the 2000 Catellus Mixed Use Development Project EIR) in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (State Clearinghouse #2006012091). The City has prepared several addenda to the 2006 SEIR.
On July 18, 2017, the City Council approved an Environmental Assessment of the Bayport/Alameda Landing Master Plan Amendment. The Environmental Assessment concluded that the Master Plan Amendment (provided that the traffic trip cap established by the Master Plan is maintained) would not generate any new, or substantially more severe, impacts than might be expected as compared to those identified in the 2006 SEIR.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Partially accept the improvements completed by Catellus Alameda Development, LLC, for the Bohol Circle Immigrant Park at Alameda Landing.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Vance, Acting Public Works Director
Amy Wooldridge, Acting Assistant City Manager
By,
Brendin Christolear, Senior Engineer
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Margaret L. O'Brien, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Phasing Exhibit
cc: Erin Smith, City Manage