Get to the Alameda Point

Tonight, if you are interested in weighing in, the City Council will be voting on whether to give the thumbs up to the VA to encroach on a portion of the Northwest Territories for the clinic and columbarium.  It’s a pretty big deal if you are worried about

1. the loss of open space via the Northwest Territories
2. the possibility of a ton of extra traffic via the staff and Veterans who will use the clinic
3. the ick factor of the “cemetery”
4. you hate all development

If none of these concern you then proceed as normal.

FYI in case you were wondering how Veterans without cars will make their way out to Alameda Point, there is the Ferry which has the possibility of short hops from Oakland’s Jack London Square to Alameda.   Also, there is some reference to a shuttle from the 12th Street Bart Station with one hour headways so essentially any user will have to time their visit very precisely to not miss that shuttle.

Of course a better idea would be for the VA to partner with the Estuary Crossing Shuttle to have an alternate stop closer to the VA, but yes, public transportation to the site will be trickier.

The thing that the City really wants you to dwell on is the fact that the VA will contribute some money toward infrastructure which will “save” the City money on infrastructure, but they may lose out on fees from events that were held out on the Northwest Territories, probably all those autocross events.   But those were few and far between anyway.

Hey, by the way, speaking of traffic, I’m not sure if there was an accident in the Tube on Sunday or if the Alameda Point Antique Faire was particularly awesome this year but traffic was backed up pretty badly on all the access roads (Webster and Stargell) toward the Tube.

And in more Alameda Point news, Alameda has just signed up another America’s Cup team to base itself in Alameda.  Luna Rossa Challenge 2013, representing the Circolo della Vela Sicilia Yacht Club and, wait for it ladies…is sponsored by Prada aka Team Italy will be leasing one of the airplane hangars for the next seven months.    So Team Italy will join Team Sweden (Artemis Racing) in Alameda.   Interestingly enough on tonight’s agenda the City Council will vote on whether or not to re-up Team Sweden’s lease — it’s a given that they will so no drama there.   Perhaps Team Oracle (Team USA) being caught spying on Team Italy last December may be the reason that they are eager for a not San Francisco base.