Driving past the entrance to Corica Park, it’s impossible to miss the colorful mural covering the abandoned Fire Tower. What used to be an empty eyesore is now being transformed into a colorful addition to Alameda’s public art collection. The restoration project—which is slated to be completed soon—is fully funded by Greenway Golf Associates as part of the company’s 50-year Corica Park lease agreement with the City of Alameda.
The fire tower has not been used by the Alameda Fire Department since they left the site in the early 1990s. In 2021, after the tower sat unused for many years, Greenway Golf asked the City of Alameda to add the area to Corica Park and received permission to restore and maintain the site in 2021.
The restoration includes a large-scale mural designed to wrap all four sides of the tower, transforming it into a sculptural artwork. The site will be fully landscaped, turning the neglected site into a garden.
The site is visible from the street but is not open to the general public. The restoration project is currently focused on beautifying the tower and the site. Future phases, which may require additional permitting, according to Corica Park’s announcement, may potentially include opportunities for community use, in line with Greenway Golf’s mission of reimaging Corica Park as a sustainable open space for everyone.
The restoration is expected to be completed by mid-November.
Mural
The mural, which wraps all four sides of the building, is a deconstructed map of Alameda. The concept was created “to celebrate the rich history of Corica Park’s home city and to highlight the importance of place in creating a sense of belonging,” according to Corica’s statement about the project. “The modern, abstract representation invites viewers to interpret the artwork personally, exploring their individual and diverse connections to the community.”
The concept was developed by Local Edition Creative/Greenway Golf and approved by the City of Alameda’s Planning Board. The artist is John Horton.
Landscape
The sustainable landscape design for the area around the fire tower includes large trees that will contribute to reducing urban heat island effects, while native drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly plantings will foster water conservation and biodiversity. The site will be irrigated with the same nonpotable water that is used to water the golf course, ensuring responsible water resource management.
The original concept was developed by April Philips Design Works/Greenway Golf. The final design was created by Gardens by Marla Landscape Design, and approved by the City of Alameda’s Planning Board.
Project team
The landscape architect for the fire tower restoration project is April Philips Design Works, and the landscape designer is Gardens by Marla. Marla Lee is an Alameda-based landscape designer who specializes in water-wise, low-maintenance gardens and teaches native, pollinator, and edible gardening.
Construction is being handled by Creek Development, a design and construction management company based in Oakland.
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Maurice Ramirez is the official photographer for the City of Alameda. Reach him at [email protected]. His photography is collected at MauriceRamirez.com. His posts are collected at AlamedaPost.com/Maurice-Ramirez. All photos are ©2024 Maurice Ramirez.
