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Alameda Post’s Best of 2024

2024 was a big year of growth for the Alameda Post. It was also a busy news year. Below you’ll find some of the biggest, most interesting, and popular stories that we covered in 2024. Thank you for reading and supporting the work we do!

Alameda Post - an image of the Alameda mayor and Council seated at their meeting on January 2, which discussed the ceasefire letter
Councilmembers at the January 2 meeting. Still image from January 2, 2024, City Council meeting.

Local Government

Council Debate Over Mayor’s Ceasefire Letter Ends in Stalemate

The third floor City Hall chambers overflowed with passionate attendees on January 2 to discuss an official letter calling for ceasefire.

Cities Seek Additional Funding to Clean up Estuary

The Estuary is getting trashed as discarded drug needles, home appliances, and other hazardous materials litter the shores.



AEA Rallies for Better Pay, AUSD Responds

AUSD and the Alameda Education Association came to a tentative agreement after months of negotiation.

Council Approves Narrow Animal Testing Ban

City Council narrowly approved a ban on animal testing or experimentation on property owned or controlled by the City of Alameda, with some notable exceptions.

Alameda Post - a traffic jam and brake lights

Slow Streets, Public Transit, Major Tube Closures

The August 28 Transportation Commission meeting was packed full of project updates that affect Alameda transit.

Alameda Food Bank Supporters Rally to Oppose CEQA Lawsuit

In response to a recent controversial lawsuit, more than a hundred Alameda Food Bank supporters turned out for a protest at the September 17 City Council meeting.

The Post’s Election Coverage

We provided live election returns for national, state, regional, and City candidates, as well as measures on the ballot, up until the last race was called.

Crime and Safety

Alameda Belt Line Office Burns

AFD responded to a fire that caused extensive damage to the historic Alameda Belt Line office building.

Alameda County DA Files Criminal Charges in Mario Gonzalez Death

On April 18, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price filed charges against the Alameda Police officers involved in the death of Mario Gonzalez, reversing previous DA Nancy O’Malley’s decision.

Alameda Post - an Alameda Point sideshow. Bystanders watch excitedly and record cars that are performing in a large ring of people by the hangers
An Alameda Point sideshow on January 28, 2024. Still image from video by Richard Bangert.
How the City Is Preventing Sideshows and Plans to Step up Enforcement

On May 7, City Council received an update on the City’s approach to preventing and enforcing unpermitted sideshow events at Alameda Point.

Alameda Shooting Leaves Four Dead, Infant Fighting for Life

APD Chief Joshi reported that a father was arrested after killing his in-laws, wife, and 6-year-old son; his 1-year-old remained in critical condition (and later died).

APD Encampment Policies: Homelessness Is Not a Crime

After Governor Newson’s executive order directed state officials to start removing homeless encampments across the state, encampments in Oakland were cleared, and Alameda saw an increase of people in need of services.

Alameda Post - a City of Alameda Housing System Map including a complex web of housing barriers and solutions and services
City of Alameda Housing System Map. Image presented at the November 19, 2024 City Council meeting, Agenda #7-1, Exhibit 1: Progress Report.
Police Bodycam Footage Shows Intoxicated Trish Herrera-Spencer

Bodycam footage from the Long Beach Police Department showed Alameda City Councilmember Trish Herrera Spencer appearing to be intoxicated as she interacted with first responders outside the League of Cities Conference before she was hospitalized.

Self-Defense Classes Offered Following Trump Victory

Self-defense instructor Edwina Phillips is hosting free, two-hour seminars for “anyone who wants to feel safer.”

Comings and Goings

WABA Executive Director Linda Asbury Retires

After more than seven years as West Alameda Business Association Executive Director, Linda Asbury passed the torch to Elissa Glickman.

FAAS Executive Director John L. Lipp to Retire in June 2025

FAAS Executive Director John L. Lipp penned a heartfelt letter to the community announcing his impending retirement.

College of Alameda Welcomes Gary Payton & Coaching Staff

The College of Alameda proudly announced their new men’s basketball coach, Hall of Famer Gary Payton.

Stitches, Pots, and Denim Spark Crafty Renaissance on Webster Street

A craft renaissance is taking place on Webster Street with the 2024 opening of three new businesses owned and operated by Alameda residents: Coven of Stitches, Alameda Pots, and Arkea Tailor Shop.

Alameda Post - New Jolibee Alameda location opened on October 11, 2024
New Jolibee Alameda location grand opening. Photo Jean Chen
Jollibee Opening Brings Joy to Alameda Landing

Big crowds greeted the opening of the Jollibee Alameda location, satisfying cravings for Filipino fried chicken and other dishes.

Alameda Food Bank Breaks Ground on New Alameda Point Facility

Alameda Food Bank staff and supporters gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Food Bank’s new permanent facility.

Alameda Point Collaborative’s Doug Biggs Retiring

After 20 years serving the community as APC’s Executive Director, Doug Biggs is stepping back.

Business and Real Estate

Pagano’s Closing Central Avenue Location

Pagano’s Hardware, an Alameda tradition for over 70 years, closed its Central Avenue store—but its South Shore Center location remains open.

De-Pave Park Plan Gets Green Light From Oversight Panels

Alameda’s noteworthy park-in-progress at Alameda Point, De-Pave Park, received an update.

Alameda Post - a map of how De-Pave Park may look, including a long walkway for humans to enjoy the sanctuary
De-Pave Park design with salt marsh crossing over tidal inlet proposed for construction at the beginning. CMG Landscape Architecture/City of Alameda graphic.
Property Available on Alameda’s Exclusive Grand Street for Just $400K

Amidst a sea of multimillion-dollar homes, a single 10,130-square-foot lot is for sale on Grand Street for only $400,000. “There is just one complicating factor: 610 Grand Street is under water,” explained Ken Der.

Alameda Hospital to Eliminate Operating Room

In a controversial maneuver, Alameda Hospital closed its operating room.

Panel Discussion Celebrates Local Women in STEM

To highlight the innovation of Alameda businesses and celebrate the women involved in them, the Alameda Chamber & Economic Alliance and its Alameda Women Leaders Group hosted a Women in STEM panel discussion.

Arts

Standing Room Only: Rhythmix’s Rising Seas Event

Rhythmix Cultural Works kicked off the year-long Rising Tides Climate Arts Initiative with “Rising Seas,” an art event combining music, theater, and dance to engage audiences with the impact of rising sea levels.

Alameda Post - in the outdoor performance area at Rhythmix Cultural Works, a crowd fills up all the chairs, stands in the back, and sits in the front to watch Rising Seas
The Rising Seas audience enjoys the Bobrowski-Davis-Hopkin Trio. Photo Karin K. Jensen.
Silence: Julia Park Tracey Speaks Loud & Clear

Julia Park Tracey tells the remarkable story of her seventh great-grandmother, Silence Marsh, in her latest book, Silence.

Independent Film ‘Still Life’ to Feature Alameda Actors and Location

Still Life, a coming-of-age romantic comedy-drama set in the late ’90s, is on its way to the big screen.

‘Somewhere to Land’ Draws a Huge Crowd at Alameda Point

A remarkable, multi-story set on the side of Hanger 25 greeted attendees at Somewhere to Land: Dances between Sea and a Low Sky.

Alameda Post - the stage for Somewhere to Lang, a huge vertical stage on the side of a hanger, including multiple platforms and free space
‘Somewhere to Land’ set. Photo Hans Siebert.
King Lear Is All of Us as We Age

Gene Kahane wrote about his journey to wear the crown of one of Shakespeare’s great characters.

History

Webster Street in the Nineteenth Century

Everything you need to know about the history of Webster Street, including the story of how the street got its name.

West End Once Served as Magnet for Bathers

In the late 19th century, Alameda boasted an astonishing number of privately owned “baths” that served customers looking for a convenient and luxurious dip in the cool ocean water.

Alameda Post - a black and white drawing of Alameda Salt Water Baths or The Newport Baths. Carriages pull up to a large structure next to the water. In a corralled area, people swim in the ocean. A railroad train drives by
John Wonderlich and Alonzo Bryan advertised their Alameda Salt Water Baths in the 1878 Husted’s Directory, but soon renamed their enterprise “The Newport Baths.” They depicted the South Pacific Coast Railroad train in this advertisement to remind readers of the San Francisco Call how convenient it was to reach their establishment. Photo San Francisco Call.
Alameda Point Before the Navy Arrived

In 2024, Alameda Point is characterized by the sprawling area left behind by the Naval Air Station, but what did it look like in the days before the Navy?

German Marksmen Create Unique Alameda Park

An eight-acre tract of land in Alameda was once home to Schuetzen Park, which included a 150-yard outdoor shooting range, restaurant, pavilion, and bowling alley.

Alameda Post - the Tilden Mansion, a large and stately white home
A front view of the Tilden Mansion, which has graced this spot on San Antonio Avenue since 1896. Architectural elements of the Renaissance Classical style include a symmetrical design, pedimented doors and windows, quoins, dentils, and pilasters. The well-tended garden enhances the look, and adds to the overall grace and beauty of the property. Photo Steve Gorman.
The Tilden Mansion Series, Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3

Among Alameda’s many beautiful homes, one stands out for its sheer size, grace, and beauty. Sometimes called the Wedding Cake House, the home at 1031 San Antonio Avenue is hard to miss.

Kelsey Goeres is the Managing Editor of the Alameda Post. Contact her via [email protected]. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Kelsey-Goeres.

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