Limits use of EV charging spaces, appoints Golf and Disability Commission members, reviews State of the City and housing, transportation, and CARP reports
On April 1, in an action-packed agenda, City Council received an update on Alameda’s economic development efforts, focusing on business retention, attraction, and revitalizing key commercial areas like Park and Webster Streets. The Economic Development Division reported leveraging new partnerships and strategies, such as a storefront display campaign, to support local businesses and reduce commercial vacancies.
To ensure electric vehicle (EV) charging stations remain accessible, Council approved an ordinance making it unlawful to park in a public parking space designated for EVs unless the vehicle is connected to a charger.
The Mayor reprised her State of the City Address. The Council reviewed a mid-cycle update and annual report for the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP) and annual reports on the Housing Element, Transportation Choices Plan, and Vision Zero Action Plan. The Council also appointed John Lipp as a Member of the Commission on Persons with Disabilities and Lily Boris and Hamill Serrant as Members of the Golf Commission.
Attracting and retaining businesses
Dwayne Dalman, Economic Development Division Manager, explained that the Division’s goals are “to better meet the needs of our existing businesses… enact a more robust business and investment attraction effort… and dynamically respond to current issues.” The Division plans to maintain existing programs and also wants to update four areas: business attraction, business retention, integration of Alameda Point, and use of technology.
Highlights of Alameda’s current economic development activities include:
- An active façade improvement program.
- Workforce development, including a youth career fair.
- Guaranteed basic income.
- Special events like Restaurant Week.
- Public arts.
To attract new businesses, the Division is engaging with commercial brokers to promote vacant buildings for sale or lease to the larger business community. They are partnering with the Chamber of Commerce to create a Choose Alameda website, due to be launched by summer, featuring video testimonials from local executives about their decisions to locate in Alameda. The City also joined TeamCalifornia, a statewide organization that will help to target businesses through trade show conventions.
To retain businesses, Dalman said the Division is working with the East Bay Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to bring free business advising services to Alameda businesses. “A lot of businesses are using that service,” Dalman said, “It’s very popular.” Upcoming East Bay SBDC workshops relate to restaurant operations and digital marketing. The Division may also expand the façade improvement program to include safety measures such as bollards to prevent vehicles from crashing through entrances to commit theft.
The upcoming Oakland Alameda Access Project will require lane closures in the Webster/Posey tubes, which is expected to have a chilling effect on businesses affected by traffic delays. The Division is working with the Alameda County Transportation Commission and CalTrans to enhance communication efforts and minimize impacts.
Storefront vacancy assistance program
A significant portion of the presentation focused on collaborative efforts with the Downtown Alameda Business Association (DABA) and West Alameda Business Association (WABA) to revitalize both Park and Webster Streets. While their overall vacancy rate is relatively low (4.8% for Park and 3.4% for Webster), there are still about 65,000 square feet vacant across 26 properties.
The Division sent letters to eight property owners deemed “unmotivated.” The letters conveyed ways in which the City can help. The Division received no direct responses, but Dalman noted that one owner afterward lowered their rent and another engaged a broker.
The Division is considering further action, including a follow-up letter from the Mayor and potential measures such as imposing a vacant building monitoring fee and setting minimum property maintenance standards.
Another idea is to use empty storefronts as advertising canvases. “One of the ideas we came up with is putting window clings in these spaces,” Dalman said. The clings would say, “Picture your business here and be part of this fabulous downtown.” A QR code would link to the Economic Development Team. The clings would serve both as a beautification effort and a marketing tactic.
Integration of Alameda Point
The Division is working to better integrate Alameda Point into the City’s broader economic development strategy by addressing business support and infrastructure needs. They have contracted a consultant to provide financial assessments for businesses, and they are assisting Spirits Alley businesses with the complex process of installing shade structures that comply with wildlife regulations.
Other initiatives include refreshing wayfinding signage and placemaking. Much of the current wayfinding has been vandalized or stolen. Also, with the Main Street encampments removed, staff is exploring options to activate the Main Street gateway to Alameda Point to create a more welcoming environment.
Finally, the Economic Development Division is collaborating with the Base Reuse Division on a maritime strategy to leverage the waterfront location for economic and community benefit and the piers to attract maritime and blue-tech businesses.
Council comment
Councilmembers generally praised the Division’s approach but were eager to see visible progress, especially on Park Street. When asked when the city could expect to see some results, Dalman shared that some properties are “very close” to being leased.
Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft asked how buildings like the former Bank of America building on Park Street can be handled, calling it a “throwback to an earlier era” when everyone banked in person. Dalman said they would likely have to address such “functionally obsolete” buildings both with façade improvement and interior renovation.
Multiple Councilmembers identified Harbor Bay Landing as one of the most vacant shopping centers and wanted it to be a priority. Dalman responded that, unlike downtown commercial areas where the city partners with business associations, Harbor Bay Landing falls solely under the Economic Development Division’s direct oversight. One issue has been its unclear or possibly inactive brokerage representation.
Assistant City Manager Amy Wooldridge noted that this issue has interdepartmental attention with Planning Director Allen Tai personally engaged with the property owners, helping them navigate language barriers.
Councilmember Tony Daysog raised the idea of supporting homegrown entrepreneurs. Dalman confirmed such support through business visitation, engaging with property managers to understand the businesses housed there and their growth potential, and supporting biotech incubators and other startup-friendly spaces at sites like Research Park.
Dalman added that Alameda’s proximity to UC Berkeley and the broader Bay Area innovation ecosystem provides access to startup talent. He said the City is exploring how to identify these early-stage companies and assist their expansion: “Given our proximity to UC Berkeley, a lot of those companies are coming out of (the university).”
The Council unanimously accepted the Economic Development Status Update.
Limiting use of designated EV charging spaces
Transportation accounts for 54% of Alameda’s greenhouse gas emissions. Electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure is key to reducing these emissions. There are eight public EV charging stations citywide, and Alameda’s EV ownership has increased from 2.3% to 8.9% in five years. The City plans to expand EV chargers to 12 public lots and 30 new curbside locations to further encourage EV use.
To ensure the availability of charging stations, the Council unanimously voted to approve an ordinance limiting the use of designated EV parking spaces—both at curbside locations and city-owned facilities—to only electric vehicles actively connected to a charging station. The fine for non-compliance will be $45.
New Commission members
The Council appointed John Lipp as a Member of the Commission on Persons with Disabilities and Lily Boris and Hamill Serrant as Members of the Golf Commission. Lipp, a longtime Alameda resident and soon-to-retire CEO of the Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS), shared his experience with Young-Onset Parkinson’s Disease and his commitment to community service. “My diagnosis has brought me an awareness of other people’s challenges, the damage that can be done when we make assumptions, and how life-changing it can be when we lead with compassion and kindness,” Lipp said.
Hamill Serrant, a finance professional from New York who recently bought a home in Alameda with his wife, highlighted his long standing interest in golf and community engagement. A physician and advocate, Lily Boris expressed her enthusiasm for promoting golf, especially for women and children.
Other business
In other business:
- The Mayor reprised her State of the City Address, which Vicky Nguyen reviewed for the Post when the Mayor presented it at Penumbra. City Photographer Maurice Ramirez created an intro video.
- The Council accepted the 2024 Annual Reports on the Housing Element, Alameda’s housing plan for 2023-2031, the Transportation Choices Plan, Alameda’s framework for implementing transit, and the Vision Zero Action Plan, which aims to reduce traffic deaths and life-changing injuries to zero. This writer reviewed these reports for the Post when they were presented to the Planning Board.
- The Council accepted the 2025 Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP) Mid-Cycle Update and 2024 Annual Report. Ken Der reviewed these reports for the Post when they were presented to the Transportation Commission. Sustainability and Resilience Manager Danielle Mieler highlighted upcoming Earth Month activities such as the Spring Shindig.
Contributing writer Karin K. Jensen covers boards and commissions for the Alameda Post. Contact her via [email protected]. Her writing is collected at https://linktr.ee/karinkjensen and https://alamedapost.com/Karin-K-Jensen.
