Defers Michaan’s rent repayment, approves City-owned property management contract
On April 15, City Council unanimously approved design concepts for the Willie Stargell Avenue Complete Street Corridor Project, consisting of safety and transit improvements between Main Street and Mariner Square Loop. They also authorized filing an application for funding from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and committing any necessary matching funds to assure completion of the project.
The Council also voted to extend the repayment period for deferred rent owed by Michaan’s Auctions and to contract with Lincoln Property Company to manage City-owned properties.
Willie Stargell Avenue project background
Senior Transportation Coordinator Susie Hufstader shared that the City of Alameda is pursuing a comprehensive redesign of Willie Stargell Avenue, from Main Street to Mariner Square Loop, to improve safety, accessibility, and sustainability. The West End corridor serves numerous key destinations, including Alameda Point, the Bayport neighborhood, affordable housing sites, Ruby Bridges Elementary School, the College of Alameda, and the Webster Street commercial corridor.
Originally planned as a four-lane arterial road connecting Webster Street to Alameda Point, Willie Stargell Avenue was ultimately built with two lanes. This left unused right-of-way along the north side, which the city sees as a significant opportunity for bike, transit, and pedestrian improvements.
Over the years, the City has received many complaints from the community regarding speeding along the avenue, including difficulty of crossing, drivers not yielding to pedestrians at the Main Street, Mosley Avenue, Coral Sea Street, and Fifth Street intersections, and the lack of dedicated bicycle facilities.
Hufstader noted that the posted speed limit is 25 mph, yet actual speeds are frequently recorded as high as 40 mph. The corridor is designated a high-injury street under Alameda’s Vision Zero Action Plan, and broadside crashes at key intersections suggest red-light running.
Project objectives of the Willie Stargell Avenue Complete Street Corridor project include:
- Traffic calming to address high vehicle speeds.
- Enhanced Safe Routes to Schools infrastructure.
- Improved transit operations for AC Transit Line 19.
- Increased walking and biking connectivity.
- Integration of green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff and flooding.
The project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under categorical exclusions for improvements to existing facilities.
Project design
The overall project consists of two elements, Project A and Project B.
Project A: Safety Improvements will include:
- Pedestrian sidewalk on the north side.
- Traffic calming through narrowed lanes (14 feet to 12 feet) and center medians.
- Safer crossings with bulbouts, flashing beacons, high-visibility striping, and ADA ramps.
- Separated westbound bike lane to connect with future Webster Tube path.
- Horizontal deflection to force slight vehicle shifts, slowing traffic.
Project B: Transit Improvements will include:
- New bus stops for AC Transit Line 19, with amenities.
- Two new roundabouts (Fifth Street and Mariner Square Loop) to improve traffic flow and safety.
Roundabouts are expected to reduce fatal and injury crashes by up to 78% compared to signalized intersections.
The project will be completed in two phases:
- Phase 1 (2027–2028): Safety improvements, bus stops, and quick-build Fifth Street roundabout.
- Phase 2 (Post-2029): Full Fifth Street roundabout and second roundabout at Mariner Square Loop, pending funding.
Phase 1 is anticipated to cost $11.4 million. To date, $5.87 million in grants has been secured for Project A, and $4 million in grants is pending for Project B. The project must secure $1.54 million through City funds or additional grants.
Public comment
Alameda resident Jim Strehlow expressed support for the Willie Stargell Avenue improvements west of Fifth Street, describing them as “wonderfully designed and needed.” However, he voiced serious concern about the eastern portion of the project, between Webster Street and Mariner Square Loop.
He warned that the single westbound lane near In-N-Out Burger will end up being blocked by cars waiting to turn into the restaurant, and he criticized limiting roundabouts to single-lane designs, calling it “short-sighted.” He argued that two-lane roundabouts are feasible and should be considered in order to handle higher traffic volumes.
Similarly, Allen Michaan, longtime operator of the Alameda Point Antiques Faire and president of Michaan’s Auction, said the proposed roundabouts would lead to gridlock during large events, disrupt emergency access, and hurt local businesses. He called the plan “a disaster waiting to happen” and recommended expanding Stargell to two lanes in each direction instead.
Council discussion and next steps
Vice Mayor Michele Pryor asked staff how traffic heading to the In-N-Out Burger would be managed. Hufstader responded that a dedicated right-turn lane from Webster Street into the restaurant would prevent backups from blocking the single lane westbound. Drivers heading to Target and other businesses could bypass the congestion by entering from Fifth Street or staying in the left lane to avoid the In-N-Out turn queue.
Councilmember Tracy Jensen asked what type of roadway Stargell Avenue is in the General Plan. Hufstader confirmed that it is a “neighborhood connector,” meant to serve all modes of transportation, including cars, bikes, and pedestrians between neighborhoods.
Councilmember Tony Daysog praised the roundabouts and supported the single-lane design for its traffic-calming benefits. He acknowledged Allen Michaan’s long-standing contributions to Alameda through the antiques fair but disagreed with his opposition, emphasizing the city’s need for safer, more pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.
Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft strongly defended the project, citing consistent collision reports involving pedestrians and cyclists, dangerous crossing conditions near Ruby Bridges Elementary and Coast Guard housing, and the need to protect the most vulnerable road users—children, seniors, and cyclists. She emphasized that while large events like the Antiques Faire are important, residents use the roads year-round, and their daily safety takes precedence.
She called the project a model for regional infrastructure improvements and predicted grant support from the MTC: “This is something that my colleagues throughout the nine Bay Area counties would support.”
Council unanimously voted to endorse design concepts for the Willie Stargell Avenue Complete Street Corridor and to authorize the City’s application for funding from the MTC. The project will proceed to design, engineering, and permitting, with construction targeted to start in 2027.
Extending deferred rent repayment period for Michaan’s Auctions
Annie Cox, Management Analyst for the Base Reuse and Economic Development Department, presented a proposal to extend deferred rent repayment for Michaan’s Auctions at 2701 Monarch Street. The historic hangar, leased through 2032, has a monthly rent of $54,000.
During the COVID-19 crisis, the City implemented a rent relief program, allowing deferral of up to nine months of rent. Michaan’s Auctions, a venue for antiques and fine art that hosts the popular Alameda Point Antiques Faire, deferred $240,833 and had a three-year repayment schedule.
They have repaid over $170,000 of their original deferred rent balance and remain in good standing on all lease obligations. This fourth amendment to the agreement would extend the repayment period through January 1, 2026, for the remaining $77,739.73. Staff recommended approval due to Michaan’s good standing and significant contribution to activating Spirits Alley.
Council members expressed strong support for Mr. Michaan, a tenant since 1997, highlighting his historic investment in Alameda Point: “They took a chance on Alameda Point (when) it was like the Wild West,” said Mayor Ashcraft, “so why would we not give him the benefit of the doubt now?”
Vice Mayor Pryor added, “I look at this as an investment in keeping a reliable and great tenant in a beloved community business.”
Council voted unanimously to authorize the fourth lease amendment.
Contracting Lincoln Property Company for City-owned property management
Alesia Strauch, Base Reuse Manager, presented a recommendation to authorize a two-year contract with Lincoln Property Company (LPC) to manage City-owned real estate assets. The contract would include options to renew for up to four more years and total $14,435,991 over six years (excluding commissions).
The City has long used contractors for property management. Its current portfolio of over 400 million square feet of diverse properties includes hangars, warehouses, marinas, and historic buildings such as the Carnegie Library and Alameda Theater Complex. These properties generate about $16 million annually, so effective property management is essential for maintaining the City’s financial sustainability. LPC is the current contractor and was selected again after competitive bidding.
Staff explored managing properties in-house, concluding it would be more expensive, require hiring nine staff, and risk redundancy since the City plans to sell many properties eventually. Council unanimously voted to authorize the contract with LPC.
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.
