On March 5, the Alameda Chamber & Economic Alliance hosted Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft at Penumbra headquarters in Harbor Bay Business Park as she was honored for her years of service as mayor. She presented her final State of the City address, reflecting on the City’s progress in public safety, housing stability, transportation improvements, and climate action.
Ashcraft pointed to falling crime rates, expanded homelessness services, new bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and significant climate progress as key accomplishments. At the same time, she cautioned that the city faces ongoing challenges—including a slow housing market, aging infrastructure, and projected budget pressures—requiring continued fiscal discipline.
Mayor honored
State Assemblymember Mia Bonta praised the mayor’s eight years of leadership, describing her as a lifelong Alameda resident and “an icon in Alameda and across the Bay Area.” Bonta highlighted Ashcraft’s record of civic involvement—from serving on the Planning Board and Economic Development Commission to leading the campaign to save Alameda Hospital and serving on City Council before becoming mayor. Bonta especially highlighted the mayor’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and presented her with a resolution from California’s 18th Assembly District honoring her service. Eden Chan, District Director for Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, presented a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition.
Public safety, community protection
Ashcraft began by identifying public safety and health as core priorities, encompassing policing, fire protection, traffic safety, and mental-health crisis response.
She noted that Police Chief Nishant Joshi reported two consecutive years of double-digit crime reduction across major categories. Specific declines included:
- 45% reduction in vehicle theft.
- 15% reduction in larceny/theft.
- 14% reduction in vandalism.
- 11% reduction in burglaries.
Traffic enforcement increased by 91% in 2025, with a focus on dangerous driving. Officers assigned to business districts also have reduced response times and increased arrests and referrals for prosecution.
Ashcraft noted that in 2026, Alameda Fire Department will celebrate its 150th anniversary and will dedicate a new fire memorial to honor Alameda firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.
In 2025, Fire Department accomplishments included:
- Deployment of the fireboat Neptune, capable of pumping over 4,000 gallons per minute for marine firefighting.
- Phase one of an Emergency Water Supply System to maintain firefighting capability during catastrophic water system failures.
- Development of a long-term strategic plan for fire services.
- CARE Team mental-health crisis program responding to more than 1,100 calls and directly engaging 767 clients, connecting individuals with services rather than relying solely on law enforcement responses.
Housing stability and tenant protection
The mayor emphasized the City’s focus on preventing displacement and supporting renters, noting that the City Attorney’s Office Public Rights Team handled over 1,100 consumer and housing inquiries, and the Rent Program responded to 9,000 public questions, conducted 22 workshops, and mediated 47 landlord-tenant disputes.
The City protected residents of Barnhill Marina houseboats from rent increases of up to 178%, securing a $335,000 penalty against the landlord and preventing further harassment. As a result, the City Attorney’s Office received the American Bar Association’s Hodson Award, a national recognition presented annually for extraordinary service.
The Rent Program also identified over $500,000 in improper rent payments charged to tenants, which were subsequently refunded. Ashcraft emphasized that this enforcement work is particularly important in a high-cost market, where many residents already spend a large share of their income on housing.
To help address homelessness and stabilize vulnerable residents, the mayor noted that Christ Episcopal Church continues to operate the seasonal warming shelter, and Alameda Food Bank opened new headquarters. The McKay Wellness Center, which will provide respite services and health care for unhoused seniors, is scheduled to open in May 2026, and the City intends to open a new, expanded day center and safe parking facility at Alameda Point in the fall.
Notably, the mayor did not mention that the Village of Love Day Center had closed on February 27 over a contract dispute with the new service provider, Urban Alchemy, approved by City Council on February 17. According to Public Information Officer Sarah Henry, Health and Human Services staff are working to bring another recommended service provider agreement to City Council “for review as soon as possible.”
Ashcraft emphasized that preventing displacement is one of the most effective strategies for addressing homelessness. She noted that Alameda was recently designated a “Prohousing City” by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, making it eligible for funding advantages. The designation has already helped secure a $1 million grant.
Still, housing construction has slowed due to economic conditions. In 2025, the City issued permits for just 65 housing units, including 52 accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Despite the slowdown, several major projects are advancing:
The City also sold 12 below-market-rate homes through a lottery system, expanding opportunities for lower-income households to build equity.
Finally, the City and MidPen Housing received a $44.5 million grant through the California Strategic Growth Council’s Affordable Housing and Sustainability program, most of which will support Stardust Gardens at Alameda Point, an 80-unit, trauma-informed affordable housing development designed for formerly homeless households.
Video by Maurice Ramirez.
Transportation and mobility
The mayor noted that major transportation initiatives focused on safety and multimodal access.
Projects included:
- Central Avenue Safety Improvements, featuring Alameda’s first roundabout and a protected cycle track.
- A protected bike route on Grand Street, connecting the beach to Clement Avenue.
- Construction of the city’s first neighborhood greenway on Pacific Avenue.
These projects support Alameda’s large number of walking and biking students—about 40% of students travel to school without a car, the mayor noted. The improvements contributed to Alameda receiving a Gold Bicycle Friendly Community designation from the League of American Bicyclists.
Ferry service remains a major mode of transportation. Ashcraft noted that approximately 1 million ferry riders traveled to or from Alameda in 2025. The mayor also highlighted the Woodstock water shuttle connecting West Alameda and Oakland, which carried 125,000 passengers last year.
Long-term plans include a bicycle and pedestrian bridge across the estuary to improve connections to Oakland. Ashcraft said the City has completed a Project Initiation Document and begun a waterway study to evaluate design and navigation impacts, which is expected to be completed by June 2027. The City will then prepare environmental review documents, continue planning and design, and work to close the project’s funding gap.
Infrastructure and City services
Ashcraft warned that Alameda faces aging infrastructure and long-term funding needs, particularly related to flooding, earthquakes, and sewer reliability. Voters may consider an infrastructure bond measure in November.
The mayor also noted that the City has maintained strong financial reserves but expects structural budget deficits in future years, requiring disciplined spending and adjustments to service fees that have fallen behind actual costs.
Several community facilities are under development, including Estuary Park, a five-acre park opening in 2026, and the new Aquatic Center scheduled for 2027.
Library usage remains high with over 216,000 visits annually. Further, libraries have expanded social services through a clinical social worker pilot program that assists patrons with housing, mental health, and other social services.
Economic development
The mayor noted that the Small Business Development Center supported local businesses and job growth by providing one-on-one advice to nearly 200 businesses. Also, the Rise Up Alameda pilot program provided 150 low-income residents with $1,000 per month in guaranteed income, resulting in improvements in financial stability and well-being.
Climate action and sustainability
Alameda has made significant progress toward its climate goals. Community-wide greenhouse gas emissions have fallen 29% since 2005, putting the city on track to meet its target of 50% reduction by 2030.
Major efforts included:
- Updating the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan.
- Expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
- Urban tree planting programs.
- Regional sea-level rise adaptation planning.
The City also received Beacon awards for climate progress.
External challenges
Ashcraft noted broader challenges, including the continued partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security due to a Congressional funding impasse, noting the absence of Coast Guard representatives at the event as a result.
Referencing “Congress’s inability to agree on appropriate guidelines and restrictions for federal agents conducting immigration enforcement,” Ashcraft noted that “the City Attorney’s Office and I have signed on to … amicus briefs supporting the rights of states and local governments, including Portland, Oregon, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis, to govern without being subjected to militarization of their streets or being required to support Federal civil immigration enforcement.”
She also referenced the termination of a planned Veterans Administration clinic and columbarium at Alameda Point, adding that she, the City’s federal lobbyists and representatives, and veterans organizations continue to oppose the termination and seek to restore funding.
Looking ahead
Finally, Ashcraft noted that the process of hiring a new city manager is underway and that the City is greatly looking forward to the Australian men’s national soccer team training at the Oakland Roots and Soul training facility at Harbor Bay Business Park for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup in June and July: “The City is working with our business community to ensure Alameda is ready to welcome the Australian delegation and its tens of thousands of visiting fans.”
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.
