Alameda Point Collaborative has begun abatement and demolition work at 1245 McKay Ave., near Crab Cove, in order to construct a medical respite and clinic facility to serve homeless patients.
“I am thrilled that this day has arrived,” stated Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft. “The Wellness Campus enjoys strong, unwavering support from state and local government, the community, and philanthropy.”
In 2019, Alameda residents approved Measure A to support development of a medical respite center and supportive housing community at the site. Since then, the Campus has received more than $30 million in state and regional grant funding, as well as support from foundations and health care organizations. There was some pushback from community organizations and members of the community after the vote, but their efforts to derail the project failed.
“Homelessness is one of the most serious issues we face,” Mayor Ashcraft added, “so we must develop lasting solutions to address and reduce homelessness. The Wellness Campus will help Alameda meet its goal of housing all Alamedans, and ensuring that individuals who are unhoused, or at risk of becoming unhoused, can access the services they need.”
Holistic campus
The project will consist of a two-story facility that includes 50 beds for medical respite and hospice, a medical clinic, and a drop-in center where Alamedans at-risk of becoming homeless can get assistance.
This building is one part of a holistic campus, which when completed will also include a 100-bed permanent supportive housing facility for homeless elders with medical needs. General Contractor for the project is BBI Construction, Service provider will be Lifelong Medical Services. The state of the art facility was designed by Ankrom Moisan and the trauma-informed landscaping was designed by Mantle Landscape Architects.
The site for the project is a former federal facility that was transferred to APC through the federal homeless accommodation process. This is the third successful accommodation undertaken by APC, a major accomplishment given that there have been only about 100 conveyances successfully completed across the country since the accommodation law was passed in the 1980s.
“The process we went through to get the property was challenging,” APC Executive Director Doug Biggs said, “but knowing the impact this project will have on the lives of those served, we never wavered from our commitment.”
All work will be done in accordance with permits and mitigation requirements issued by the City of Alameda Planning and Building Department. APC has set up a construction hotline for questions, complaints or concerns at (510) 227-5484.
