Crab Cove Expands

The East Bay Regional Park District resolves the Neptune Point property once and for all, and the city hears renters loud and clear.

Parcel Purchase

The East Bay Regional Park District will buy the 3-acre Neptune Point, the plot of land on McKay Avenue that the feds had agreed to sell to a private developer in 2011 for luxury housing. The district will use the space for park expansion.

 

Incubation Period

Food and beverage makers who want to share a manufacturing facility across from Bladium got approval for the city manager to work out a 10-year lease for Building 9. Prospective tenants range from Biagio and Baia Pasta to Sosu Sauces and MamaTong Soups.

 

Mercy Killer

Jerry “JC” Canfield pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in the death of his 72-year-old wife. He is expected to serve a three-year prison term. Canfield’s wife suffered from dementia.

 

Majority Renters

About 55 percent of all city households are renters, according to BAE Urban Economics. 2013 data from the Census Bureau put renter households at 16,518. While their median household income increased 29 percent from 2000 to 20013, rent skyrocketed by 54 percent.

 

Unaffordable Rents

According to the Census Bureau, 46 percent of Alameda renters are living in unaffordable housing. The survey defines “unaffordable” as spending more than 30 percent of your income on rent.

 

Moratorium Imposed

In light of rising rents, the City Council imposed a 65-day moratorium on rent increases of 8 percent or higher and ended no-cause evictions for the same period. The special meeting where the decision was made culminated with two arrests and two injured parties.

 

Fire Damage

Two Norwich Road houses were heavily damaged by a fire that brought 59 firefighters, including off-island ones, to battle the blazes. Crews took about an hour to extinguish the blaze. No one was injured.

 

Long Legacy

Temple Israel is 95, celebrating the occasion with party that honored Walt and Judy Jacobs, synagogue members whose family was involved with the temple’s move to Bay Farm 57 years ago.

 

Rehab Complete

Renovations on the Carriage House on the grounds of the historic Meyers House on Alameda Avenue are complete. The rehabilitation project cost about $25,000 with contributions coming from private donors. The structure now offers a public gallery and exhibition space.