Bail wants limits on expansion

Friday, September 24, 2004 By Susan Fuller, Alameda Journal

Pat Bail, 62 has a background in volunteerism and fund raising for causes related to sudden infant death syndrome and youth baseball. She is a graduate of Alameda High School.

What do you think about what the city's done on work/live lofts? Should there be work/live in Alameda's future?

No. It doesn't comply with Measure A, even though they tried to word the ordinance so that work/live spaces aren't dwellings.

I don't see anything wrong with developing the Northern Waterfront. It could be lawyers offices or doctors offices or light industry. There's been a downturn in demand for offices but we're not talking about solving it in five years. Alameda plans for the short term, not the long term.

The warehouses shouldn't be residential; there are only so many people this town can accommodate.

Do you want retail at FISC? Why or why not.

I have no particular dislike of retail; I do dislike a huge shopping center because we can't support what we have at South Shore, Park Street and Webster Street.

A 40-acre center is mind-boggling. The only way you can support that is if you build enough housing and bring people to support it. It should be a park and single family homes or duplexes.

What do you think about the budget cutting decisions the council made? What else would you have supported?

I support closing City Hall at the base. I'm not so sure we need all the new employees since Jim Flint came aboard. We're top heavy in administrators and have too many attorneys.

I'm no fan of Jim Flint; we've suffered greatly under his leadership.

There are other questions that need examination before user fees are instituted.

Should the city continue helping the schools financially?

I don't have enough information to make a judgment. The school district has its own taxing ability. I support public schools but I'm not so sure the city should take on the additional burden when it has no input on the school budget.

What would you have advocated for Harbor Island tenants that is different from what the council is doing?

The 52 affordable units at Bayport should have been set aside for handicapped, senior citizens or 20-plus year tenants being evicted.

Former Navy housing should be made available on a temporary basis It's better than the street. Filing a lawsuit was just a stopgap.

How would you use the barracks at Alameda Point, considering their historical status, challenging layout and Measure A?

If they have no historic significance, are too expensive to renovate and aren't viable structures, tear them down and use the land for something else. I don't think there's any particular emotional attachment to those buildings. Everything outlives its life at some point.

We should do something else that complies with Measure A.

What could the City Council do to break down the real or perceived East-West Alameda divide?

Concentrated low cost housing and housing projects are a bad idea. They isolate people. I am an advocate of spreading it out so it doesn't create that ghetto mentality. Isolated pockets of low-cost housing are well-kept.

I think West-Enders' perception is that the East End doesn't want any of that in their territory. Base closure lends a more hopeful atmosphere. East Enders need to recognize the West End has contributed to this Island. West Enders need to accept some changes, maybe with a little more open heart.

The city could make it better by giving a few bones, like a police presence on Webster Street so women feel comfortable walking down the street and not getting accosted by men hanging out at the bar.

What actions has the council taken in the past four years that you strongly support or oppose?

Writing the live/work ordinance was a mistake. I didn't like the garbage rate increase.

I think the city managers need to know they serve at the pleasure of the City Council. I find it disturbing that the council has been less than strong on the issues. They take too much direction from staff.

Some say the Alameda Theatre is a white elephant, some say it's the key to Park Street's economic success. What is your position?

I don't think it's a white elephant but I don't believe the town can support 11 screens, unless we have a big influx of people.

I'm not opposed to attracting outsiders, but with the exception of people who live near the bridges, it's a pipe dream. I oppose the idea of bring many more people here to live; it's not what I think is good for the town.

A garage would be a help to Park Street, whether or not the theater is viable.

Park Street isn't going to be like the old days, which all of us old-timers want. It could be like downtown San Mateo or Fourth Street in Berkeley.

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Last Modified: September 24, 2004

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