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Mayor Ashcraft Optimistic In regards to the State of the Metropolis

On March 30, Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft introduced her State of the Metropolis deal with to the Alameda Chamber and Financial Alliance aboard the USS Hornet. Metropolis employees, elected officers, and Alameda enterprise neighborhood members have been readily available for her speech, which was themed “Alameda Transferring Ahead Collectively.”

Alameda Post - Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft presents the State of the City address aboard the USS Hornet on March 30, 2023.
Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft presents the State of the Metropolis 2023 deal with aboard the USS Hornet on March 30, 2023. Photograph Maurice Ramirez.

The Mayor started by asking, “What makes Alameda so particular, along with its pure magnificence, panoramic views, inviting seashore, tree-lined walkable and bikeable streets, plentiful parks, distinctive downtowns, and pleasant vibe?”

She argued that Alameda is the right-size metropolis. With a inhabitants near 80,000, she stated Alameda identifies and addresses wants expeditiously with out big-city forms. She cited Dignity Village, a transitional housing improvement to deal with and help previously homeless people, for example. In March 2022, the State awarded Alameda a $12.3 million grant for the event, supplemented by County funding. The Metropolis now appears ahead to its grand opening in Could. She additionally cited the Metropolis’s Assured Earnings Pilot Program, because of launch this summer season. She famous that Village of Love, Alameda Meals Financial institution, and Christ Episcopal Church help the Metropolis in its work.

She acknowledged Alameda Municipal Energy, Alameda Hearth Division, and Alameda Police Division for tirelessly holding the neighborhood secure throughout latest highly effective storms that toppled bushes and induced energy outages throughout the island. And she or he applauded the Recreation and Parks Division for its newest parks, the Seaplane Lagoon Promenade and Bohol Circle Immigrant Park, and the beginning of planning for a brand new Aquatic Heart at Gene Sweeney Park.

The Mayor acknowledged Finance Director Margaret O’Brien for reporting that the Metropolis has benefitted from a robust property market as traders proceed to enhance Alameda Level. Though the Metropolis anticipates a slowdown in allowing exercise and property transfers because the financial system adjusts to greater rates of interest, Alameda will proceed to reap monetary advantages from earlier property markets. Assessed valuations have grown a median of 6.5% yearly over the previous seven years, leading to roughly 52% development in property taxes from fiscal years 2017 to 2023. Progress is anticipated to complete 65% by 2025.

Alameda Post - a bird's eye view of the address, with many circular tables all laid out as the USS Hornet
Photograph Maurice Ramirez.

The Mayor touted Metropolis Council’s report of encouraging financial improvement, noting that modern companies which have not too long ago chosen to find in Alameda embody:

  • Scribe Therapeutics, a CRISPR and molecular engineering firm at Marina Village.
  • Checkerspot, an award-winning supplies firm utilizing micro-algae as an alternative of petroleum-based fuels to design extra sustainable supplies.
  • Science Corp, an organization growing prostheses to deal with blindness.
  • Rondo Vitality, an organization growing a battery that converts intermittent photo voltaic and wind-generated electrical energy into warmth saved in bricks and is offered on demand 24/7.

Concerning small companies, she famous that the Council not too long ago voted to proceed limiting third-party meals supply charges to assist eating places keep in enterprise.

She famous that California is the fourth largest financial system on this planet, but greater than 115,000 people are homeless throughout the state, together with in Alameda. She argued that California’s cities are legally and morally obligated to deal with this housing disaster and that Alameda is doing its half in being the primary Metropolis within the state to get its Housing Factor licensed by the Housing and Neighborhood and Improvement Division.

Housing developments that opened not too long ago or will open later this yr embody:

Lastly, she stated the Metropolis is taking international warming significantly as a result of rising sea ranges threaten Alameda’s island neighborhood. To that finish, the Metropolis has:

  • Adopted an equitable constructing decarbonization plan to section out pure gasoline use in present buildings.
  • Banned sale and use of gas-powered leaf blowers.
  • Launched new rebates for electrical warmth pump techniques, E-bikes, and photo voltaic initiatives.
  • Streamlined the photo voltaic allowing course of.
Alameda Post - the mayor speaks onstage at The State of the City
Photograph Maurice Ramirez.

The Mayor concluded her State of the Metropolis deal with by praising new Metropolis Supervisor Jennifer Ott, who she stated has hit the bottom working since her arrival on the finish of 2022 and demonstrates a deep understanding of the complexities of growing Alameda Level.

Contributing author Karin Okay. Jensen covers boards and commissions for the Alameda Put up. Contact her by way of [email protected]. Her writing is collected at https://linktr.ee/karinkjensen and https://alamedapost.com/Karin-Okay-Jensen.

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