July 2012

In bypassing Measure A, council seeks compliance with state law

Michele Ellson
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 - 12:05am

When city leaders voted last week to allow new apartment buildings to be built on 10 sites in Alameda – in apparent contravention Measure A, which bars such development – they were facing the very real possibility of a court challenge that could have nullified the four-decade-old voter initiative Island-wide.

“I strongly believe we would have been sued,” Planning Services Manager Andrew Thomas said. Read more >> about In bypassing Measure A, council seeks compliance with state law

Today's news: Council bypasses Measure A in effort to follow state law, and Peet's gets bought

Since the City Council adopted new rules allowing apartments to be developed on 116 acres of the Island, a number of folks have asked how the council could override Measure A, a voter-approved change to the city charter that prohibited multifamily housing development. We've got the answer. Read more >> about Today's news: Council bypasses Measure A in effort to follow state law, and Peet's gets bought

Peet's Coffee to be acquired in $1 billion deal

Submitted by Michele Ellson on

Peet's Coffee & Tea

A private investment group is acquiring local coffee roaster Peet’s Coffee & Tea in an estimated billion-dollar deal. The public coffee company will become private but will remain headquartered in the Bay Area, with its roasting-to-order facility staying in Alameda.

The company announced early Monday morning that Joh. A. Benckiser, a private, German investment group, would acquire Peet’s for $73.50 per share in cash, 29 percent higher than Peet’s closing share price Friday, according to a company release. The deal was unanimously okayed by Peet’s board of directors. Read more >> about Peet's Coffee to be acquired in $1 billion deal

Real Estate Report: Air Duct Cleaning – Scam or Useful?

Submitted by Pat Colburn on

I noticed some “coupons” for air duct cleaning in the mail and decided to take a closer look at the services offered. On the internet, I found examples of bait and switch artists ripping off unsuspecting homeowners and some seemingly legitimate contractors performing this service. But according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), air duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems.

So why have them cleaned? Read more >> about Real Estate Report: Air Duct Cleaning – Scam or Useful?

In selecting private golf operator, city treads well-worn path

Michele Ellson
Monday, July 23, 2012 - 12:05am
Chuck Corica Golf Complex

When the City Council contemplates a long-term lease deal that would put the Chuck Corica Golf Complex in the hands of a private operator, they’ll tread on ground that has been well worn by other Bay Area cities – to mixed results. Read more >> about In selecting private golf operator, city treads well-worn path

Today's news: Council considers golf deal, and should you get your air ducts cleaned?

When the City Council contemplates a long-term lease deal that would put the Chuck Corica Golf Complex in the hands of a private operator, they’ll tread on ground that has been well worn by other Bay Area cities. Over the last decade or so cities from across the Bay Area have contemplated handing over management of their golf courses to private operators, in an effort to maximize revenues while minimizing the risks of rising costs, pricey renovations and declining play. Read more >> about Today's news: Council considers golf deal, and should you get your air ducts cleaned?

Fundraising Fridays: Why we’re doing this

Michele Ellson
Friday, July 20, 2012 - 12:05am

It was nearly a year ago that I realized how much Alameda needed an additional news outlet that could keep an eye the public officials that make decisions on our behalf. I was at an untelevised school board meeting in a conference room that was attended by three people – myself, the president of Alameda’s teachers union and Kurt Peterson. Read more >> about Fundraising Fridays: Why we’re doing this

Construction on new Target store begins

Michele Ellson
Thursday, July 19, 2012 - 12:05am
Future site of Target

Wednesday’s groundbreaking for the first phase of the Alameda Landing development was a party that city leaders have been waiting more than seven years to hold. They and Landing developer Catellus greeted the pending arrival of a new Target-anchored shopping center and hundreds of new homes with an impromptu food truck buffet and white-clothed tables festooned with tiny plastic construction hats spread out across a vacant lot. Read more >> about Construction on new Target store begins

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