Crunch Time for Golf Course Decision

Editor's Note: I will be updating live from tonight's City Council meeting starting tonight at 7 p.m. You can . --Eve, eve@patch.com

After nearly a year of turmoil, the Alameda City Council is poised to make a decision Tuesday on the future of the city-owned , including the Mif Albright nine-hole short course.

The issue has provoked among Alameda residents since Ron Cowan's in April 2011 proposed a land swap that would allow the development company to build 130 new homes on Bay Farm.

the proposed construction of youth sports fields on Bay Farm that would be financed by HBIA and the development company's financial contribution toward improvements at the golf complex.

Opponents say the new homes would worsen Bay Farm traffic congestion and would mean the loss of well-established trees at the Mif Albright course. They also question the principle of relinquishing public park property to a private developer; there's even a move to put a voter initiative on the ballot to prevent such an action.

The two main options, according to a report from City Manager John Russo:

Land exchange. The city would swap 12.2 acres that are part of the 14-acre Mif Albright Course for 12.2 acres on North Loop Road owned by Harbor Bay Isle Associates (HBIA). The city would permit HBIA to build 130 new homes on the Mif Albright land. HBIA would contribute $7.2 million to the construction of golf complex improvements and construction of youth sports playing fields on the North Loop Road property (presently vacant land between North Loop Road and Catalina Road).

KemperSports (the current golf complex operator) would rebuild the Mif Albright Course adjacent to a reconfigured and improved Jack Clark 18-hole golf course. The city and KemperSports would each contribute $3.5 million to golf complex improvements,.

HBIA would contribute an additional $650,000 if the city is willing to lease the North Loop Road lands to a newly formed Alameda Youth Sports Foundation
(AYSF).

Non-Exchange Option. This option would not include a land exchange, construction of 130 homes on Bay Farm or a new youth sports complex. The city would choose an outside firm to manage and improve the golf complex during a long-term lease.

Of the five companies that expressed interest, KemperSports (the current golf complex operator) and Greenway Golf received the top rankings from a city interview panel. The lessee would contribute a substantial amount ($5 million or more in cash and services) to capital improvements to the complex.

The council will meet at Tuesday, March 6, at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Ave. The meeting agenda and a staff report on the golf course options are available on the City of Alameda website.