New City Council Elections Could Affect the Future of Albany Waterfront

The recent mid-term elections have made Joanne Wile and Marge Atkinson the newest Albany City Council members. One of the deciding topics in this election was the Albany Waterfront, in which their opposing candidates, Francesco Papalia and Caryl O’Keefe wanted development there, while Atkinson and Wile envisioned “ park and open space.” Papalia and O’Keefe felt that the area needed to be developed, because it would bring a lot more money into Albany. Atkinson and Wile feel this project would destroy the “small town character of Albany.”

So what does this election outcome mean for the city of Albany and the Waterfront? The proposed “mixed-use development” idea of Papalia and O’Keefe didn’t sit well with Atkinson, so she proposed a large park in replace of the Golden Gate Fields, which, she feels, would be better for the city. By having these profitable businesses on the Waterfront, Papalia promised a large amount of money for Albany schools and other public organizations. Atkinson and Wile felt they shouldn’t sacrifice the wildlife and environment down there for some extra money for the city, which apparently was the view of the majority of Albany citizens.

The winners of this election have recognized that Albany could use some more revenue coming in, but they are skeptical because, as Atkinson says, “… when having retail businesses in an area, money comes in as a sales tax, which has to go to Sacramento and back. And in the end, it could be the 1% as proposed, or it could be much less.” Instead of the “mall” idea, Atkinson envisions “ a hotel or some other kind of other development [that] would bring in 10%-12% [of their earning] to the city directly.” Therefore sparing the environment while possibly making “just as much money” as a larger development.

Atkinson, who has been working in the Albany school system for 24 years, is now confronted with the decision of how to deal with the shoreline. The area is privately owned, and it will take a while for anything to really get started. “Many people would like to see something down there,” says Atkinson, but the recent elections have shown that people didn’t particularly agree with the ideas presented by the losing council member candidates.

Papalia and O’Keefe, along with many other Albany citizens, are skeptical of the new council members’ plans, but by looking at the recent mid-term elections, the general public feels that the “gem of Albany” is safer in the hands of Atkinson and Wile.

2 Responses

1. 7:48 AM on December 13th, 2006deshawn freemen:

   dequante member that one night down der wif tem females?

2. 7:48 AM on December 13th, 2006assia:

   noooo ware r chester and his buddies going to live!!

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