ALAMEDA
The Island’s annual street repair and resurfacing project has begun and is estimated to be complete by late October. Construction work hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The repairs will take place in several phases and not all on the same day.
Construction will take place first on curbs and gutters, which will be removed and replaced in a few places; areas of poor pavement will be patched; the edges of the street will be ground down; cracks will be filled; the street will be paved; and any traffic markings will be replaced. During construction, motorists will experience minor disruptions in traffic, temporary loss of parking spaces, temporary restricted street access and an increase in noise and dust levels. Bus stop access will be maintained throughout the project.
Two types of repair work will be done, asphalt concrete overlay and crack sealing. Asphalt concrete overlay is a mixture of asphalt cement (tar), gravel, and sand that is spread with a paving machine and compacted with rollers. For streets that require an overlay, the contractor will make its best efforts to maintain one lane of traffic available in each direction.
However, site conditions may require that only one lane is available for both directions. In this case, flag persons will be used to control traffic, and delays will occur. It is possible that on-street parking will be removed for up to one week during construction hours. The city is scheduled to overlay 13 streets throughout the Island. For the complete list of streets on which work is being done, visit bayareane.ws/2Kt0z50.
Wright, Oh grand marshals of Island’s 43rd July 4 parade
Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft has announced that the grand marshals of Alameda’s 2019 Fourth of July Parade are Otto Wright and Gene Oh.
Wright, who owns The Local on Park Street, has hosted community food and supply drives for victims of the North Bay fires; federal employees during the government shutdown; and residents of Midway Shelter; and also employs students with disabilities through a program with the Alameda Unified School District. Oh is the owner of Alameda Bicycle on Park Street and has conceived of and organized the annual Bike for the Parks fundraiser that raises thousands of dollars for Alameda parks each year.
Alameda’s Fourth of July Parade is the longest in the nation with a route that spans 3.3 miles and more than 170 entries, 2,500 participants and 60,000 spectators. This hometown celebration includes floats, marching bands, 150 equestrians, dance troops, bands, classic cars and more.
The parade will be preceded by a 5K benefit run/walk with 1,000 participants along the parade route. After the parade, the third annual Alameda Coast Guard Festival will take place at Pier 3 on Alameda Point near the USS Hornet. End the night aboard the Hornet with a celebration and fireworks. For more details, visit alamedaparade.com.
— city of Alameda
Island Girl Scout troop meets with Assemblyman Bonta
Concerned about the 47 percent increase in homelessness in Alameda County, the Island’s Girl Scout Troop 33370 met recently with state Assemblyman Rob Bonta in Sacramento to discuss current legislative bills to create more affordable housing that will help support low-wage earners and curb Alameda County’s exploding crisis of homelessness. While in the chambers, they even got to observe the state Senate vote on an important bill.
— Girl Scout Troop 33370
Alameda Municipal Power electric rates going up July 1
An increase in electric rates for commercial and residential customers goes into effect on July 1. The energy charge will increase slightly for all commercial customers — the average increase is about 1.8 to 2.5 percent. Alameda’s small businesses, such as law and accountants’ offices, will see a $1 “customer charge” increase from $28 to $29. Alameda Municipal Power’s (AMP) commercial rates will still average about 11 to 19 percent below Pacific Gas &Electric’s commercial energy rates in neighboring communities. For more information on the new rates, visit alamedamp.com/amp-rates.
AMP increases cash rebates for electric vehicle chargers
AMP is increasing its cash rebates for electric vehicle (EV) drivers who install charging stations at their homes. The new incentives are part of an overall initiative to make driving electric vehicles a more viable choice for Alamedans and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Under the new residential charger rebate program available July 1, Alamedans can receive a rebate of up to $800 toward the purchase of a Level 2 charger and any electric upgrades and permitting needed to install the charger. That’s up from the $500 rebate that AMP currently provides.
AMP has also increased its electric vehicle charger rebates for businesses, multifamily dwellings and public agencies. When nonresidential customers buy Level 2 chargers for the workplace, their residents or for their customers, they are now eligible for up to a $5,000 rebate per charger — up from $3,000 — to be applied toward the cost of the charger and related expenses for electric upgrades and permitting.
AMP funds the rebates through low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS) funds. The state’s LCFS program aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions and promote clean fuels and electric vehicles. Visit alamedamp.com for more information on AMP’s electric vehicle charger rebates.
— AMP
Tickets available for Island’s second Mini Maker Faire
The Mini Maker Faire is a celebration of spirited maker culture, showcasing local DIY-ers, scientists, designers, tinkerers and artisans and returns to Alameda this Aug. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Alameda Point at Saratoga Street and West Ranger Avenue.
Attendees will experience interactive exhibits and be inspired by the creativity and innovation of the local maker community. Last year’s fair attracted more than 65 exhibitors and 2,500 attendees, and this year’s fair will have even more exhibits and attractions. The fair follows in the footsteps of its renowned parent event, Maker Faire Bay Area, which hosts 100,000 visitors in San Mateo each May. Tickets are now available for $5 online, $7 at the door and for free for those younger than 5 and older than 65.
Two dollars from every ticket will go toward parklets, murals and place-making projects in west Alameda. Parking will be plentiful, but cycling or taking public transportation to the fair is encourage. This year’s Bike Valet will be sponsored by Cypress Equity Investments. For more details or to buy tickets, visit alameda.makerfaire.com online.
— city of Alameda
Join organization Food Shift for their Gratitude Dinner
From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 24, join the group Food Shift for an evening of inspiring stories and delicious vegetarian food at Alameda’s C’Era Una Volta restaurant to celebrate Culinary Training program apprentices and graduates who have worked so hard, overcome so many obstacles and made such an impact.
This event is to celebrate these individuals and the broad community of people who make our work possible. C’Era Una Volta is at 1332 Park St., Suite D, and tickets can be bought at food-shift-gratitude-dinner.eventbrite.com.
— Food Shift
