1. Background: Signature Development Group is developing 60 acres of land at Brooklyn Basin on Oakland’s estuary. The project is a mix of housing, parks and a marina. The original project includes 167 boat slips and 3100 units of housing. This year, in 2021, Signature applied for an additional 158 boat slips, a water taxi at the Township Commons park and for 600 additional housing units.

Discussion. The Oakland estuary and Township Commons are public assets and should NOT be turned over to a private marina enterprise for use only by people who own boats.

Moreover, the additional slips are proposed in the most scenic and biologically sensitive areas of Brooklyn Basin. Additional slips would block expansive and unrestricted views of the estuary’s open water at Township Commons. Slips proposed nearby would surround recently reclaimed marshland, threatening established habitat for birds and aquatic wildlife.The addition of a water taxi at the curved walkway between Brotzeit restaurant and the Ninth Avenue Terminal building would further obstruct estuary views. Rather than a water taxi, a more sensible approach would be a direct public transportation link, via AC Transit, on Brooklyn Basin’s streets. This direct service is a better long-term solution for Brooklyn Basin residents, low-income families and seniors.

A number of environmental and historic groups have lined up to oppose expansion of boat slips including: The Sierra Club, The Golden Gate Audubon Society, SF Baykeeper, and Oakland Heritage Alliance, who all cite irreversible encroachment and disruption of marshland habitat and on historic resources.

Signature Properties proposes also to expand shoreline access but this will result in built-up hardscape areas and the loss of marshland and potential marshland on the water’s natural edge.

What We Ask:

1. Don’t add or expand marinas.

2. Add real public transportation instead of a water taxi.

3. Reclaim the entire length of western Clinton Basin as wetlands at the water’s natural edge and move the proposed paved walkways inland, away from wildlife habitat.

4. Include 25% affordable housing in the new 600 housing units.

5. Provide adequate on-site parking within easy walking distance of Township Commons.

Write to mandala0051@yahoo.com to join the effort & stay informed!