Alameda Opens Surf Park Talks on Public Parkland in Split 4-1 Vote

Alameda's City Council voted 4-1 on Nov. 4, 2026, to pursue exclusive negotiations with a surf park developer for Enterprise Park, a 21-acre public site at Alameda Point. The deal requires the developer to pay for a city-led master plan that must include an option with no surf park. Later that night, the council voted 5-0 to override a county airport panel and send the Oakland Roots' temporary stadium to the planning board.

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• Surf park ENA advances 4-1 after more than two hours of debate and 16-plus speakers; Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft dissents
• Developer-funded, city-led master plan for Enterprise Park must include a no-surf-park scenario
• Oakland Roots stadium clears airport compatibility 5-0, overriding the county commission's denial
• Up to 24 pro matches and 8,000 fans at Harbor Bay, with neighbors pressing on noise and traffic
• Council referral rule narrowed: members must consult staff first, but the 90-day pre-election ban is dropped

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Surf Park Talks Move Forward, With Strings

The basics: An exclusive negotiating agreement (ENA) gives one developer the sole right to negotiate with the city for a set period. It does not approve a project. Staff proposed a roughly 24-month ENA with Neptune Beach Surf Club. The developer would pay for a city-led master plan covering all of Enterprise Park, whether or not that plan includes a surf park.

Why it matters: Bayfront public parkland is now on a path toward possible commercial use. The deal also sets a precedent for developers paying for city planning, which drew the mayor's dissent over transparency and the lack of competition.

Where things stand: Enterprise Park covers about 21 acres at the south end of Alameda Point. It holds a sports field, sailing facilities, a campground, storage and a police training lot. Staff said the Recreation and Parks Department has no plan or funding for the park and no capacity to take it on for five to 10 years.

The developer approached the city in spring 2025. The Recreation and Parks Commission supported exploring the idea in July 2025, and the council later gave closed-session direction to explore an ENA.

"An ENA does not commit the city to moving forward with a project," said Recreation and Parks Director Justin Long.

Council questions covered noise near Encinal High School, tidelands limits, the Hornet Field soccer lease and shoreline adaptation. Members also weighed the trade-off against the planned research and development (R&D) and manufacturing uses for the Enterprise District.

Supporters said the deal would bring access, programming, utilities and activity to the park. Adriana Guerrero, executive director of Salted Roots, backed beginner surf access for East Bay communities of color, as long as the project is sustainable, transparent and affordable. Mike Bishop, former president of the Alameda Community Sailing Center, said the sailing site lacks water, power and toilets. Christopher Seiwald said a commercial partner can pay for a plan the city cannot afford.

The other side: Critics, including a competing surf park developer, called for an open request for proposals (RFP) instead. Public commenter Sylvia Kahn said a multimillion-dollar project "demands a competitive request for proposals, or RFP, to ensure transparency." Linda Carloni said she does not oppose a surf pool. She called the ENA premature and said developer-funded planning creates an appearance of impropriety. She also cited wildlife and the need for bayfront land to adapt to sea level rise. Richard Bangert predicted the master plan would not end up including a surf pool.

The mayor opened the council's deliberation with a sharp objection to the process. "It's already come to us looking an awful lot like a done deal," said Ashcraft. Vice Mayor Michele Pryor questioned whether an RFP should come first. "I feel like we kind of have skipped a step," she said.

City Manager Jerry Bowden said applicant-funded work is common and that the city would manage it. Staff said the city would stay at arm's length from the developer.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Councilmember Tony Daysog made the winning motion. "I am actually suggesting that we enter into an exclusive negotiating agreement with this entity because this entity is willing to front the cost of a master planning process," he said. His motion requires the master plan to be produced without the developer's involvement and to include several scenarios, one with no surf park. Councilmember Greg Boller seconded. "We're not deciding tonight whether or not there's a surf park," he said.

The vote was For: 4 (Boller, Daysog, Jensen, Pryor), Against: 1 (Ashcraft), Absent: 0. Earlier, the council voted 5-0 to give each speaker three extra minutes.

What's next: Staff will pursue the ENA. The incoming council will shape the next steps.

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Roots Stadium Clears Airport Hurdle

The basics: The Oakland Roots and Sol SC want modular stands and field lighting at their Harbor Bay training site, 1150 and 1220 Harbor Bay Parkway. The plan allows up to 24 professional matches with up to 8,000 fans each. The setup would be temporary, running through the 2031 season. The county Airport Land Use Commission voted Sept. 16 to deny airport compatibility, with the airport's representative abstaining. Overriding that denial required a two-thirds council vote.

Why it matters: The council acted directly after the county rejected the project. The vote keeps professional soccer on track in Alameda.

Where things stand: Acting Planning Services Manager Brian McGuire said the council was reviewing only airport land use compatibility. The use permit and design review go to the planning board. "This is very focused on the airport compatibility and the State Aeronautics Act," said Bowden.

Port of Oakland staff said proposed conditions on lighting, waste management and a land use covenant were reasonable and achievable. "The safety and operational stability of the airport is our paramount concern," said Matt Davis of the Port of Oakland.

"There is no other suitable venue for us to play our games in 2027 outside of our training facility here in Alameda," said Lindsay Behrens, president of Oakland Roots and Sol SC.

Business groups lined up in support. Kathy Weber, executive director of Downtown Alameda, said the venue would boost restaurants and shops. Madeline Sadek, president and CEO of the Alameda Chamber and Economic Alliance, cited economic vitality and visitors.

The other side: Abhishek Jain, a Harbor Bay homeowners association board member, said sound and traffic from 8,000-person games would harm the neighborhood and urged a no vote. Haley Lamas, a Bay Farm resident, supported the project but worried about noise. She suggested a one- or two-year agreement with a review before any extension.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Councilmember Tracy Jensen moved the resolution and Boller seconded. It finds the project consistent with the purposes of the State Aeronautics Act and that no other suitable site exists outside the airport influence area. The vote was For: 5, Against: 0, Absent: 0.

What's next: "The draft resolution that's before the planning board on Monday includes a one-year review," said McGuire. Noise and lighting conditions will be set there.

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Referral Rule Narrowed

Why it matters: The change affects how councilmembers put items on the agenda and trims duplicate staff work, while keeping election-season referrals.

Where things stand: The mayor proposed two changes. Members would have to consult staff leaders before filing a referral, and no referrals would be allowed within 90 days of an election for council seats. She said the goal was to "avoid duplicating staff work already underway." Public commenter Pam Lau called the 90-day freeze a significant policy change that needs broader public input and urged the council to move slowly.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Boller pointed to how many referrals are filed in election years and proposed a compromise. "I think that the conferral requirement is justified," he said. The mayor agreed. The council adopted only the requirement to consult the city manager, city attorney or city clerk first. It passed by voice vote with four members present; Jensen had lost her remote connection.

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Minor Items

• Storm emergency: Consent calendar passed 5-0, declaring a local emergency for king tides and winter storms and adding $500,000 for pumps, barricades and lights. Jensen said she would vote no on item 5J, a lease, but the clerk recorded 5-0.
• Public comment: Timothy Hilton asked for legal review and guidance on license plate reader (ALPR) and Flock camera use in police procedures. Dr. Robert Deutsch urged the city to reconsider a long-term lease to Poseidon Aerospace.
• Housing Authority: Zachariah Bowling appointed to the board 4-1, with Jensen voting no.
• Social services: The Social Services and Human Relations Board's 2026-27 work plan was accepted 5-0. It covers a needs assessment, input on Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, domestic violence support and a new Belonging at Home committee.
• Proclamations: The council recognized Native American Heritage Month and Alameda Free Library Day.

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Looking Ahead

Bowden announced a Sunshine Ordinance hearing on Nov. 19, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Bargaining with several city employee groups begins in January 2027, and community meetings on king tide preparedness are planned. Item 7C, a Greenway lease, was withdrawn and not heard.