Rick Caruso is at it again
Word has it that Magna/Caruso will be (or may already have) filed a lawsuit against the city of Albany. The company allegedly issued an warning to the City Attorney on May 25th stating that they would file suit if the City did not drop the Shoreline Protection Initiative by noon on May 31st. To find out more about this, and to voice your opinion, attend this Monday’s City Council Meeting at 8pm. For more info on the history of this matter click here for past posts or visit www.albanyshoreline.org.
Ironically, the latest scenario is that Tom Bates and the City Council may pursue Magna to bail out of Albany, tear down the stables, rebuild them on the Albany side, and replace them with the commercial development Magna thought Albany would welcome due to lack of revenues. 20 years ago, Berkeley rezoned the stables for exactly that purpose and now it may come to fruition if Magna is kicked out of Albany. Berkeley is now seen as business friendly, at least on the Waterfront, in Frank Stronach’s eyes. It’s quite possible, as it sounds like the Racetrack will not be closing in the next 50 years if those stables are moved to Albany at a cost of millions! So all of the impacts on traffic, etc. would be even worse than if it’s built in Albany with access from Buchanan. Peter Hobart, Albany
Peter-
That’s a ridiculous scenario. Magna the company that is losing $100M a year will spend millions engaging in yet another fight with Albany residents to do something that gets them no nearer to their real goal of slot machine gambling at the track? Since you’re the big mall booster I guess it would make you happy that Magna screwed up our shoreline for ANOTHER 50 years with horse barns on the Bay? A special gift to Albany residents, when they are supposed to be our friends? NOT! But it’s pretty unlikely given that any replacement development in Berkeley would also have to be approved by Berkeley voters. And on waterfront related development I would trust their judgment over yours. In Albany I assume at least half of your fellow Mall supporters will be against the plan you are asking us to fear. It will be great to be united on the next round of fighting these scoundrels! Will you be with us? Brian Parker, Albany
To Those seeking the TRUTH about the Albany Waterfront:
“The Sierra Club” and “The Citizens for the East Shore State Parks”, ALSO have a “development plan” for a mall. Take a look at their literature- do the research people. The difference in thier proposed “Strip Mall” plans along the freeway and Caruso’s “Open Air/Upscale Marketplace” plan in the empty parking lot along the water are these:
“The Sierra Club/CESP” plan assumes the track is leaving (they are not) and oops… they cant find a development company to build it (as in PAY FOR IT)
On the other hand, Magna (the land owner) propose (after spending much time and money getting MANY ideas from Albany residents) a development about the size and look of 4th. Street, using local talent and maximizing the great views along the water. Oh yeah, they are going to PAY to connect the bay trail, clean up the beaches and provide sequrity. One more thing…they’ve got the money to PAY FOR ALL OF THIS—this would be the best thing to ever happen in Albany! Think of all the things Albany could do with the extra tax dollars!
check out: Albanywaterfrontcoalition.org