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About West Alameda
Yesterday...
Webster Street has been the historic heart of West Alameda for nearly
150 years. During the 19th century, the street served as the end
point of the transcontinental railroad and the point of departure
for ferries to San Francisco.
During the first half of the 20th century, the
popular Neptune Beach at the southern end of Webster Street entertained
and amused visitors from all over Northern California. The Popsicle™
was first introduced at Neptune Beach. During the late 1900’s,
Webster Street served the needs of thousands of officers and enlisted
men and women at the Naval Air Station. And, peanut butter
was first produced commercially on Webster Street in 1932!
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Today...
Today, Webster Street and West Alameda are waking to a new identity.
After the closure of the Naval Air Station in 1997, base land has
begun integration into the city as Alameda Point. Webster Street
is in the midst of a major renaissance, with facelifts for historically
significant buildings like the Neptune Hotel and several new businesses
in brand new buildings. The recently completed streetscape
project provides appealing amenities such as historic lighting,
transit plazas, benches and trees, and the West End has been discovered
by lots of new businesses - with a resulting increase in foot traffic.
Webster Street is known for its wide array of
international restaurants and specialty shops serving Alameda and
the East Bay. A farmers' market offers fresh local produce every
Tuesday morning and, during the summer months, every Thursday evening
as well. Special events like the summer Concerts at the Cove, Wine
and Dine, the Fourth of July parade, the Webster Street Jam, Halloween
on Webster Street and Santa Visits Webster Street bring thousands
to appreciate all West Alameda has to offer.
A new community of homes at Bayport, around the
corner from Webster Street, has attracted new families, and Catellus
is beginning to implement plans for Alameda Landing, a 97-acre mixed-use
waterfront development on reclaimed Navy land along the estuary.
At Alameda Point, residents have moved into existing housing, and
businesses continue to locate in military buildings, including Auctions
by the Bay, a monthly estate and antique auctions in a beautifully
upgraded Art Deco movie palace, Bladium, a huge sports and fitness
center located in one of the hangars, and the USS Hornet aircraft
carrier, now offering a museum and an exciting event venue. Ferries
depart regularly from the Ferry Terminal near Alameda Point, taking
passengers to and from San Francisco and Oakland. West Alameda even
has its own wineries – including the award-winning Rosenblum
Cellars.
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Tomorrow...
What gives for the future? Lots of change, that's for sure.
- Ongoing facade grants will continue to improve
the look of existing businesses.
- Construction continues on the remaining new
homes planned at the new Bayport community.
- Catellus will continue to develop Alameda
Landing into a sustainable community including housing, retail,
office space, and public access along the estuary.
- The City of Alameda and master developer SunCal
work toward the final transfer of the Navy base, which will add
an 800-acre mixed-use project to our city.
- An ever expanding array of restaurants and
new shops.
- More great events drawing thousands of visitors
to West Alameda.
This is an exciting time for West Alameda. Take
a look around and see how you can help us shape and re-create this
part of town!
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