From: Dawna Dowdell-Dos Santos
To: CITYCOUNCIL-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Agenda item 3A for 17Jun2025
Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 12:05:30 PM
Dear City leaders,
It would be great for the city to support and maintain venues that will be used by local non- profits and the community in general.
Please consider this for the O Club as well as Grand View Pavillon on Island Dr.
Thank you in advance for your time and commitment to the city.
All the best
Dawna Dowdell-Dos Santos
30+ year Alameda resident
2007 Co-Grand Marshall City of Alameda 4th of July Parade All-Around Community volunteer
Member and or board member of several non-profits in the City of Alameda
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. If you are not the intended recipient you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited.
From: Barbara Krummel
To: CITYCOUNCIL-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Public Comment – Agenda Item 3A, June 17, City Council meeting Date: Monday, June 16, 2025 5:48:08 PM
Hello,
My comments are regarding item 3A on the June 17, City Council meeting agenda.
I respectfully request that the City consider allocating a portion of Alameda Point’s Improvement Program (CIP) budget to assess the “Officers Club” as a revitalized community and event center. Our organization, the Alameda Welfare Council, has held our major fundraiser at the O’Club for many years. It is important for us to host the event in Alameda and this space is the only one large enough to accommodate the almost 300 people who attend each year. We have noticed over the past few years that the facility requires maintenance and updating.
Here are some comments we shared with ARPD after our last event in September of 2024:
Positive: The flower beds in front are lovely and really add so much to the location.
Negative: There were rat droppings in the room where the tables and chairs are stored. The kitchen is not clean enough for our caterer. He feels it is necessary to clean it thoroughly before beginning set up.
Suggestions: We would love to see an in-house sound system. thank you for your time,
Barbara Krummel
Alameda Welfare Council, President
From: Amy Wooldridge
To: CITYCOUNCIL-List
Cc: Ross McCarthy; Justin Long; Erin Smith
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Public Comment – Agenda Item 3A: Vision for the Alameda Point O’ Club Date: Monday, June 16, 2025 5:38:12 PM
Hello Mayor and Councilmembers,
This is to provide context regarding the recent concerns you received about the O'Club. The facility serves as the primary event space for the Recreation and Parks Department (ARPD), supporting many non-profits and local organizations. The facility's large commercial kitchen from its Navy days has been mainly decommissioned with only minimal services for refrigeration, ice machine, and a warming oven. In early September 2024, ARPD staff was made aware of rodents and worked with Public Works (PW) to address the issue. PW sealed the building, set traps and installed a high pitch sound wave system that humans can't hear and rats don't like. Staff believes the issue has been addressed as we have not received complaints or identified any recent rat activity since then.
ARPD coordinates with an outside janitorial provider to clean the kitchen, both pre and post events. With concerns raised last fall, ARPD coordinated with this provider to increase their service quality and has not received complaints from renters since then. If there are continued quality of performance issues, then staff will address it or seek another vendor. The Alameda Welfare Council last rented the facility nearly a year ago so they may be basing their observations from that experience and work on rodent control and kitchen cleanliness has been done since then. Director Long already reached out to the Alameda Welfare Council and is working to meet with them to further discuss their concerns. In addition, PW and ARPD will continue to closely monitor the facility's condition.
Over the past five years the City invested in facility improvements including replacement of HVAC, carpets, windows, roofing/gutters and limited kitchen equipment as well as bathroom renovation, landscaping, and exterior/interior paint, totaling an investment of $744,000. An additional $176,000 is appropriated in the FY2025-27 CIP for HVAC and electrical work.
While this basic repair and replacement will continue, it does not account for large scale renovations like the kitchen and other areas of the building that are not currently in use and are in decline. Given the O'Club's location, legacy, and potential, a master planning process is a logical next step and would include a structural assessment of the building because the building is settling, causing cross slope issues. The master planning process would involve community stakeholders, explore adaptive reuse possibilities, and chart a path forward— balancing preservation, programming, and feasibility. Funds could be re-appropriated for this effort or requested in a future budget process. There may also be future opportunities to require a developer of the surrounding area to contribute towards the renovation of this building. This master plan could inform that process and prioritize efforts.
Thank you,
Amy
Amy Wooldridge
Assistant City Manager
City of Alameda
(510) 747-4709
[email protected]
www.alamedaca.gov
From: Nancy Sylvestri-Elzig <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 3:39 AM
To: CITYCOUNCIL-List <[email protected]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Public Comment – Agenda Item 3A: Vision for the Alameda Point O’ Club
Dear Mayor and City Councilmembers,
I’m writing to share a vision for the Alameda Point Officer’s Club (the “O’ Club”) and to respectfully request that the City consider allocating a portion of Alameda Point’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget to assess its potential as a revitalized community and event center.
The O’ Club remains one of the few city-owned facilities capable of hosting large-scale events with ground-level access. With a main hall that seats 300, multiple breakout rooms, and a rich legacy tied to Alameda’s military history, this property offers a unique and underutilized civic asset.
While I understand the city has many competing priorities, reinvesting in this facility could yield both cultural and economic returns. With thoughtful restoration and ADA/code compliance upgrades, the O’ Club could serve as a:
Premier event venue for weddings, fundraisers, and public celebrations Revenue generator through rentals, similar to other East Bay event spaces Anchor for local business partnerships with caterers, vendors, and service providers
Reflection of Alameda’s heritage—honoring our Navy base history and community memories
Other public event spaces in Alameda are either cost-prohibitive, limited in size, or not accessible. By contrast, the O’ Club could be restored with a modest investment—especially in partnership with local businesses, foundations, or through grant opportunities (many of which support preservation of former military facilities and civic infrastructure). I believe there is significant community interest and capacity to support this vision.
Even if a feasibility study was previously done, I respectfully ask the Council to consider revisiting the potential of this facility through a fresh lens, taking into account today’s needs and community resources. If there is any opportunity for citizen involvement in exploring this vision—formally or informally—I would be honored to contribute. I have a deep personal connection to the O’ Club and a strong commitment to helping identify a sustainable, community-focused path forward.
I respectfully ask that the Council:
1. Consider allocating funds for a feasibility study or structural assessment of the O’ Club
2. Initiate community conversations or partnerships to gauge public/private support
3. Keep the facility in long-term capital planning rather than allow for its decline and loss
This could be a defining opportunity to restore a building with deep roots in Alameda’s past and offer future generations a space to gather, celebrate, and connect.
Thank you for your time and service to the community.
Sincerely,
Nancy Elzig
Alameda Resident
510-388-9852
From: Denine Keltner
To: CITYCOUNCIL-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re Item 3A
Date: Sunday, June 15, 2025 2:56:50 PM
My previous email is about the fund $ that should be used to clean up and maintain the “O” Club Dee Keltner
Friends & Family multiply Joy!
From: Denine Keltner
To: CITYCOUNCIL-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] “O” Club condition & Needs!
Date: Sunday, June 15, 2025 2:52:55 PM
The O club has been allowed to deteriorate badly. The Alameda Welfare Council has rented the space for many years, as have many other organizations. Our catering people must clean the kitchen before they can even bring in their food. They have told me there are rodent droppings all over. In addition, some of our luncheon guests will not drink the tapwater, for concern of the water conditions and the very old pipes.
Alameda has few gathering spaces the size of the “O” club. In order to continue renting the facility, something must be done to offer proper cleanliness and appropriate healthy conditions.
Best,
Dee Keltner
1137 Bay St
Alameda
[email protected]
From: Sharon Stehr
To: CITYCOUNCIL-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Park and Rec-"O" Club facility improvements needed Date: Saturday, June 14, 2025 4:49:40 PM
Importance: High
To Alameda City Council,
I’m on the BOD of the Alameda Welfare Council and we use the “O” Club each year for our major fundraiser, "The Summer Faire." I’m writing to encourage you to vote for funds to be presented to Park and Rec for major improvements to the “O” Club. This facility is a significant asset to the city and requires substantial improvements.
The kitchen isn’t usable as is and should be upgraded with new equipment that would make it desirable for prepping food. An upgraded kitchen could bring monies into the city by renting it out to individuals and organizations.
The interiors of the “O” Club are ugly and the wall paneling from the 1950’s should be removed and walls painted. A professional inspection would undoubtedly uncover many other needs for improvement.
Please help our community improve this desirable facility.
Thank you,
Sharon Y. Stehr
510-517-1873
144 Weymouth Court
Alameda, CA94502
From: Nancy Sylvestri-Elzig
To: CITYCOUNCIL-List
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Public Comment – Agenda Item 3A: Vision for the Alameda Point O’ Club Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 3:39:41 AM
Dear Mayor and City Councilmembers,
I’m writing to share a vision for the Alameda Point Officer’s Club (the “O’ Club”) and to respectfully request that the City consider allocating a portion of Alameda Point’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget to assess its potential as a revitalized community and event center.
The O’ Club remains one of the few city-owned facilities capable of hosting large-scale events with ground-level access. With a main hall that seats 300, multiple breakout rooms, and a rich legacy tied to Alameda’s military history, this property offers a unique and underutilized civic asset.
While I understand the city has many competing priorities, reinvesting in this facility could yield both cultural and economic returns. With thoughtful restoration and ADA/code compliance upgrades, the O’ Club could serve as a:
Premier event venue for weddings, fundraisers, and public celebrations Revenue generator through rentals, similar to other East Bay event spaces Anchor for local business partnerships with caterers, vendors, and service providers Reflection of Alameda’s heritage—honoring our Navy base history and community memories
Other public event spaces in Alameda are either cost-prohibitive, limited in size, or not accessible. By contrast, the O’ Club could be restored with a modest investment—especially in partnership with local businesses, foundations, or through grant opportunities (many of which support preservation of former military facilities and civic infrastructure). I believe there is significant community interest and capacity to support this vision.
Even if a feasibility study was previously done, I respectfully ask the Council to consider revisiting the potential of this facility through a fresh lens, taking into account today’s needs and community resources. If there is any opportunity for citizen involvement in exploring this vision—formally or informally—I would be honored to contribute. I have a deep personal connection to the O’ Club and a strong commitment to helping identify a sustainable, community-focused path forward.
I respectfully ask that the Council:
1. Consider allocating funds for a feasibility study or structural assessment of the O’ Club
2. Initiate community conversations or partnerships to gauge public/private support
3. Keep the facility in long-term capital planning rather than allow for its decline and loss This could be a defining opportunity to restore a building with deep roots in Alameda’s past and offer future generations a space to gather, celebrate, and connect.
Thank you for your time and service to the community.
Sincerely,
Nancy Elzig
Alameda Resident
510-388-9852