Published for the Alameda Magazine website, a few moments ago!
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Alameda is engaged in a competition with other cities in the East Bay to host the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) second campus.

The City of Alameda is garnering public support for its proposal, which is currently endorsed by U.S. Rep. Pete Stark, California Assemblymember Sandré Swanson, Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan and over 20 local businesses and organizations. Supporters say the second campus would stimulate economic activity in West Alameda, bolster the city’s green-tech reputation and serve as a catalyst for further Alameda Point development.

“No other place in the East Bay gives LBNL the space to fully develop a world-class research environment within such a safe and inviting community and also provides ample room adjacent to the Second Campus for spin-off companies to cluster and expand,” Alameda Mayor Marie Gilmore says.

If Alameda Point were chosen, construction would begin in 2013, with occupancy slated for 2016. Roughly 840 employees would be housed at this point, with a second phase to take 30-50 years. The first phase would take up 16 acres and the second would sit on 45 acres, totaling about 6 percent of Alameda Point’s 918 acres.

In January, LBNL announced its plan to open a second campus to house 20 percent of its 4,200 employees, who physically can’t work in the LBNL due to a lack of space. After receiving 21 proposals, LBNL narrowed the choices down to six in May. Alameda Point is a contender, as is the Berkeley Aquatic Park West, Brooklyn Basin (Oakland), Golden Gate Fields (Berkeley/Albany), Richmond Field Station and space in Emeryville and Berkeley.

“The large number of visionary responses created by so many communities in the East Bay is an impressive reminder of the value that our region places on science in service of society,” says Berkeley Lab Director Paul Alivisatos.

In order to be competitive with other finalists, Alameda is planning to give LBNL its land for free.

Show your support or learn more about the cause by attending the public meeting with LBNL on July 13 at 7 p.m. at the Auctions by the Bay Theater. There will also be a community barbeque an hour beforehand across the street — bringing a blanket is suggested. Lawn and window signs are also available at Alameda City Hall in the Economic Development Department, room 120.

For more information, visit www.lab2alameda.org.