Alameda Point

by Judith Lynch

Alameda has a time warp wonderland out at our west end. There you can find spacious greensward, breathtaking vistas, massive ships at anchor, and more than 80 Moderne style buildings, ranging from enormous hangars to sturdy bungalows reserved for Chief Petty Officers, and from the Officers Club to the Bachelor Enlisted Men’s mess hall and dormitory.

This large landfill portion of the Island was initially Naval Air Station-Alameda; now the property is being reconfigured as a new neighborhood called Alameda Point. History abounds there, with many significant structures from the 1930s and ‘40s. You can recognize these buildings by their horizontal demeanor, oval columns, monumental sculptures of mythical beasts, and curvaceous horizontal edges called "speedlines." The massive structures in "Hangar Row" were designed by the prominent architect Albert Kahn. Even the landscaping has heritage value: many of the trees and plants are from the 1939 World’s Fair on Treasure Island. Combined, these stylistically related structures and lush greenery give the historic sections of Alameda Point a coherent quality well worth preserving.

Initially no important architects were associated with base properties, because the designs were standard "Navy issue." However, recently research by architectural historians Melisa Gadreau and Chris Verplanck found that "the father of modern factory design," architect Albert Kahn, designed the jumbo structures that constitute Hangar Row. According to Verplanck, "The hangars at NAS Alameda are typical of his designs, with telescoping doors, monitor windows and large corner pylons serving as door enclosures." It is thrilling to view these monumental hangars, such haunting touchstones of military undertakings.

After seeing service during World War II, the Korean conflict, and the war in Viet Nam, the NAS was closed in 1997, and the City of Alameda began to ponder new uses for the area, including ways to preserve its legacy of military service. When base decommissioning was set in motion, the Navy hired Bay Area architectural historian Sally Woodbridge to assess the character and importance of the site. Her 1992 report recommended establishing a historic district to protect more than 80 she deemed worthy of preservation. In 1999 the Alameda City Council used her report as the basis for designation of the Alameda Point Historic District. Their resolution concluded that the former naval base is significant because "the buildings have a continuity of style and a high degree of architectural integrity enhanced by the landscaping and parklike open spaces."

The city also made a practical contribution to preservation at Alameda Point when they renovated the former Administration Building, renamed it City Hall West, and installed there the Departments of Public Works and Development Services. In honor of this endeavor—a show of faith in the preservation of Island military history—the renovation received a prestigious Historic Preservation Award in 2005. According to the newsletter of the Alameda Architectural Preservation Society (AAPS), this "sensitive remodeling . . . has clearly demonstrated that reuse of a historic structure is both practical and possible. City Hall West is a positive example for others to follow."

According AAPS member architectural historian Beth Krase, "Our group has identified the most significant structures to preserve and reuse; the core administrative buildings, the seaplane and land-based hangars, the senior officers’ houses, and the Flight Control Tower. We also want to add some important structures that were marooned outside the original district boundaries, such as the Air Control. Tower and the barracks for WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). We are working with the Naval Air Station Museum and others to save these tangible links to Alameda’s role in World War II."

Several crucial issues affect the fate of vintage buildings at Alameda Point. First, the Navy assumed responsibility for proposing that those eligible for both the status and protection of listing on the National Register of Historic Places be added to that list. That was seventeen years ago, and the base is still not listed on the Register. Second, part of the historic district is located in a geological phenomenon called a 100 year flood plain. Structures in that area need to be raised about 3 feet to prevent flood damage. Finally, the Navy is required to clean up toxic waste, including recently uncovered radioactive materials, and this procedure is crawling at a pace that makes a snail look speedy.

Plans for Alameda Point by potential developer SunCal are being discussed at community meetings. For information about the next such session, call Development Services, 749-5800. Beforehand, acquaint yourself with our legacy of naval history. The Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment agency has prepared an informative map and self-guided tour. Go to alameda-point.com and click on "Alameda Point." Then look at the bottom of your screen to the left and click on "Tour Alameda Point." Visit and see for yourself the tangible evidence of the importance of the former naval station to Alameda’s architectural heritage.

 Judith Lynch organizes lectures at the Alameda Museum, serves on the Historical Advisory Board, and teaches at Washington School.