Alameda Point Shortlisted for Lawrence Berkeley National Lab Expansion

Alameda is one of six sites that the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory shortlisted on Monday for a new facility.

The lab is seeking more space for research as well as to consolidate satellite sites in Walnut Creek, Emeryville and West Berkeley. 

"We're thrilled. We think it's wonderful," said Acting City Manager Lisa Goldman. "We put together a really strong proposal and we're pleased that the team that picked the shortlist candidates recognized that."

The other five possible sites are Berkeley Aquatic Park West in West Berkeley; Oakland's Brooklyn Basin; Golden Gate Fields, spanning the cities of Berkeley and Albany; sites in Emeryville/Berkeley that currently house LBNL satellite sites; and the Richmond Field Station owned by the University of California.

Alameda city leaders sweetened the deal for the lab by arranging to offer the land at Alameda Point for free.

"We have green power, which is pretty wonderful for them," said Goldman. "We're offering them the land for free, which I think only one other site was able to do. We're very centrally located in the Bay Area, employees can get here quite easily, we have beautiful views, the site is right near the water near the ."

On Jan. 3, Lawrence Berkeley issued a formal request for communities within a 25-minute drive of the current facility in the hills above UC Berkeley to submit proposals. According to a press release from LBNL, the lab received more than 20 responses by the March 4 deadline.

Alameda's proposal listed the city's assets: Great services, ample power, accessibility, and views. The city's pitch also promised interesting lunchtime options.

"Part of our proposal includes a food court made out of food trucks which they've done very successfully in other locations," Goldman said. 

A decision on a preferred site will likely occur in late November with occupancy scheduled for mid-2016, according to a press release from the LBNL.