Big Decisions for San Lorenzo at Tuesday's Board of Supervisors Meeting

It may be in Oakland, but the Alameda County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday will be a big one for San Lorenzo, Ashland and Cherryland. 

Among the items on Tuesday's agenda: 

     A $10 million step forward in the second phase of renovations at the San Lorenzo Library.

     New LED streetlights in unincorporated Alameda as well as a delay in new sidewalks and streets for Ashland and Cherryland.

     The end of an era for District 3 Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker, who will bid farewell after a decade on the board. Below, we summarize the major points. 

Library Expansion Plan: 

On Tuesday, the board will vote on whether to begin the second phase of a project to improve and expand the San Lorenzo Library.

The library underwent a $650,000 facelift this summer, the first phase of a two-part expansion project. The second phase would more than double the building's current size.

Though it will be months, if not years, before the county can break ground, the agreement under consideration Tuesday would set aside $9,425,264 in tax increment revenues funded by the San Lorenzo Sub-Area of the Eden Area Redevelopment Project.

"The San Lorenzo Library's current service population is over 68,000 and the current facility, until recently, was seriously inadequate to meet current technological needs, library service needs and building standards," wrote Chris Bazar, executive director of the Alameda County Redevelopment Agency.

 "The increased library square footage will enable enhanced library programming and services such as a larger children's activity area and a learning center for teens, an expanded public meeting room, additional restrooms and more space for library operations and staff functions. "

Energy-Efficient Street Lights: 

The board will vote on whether to accept an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act loan from the California Energy Commission to replace existing streetlights in unincorporated Alameda County with more efficient LED lights.

The loan would be for $3 million at 3 percent interest. It would fund replacements to be completed by March 31, 2012. 

East 14th/Mission Boulevard Redevelopment Project: 

Supervisors will vote on whether to push back the completion of a $18 million power project in Ashland and Cherryland from the end of this month to the end of 2016. 

The project would replace existing power lines on East 14th Street/Mission Boulevard between 159th and Rufus Court in Ashland and Cherryland with an underground grid. The second phase of the project, between 162nd and 172nd streets, is slated to begin next fall while the third phase between 172nd and Rufus Court is not yet planned.

A Farewell to Alice Lai-Bitker:

It seems that all of Alameda County has been to this month. Bitker will attend her last meeting as a supervisor Tuesday.