Can We Reclaim Albany’s Shoreline for a Park?
Yes. A magnificent park right on our shoreline can be ours. That's why the Citizens for the Albany Shoreline, Citizens for Eastshore Parks and the Sierra Club have developed a Citizens Waterfront Plan for the redevelopment of the Golden Gate Fields property. The Citizens Waterfront Plan calls for 85% of the entire property to be added to the Eastshore State Park. The Citizens Waterfront Plan maximizes open spaces with an expanded beach, allows for the development of sensational parklands along the waterfront, protects views from Fleming Point, includes major wetland and creek restoration and playing fields for kids and adults.

Why is the Albany Section of Shoreline so Important?
Albany is located at the very heart of the new Eastshore State Park. The new owner of the racetrack proposes to build a gigantic development on the property. Development proposals by Caruso Affiliated and Magna Entertainment Corporation would damage us in two ways. First, they would permanently prevent these lands from being included in the Park. Second, equally bad, the proposed waterfront mall would practically sever the park in two, eliminating the continuous shoreline park we have all worked for. Should the Caruso Waterfront Mall plan be approved and built, the Park will never be whole.

What Portion of the Albany Waterfront is in the State Park Now?
The sliver of sandy beach and the Plateau, Neck, and Bulb are already in the Park (the Bulb portion is still in the process of being transferred from the City to the State.) Not included: the racetrack, all its parking lots, stables, and operations yards.

What is the History of the Eastshore State Park?
Thirty years of effort were met with jubilant success on December 6, 2002 when California designated our shoreline as the Eastshore State Park. For decades this vision has inspired thousands in our community to work toward reclaiming our waterfront. Developing our shoreline into the park it can be will take some time. Parcels along the shore, such as Golden Gate Fields, sit in the middle of the Park. Areas the owners are willing to sell should be included in the Park. We should not allow development that will interfere with creating a continuous shoreline park.

This new State Park stretches 8 miles from the Bay Bridge to Point Isabel in Richmond. To make the park happen, thousands banded together to ward off continual development proposals. Ballot initiatives were passed to protect shorelines in Albany, Berkeley and Emeryville. Park bond measures were passed to fund the creation of our Park.We now have a shoreline treasure to complete – including fending off this latest developer’s plans to bury Albany’s shoreline under massive development.

What if the Track Leaves Albany?
The Citizens Waterfront Plan proposes modest development which will provide a substantially larger tax base for Albany compared to current racetrack tax revenues. Environmentally-sensitive development would be built on about 15% of the land on the east side near the freeway, acting as a noise buffer for the park. This leaves most of the land for park and expanded beach while the development benefits from having an excellent park at its entranceways. Office and retail space of 110,000 square feet; and a hotel of 300 rooms. A total of 325,000 square feet of development tucked by I-880 freeway, providing a freeway noise buffer for the Park. About 550 parking spaces, under buildings. Variable height buildings not exceeding three stories.

Can the Developer Do What It Wants on the Albany Waterfront?
No. Magna Corporation bought Golden Gate Fields a few years ago knowing that it has been a horseracing track for sixty years. Malls are not allowed under the City's waterfront zoning.

Does the City of Albany Have the Power to Allow This Development?
No. The City of Albany does not have the authority. Albany’s shoreline protection initiative (Measure C), passed by three fourths of Albany’s voters, gives the voters the final say in any changes like this on the waterfront.

Can the Voters Say No to the Magna Development Plan?
Albany voters can simply say no to the Caruso Waterfront Mall.

What if the Track Stays?
The racetrack can choose to stay as it is. We should not allow new development alongside the racetrack. If the track leaves, the Citizens Waterfront Plan provides development, ample revenue for Albany, and a splendid park with an expanded beachfront. Magna Corporation recognizes that horse racing is in a steady decline nationwide. Sports fans prefer everything from football to golf over horse racing. Economics are forcing cost cutting measures in horse racing and may force the track to move inland where land and operating costs are cheaper. Golden Gate Fields is old and needs costly upkeep. Magna purchased a large tract of land in Dixon and plans to build a large track there, fueling the belief that they will eventually close the track in Albany.

What About the Economic Needs of the City of Albany?
Currently Albany gets $565,000 as its yearly share of the betting at the track plus about $235,000 in other waterfront taxes for total of $800,000 per year. The Citizens Waterfront Plan provides reasonable development tucked near the freeway and allows the remaining lands for waterfront park, beach and playing fields. The Citizens Waterfront Plan would also make certain that the city, school district and library fund continue to receive at least the same level of taxes they currently receive from waterfront property taxes.

How Would We Get Racetrack Lands into the Park?
When the racetrack is ready to move, we can negotiate a purchase of their lands. The Citizens Waterfront Plan for park with development can be included in that purchase agreement using State and Regional park bond money to purchase the lands. This is how we acquired the Santa Fe Railroad waterfront properties for the park: negotiated agreements and park bond funding. Recently the excess racetrack lands south of Gilman Street were purchased and put into the park for soccer and baseball fields.

More FAQ's