2018 Year in Review: Growth and Change
Growth and Change
2018 was a year of significant change and growth for both Alameda and Alameda Peeps. As our community continued to evolve, we saw new businesses, policy changes, and important civic engagement.
Cannabis Ordinance
The City Council adopted a cannabis ordinance and launched a process to bring qualified cannabis businesses to Alameda. This was a significant policy shift that generated much discussion in the Alameda Peeps community, with members sharing information, asking questions, and engaging in thoughtful dialogue about the implications for our city.
New Alameda Point Businesses
Alameda Point continued to develop as a hub for new businesses. The Rake at Admiral Maltings opened, bringing a new dining and drinking destination to the area. This was part of a broader trend of revitalization at Alameda Point, and Alameda Peeps members were among the first to support these new local businesses.
Ocean Cleanup Launch
2018 saw the launch of the Ocean Cleanup, the world’s first ocean cleanup system. While this was a global initiative, it had special significance for Alameda, given our proximity to the Bay and our community’s environmental consciousness. Alameda Peeps members followed the project with interest and shared updates about its progress.
Measure K Election
The November 2018 election included Measure K, which would have amended the City Charter to incorporate the rent stabilization ordinance with modifications. The measure failed, with 60.31% voting no. The election generated significant discussion in Alameda Peeps, with members sharing information about the measure and its potential impacts.
The defeat of Measure K meant that Alameda’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance 3148 remained in place as originally adopted. This election demonstrated the importance of civic engagement and informed voting, values that Alameda Peeps has always encouraged.
Jackson Park Renaming Effort Begins
In 2018, a community effort began to rename Jackson Park, Alameda’s first public park, which had been named after President Andrew Jackson in 1909. Community members raised concerns about Jackson’s legacy, including his role in the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears, as well as his ownership of enslaved people.
The effort gained momentum with a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting in May 2018, where community members advocated for renaming the park. This began what would become a multi-year community organizing effort that generated extensive discussion in the Alameda Peeps community about historical memory, racial justice, and how we choose to honor figures in our public spaces.
The Jackson Park renaming effort would become a recurring topic of discussion in Alameda Peeps over the coming years, demonstrating the community’s commitment to addressing difficult questions about our history and working toward a more inclusive and just representation in our public spaces.
City Council Dynamics
2018 also saw ongoing discussions in the Alameda Peeps community about city council proceedings and governance. Community members actively engaged in conversations about council decisions, public service, and local leadership, reflecting the community’s commitment to staying informed and involved in local government matters.
Looking Forward
As 2018 came to a close, we reflected on a year of growth, change, and continued community engagement. We looked forward to 2019 with anticipation for what the new year would bring.