Nonprofits press Alameda council for Building 525 at Alameda Point; council gives closed‑session direction

Representatives of two Alameda nonprofits used public comment at Tuesday’s City Council meeting to press the city to consider their organizations for the lease of Building 525 at Alameda Point.

Evan Phillippe, representing the Pacific Pinball Museum, told the council the museum has operated in Alameda for 23 years and said the nonprofit has “a significant war chest of almost $1,000,000 to apply to this effort.” Phillippe said the museum hopes to expand and keep a presence in Alameda if awarded space at Building 525.

Sadia Kasikoya Koya, owner of Swings and Wings Family of Services and an occupational therapist, described a plan to expand services with an inclusive sensory museum and early‑education programming. “Our vision includes, building a sensory museum,” she said, and called the proposal “an opportunity for generations to come.” A volunteer, Mariam Sultan, said she had worked with Swings and Wings and urged the council to select the group as “an excellent choice of the space and valuable long term partner to the city and community.”

Those public remarks were made before the council recessed into a closed session on December 16 to discuss several real‑property items, including Building 525. The City Clerk later reported out that for the Building 525 matter staff provided information and the council “provided direction” unanimously. The report did not disclose lease terms or the specific direction given in closed session.

City staff earlier identified negotiating team members for the property discussions, including the interim city manager and the city’s economic development staff; Cushman & Wakefield was listed as an advisor for real‑property negotiations. The clerk’s closed‑session announcement also included other Alameda Point properties, the Alameda Theater at 2317 Central Avenue, and Bay 200 at 2501 Monarch Street.

The council did not take a public vote on any lease at the meeting; direction to staff in closed session means the details will be negotiated outside the public meeting and reported back to the council later. When asked in public session, the clerk said the remaining property items would be reported after the regular meeting once closed session resumed.

The council’s next public action on Building 525 — whether a lease authorization, request for proposals, or other formal step — will be reported at a future meeting once staff returns with details and any recommended items for public vote.