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Alameda board approves Radium performing‑arts center development‑plan amendment, preserves museum view corridors
Summary
The Planning Board adopted a development‑plan amendment for the Radium performing‑arts center at Alameda Point, finding it consistent with prior EIR findings and historic‑district guidance while scheduling future design review and council consideration of the ground lease.
The Alameda Planning Board voted March 23 to approve a development‑plan amendment for the proposed Radium performing‑arts center and accompanying public plaza at Alameda Point, finding the project consistent with the Alameda Point EIR and historic‑district design guidance.
Staff framed the project as an anchor for the Waterfront Town Center and noted the analysis by an outside consultant finding that the design meets Secretary of the Interior standards for rehabilitation where applicable. "The plan preserves critical view corridors from the Naval Air Museum and establishes a new public plaza and a pedestrian promenade that will reconnect the museum to the waterfront," staff said during the presentation.
Applicant representatives described the program for a roughly 35,000‑square‑foot building with a 550‑seat hall, a two‑story lobby, and a restaurant with elevated views toward San Francisco. Architect Leslie Cliff said the building massing was shifted west to protect the principal museum‑to‑water view and that the project will return for final design review and a tentative parcel map before construction.
Landscape designers showed how the plaza, promenade and a reworked street section between the museum and the theater would restore historic sightlines, create flexible outdoor performance spaces, and provide storm‑water management on site. Public commenters from the arts community — including representatives of the West End Arts District and Radium's board — urged the board to approve the amendment and described the theater as a cultural anchor for Alameda Point.
Why it matters: The board's action clears a central policy milestone. The applicant must next obtain City Council approval for the ground‑lease/purchase option, complete fundraising, and return to the board for design review and parcelization before site work. Staff repeated that EIR mitigation measures and adopted design guidelines will govern the detailed design and construction.
The board adopted the draft resolution by voice vote with no recorded substantive opposition. The resolution finds that the project is consistent with prior environmental review and design standards and directs staff to move the project forward for council consideration of the ground lease.
Next steps: Project goes to City Council next month for ground‑lease consideration; after fundraising the applicant will submit final design documents, a tentative parcel map and construction permits.
