About the Proposal for LBNL’s Second Campus at Golden Gate Fields

Q: What is Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)?

A: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) is a member of the national laboratory system supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through its Office of Science. It is managed by the University of California (UC) and is charged with conducting unclassified research across a wide range of scientific disciplines with an emphasis on advancing the scope of human knowledge and seeking technical solutions to some of the greatest problems facing humankind, including carbon reduction and other issues related to climate change. LBNL’s primary campus is located on a 202-acre site in the hills above the UC Berkeley campus.

Q: Why is LBNL looking to develop another campus?

A: This second campus is intended to consolidate laboratory programs that are currently in leased spaces throughout the East Bay. The new campus will also provide room for Lab growth.

Q: What process is LBNL using to select the site for the second campus?

A: A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was issued in January 2011; in May, six finalists were named. The Golden Gate Fields (GGF) site is one of those six. (Other sites are in the cities of Richmond, Berkeley, Emeryville, Alameda, and Oakland). Each of the “finalists” are compiling information and data requested by the Lab. A decision on the preferred site is scheduled to be announced in late November.

Q: Who are the developers for the Golden Gate Fields site?

A: The Stronach Group, the owners of Golden Gate Fields Racetrack are the developers of the site and are responsible for the submission to LBNL, and any applications to the city for development.

Q: How much open space will be set aside for the community?

A: The developer is aware of the community’s strong desire for accessible, public open space at the waterfront. In addition, LBNL has stated that it desires an open campus design -- meaning that the site is not expected to be “gated.”

Q: What about the Bay Trail?

A: It is our understanding that the current plan incorporates the extension of the Bay Trail through Albany.

Q: What projects will be at the second campus?

A: During the first phase of development, it is expected that three facilities currently dispersed around the East Bay (Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), Emeryville; Joint Genome Institute (JGI), Walnut Creek; and much of the Life Sciences Division in West Berkeley) will be moved to the new site.

Q: Since LBNL is a government institution and does not pay taxes, how will Albany maintain its revenue?

A: The City of Albany, Albany Unified School District, and the Albany Library receive a total of approximately $1.7 million annually from Golden Gate Fields. During the 2010 Voices to Vision process, residents of Albany were very clear that any changes to the site provide two important things to the city and the community: new public open space and revenues that match the current taxes paid by GGF. Discussions are already underway to ensure that the developers identify how the city will retain its current tax levels throughout the construction period and after LBNL occupies the site (should Albany be the selected location for LBNL).

Q: What else is planned for the site beyond LBNL?

A: The LBNL project is described as being in multiple phases. Phase One includes about 500,000 sq. ft. plus parking; future phases could add an additional 1.5 million sq. ft. plus parking. GGF sits on approximately 140 acres (about 100 acres in Albany and about 40 acres in Berkeley). From what has been discussed during this preliminary period, the developers appear to be considering commercial labs, a hotel, some retail, a scienceand site-focused “interpretive center,” and possibly housing, at the combined Albany/Berkeley property.

Q: Will the project conform to the recommended guidelines established during Voices to Vision?

A: The developers are aware of the Voices to Vision process, and were briefed extensively about community concerns. It should be noted, however, that Voices to Vision only studied the 100 acres in Albany and the property includes approximately 40 additional acres in Berkeley. The developers appear committed to providing new public open space, and to the most advanced principles of sustainability. GGF’s development team includes LEED certified architects, landscape architects, field ecologists, archaeologists, economists, engineers, hydrologists, and others.

Q: If Albany is the selected site, will Albany voters exercise their rights through a Measure C vote?

A: The proposed development includes uses that are not currently allowed in Albany’s Waterfront District. Measure C, passed by Albany voters in 1989, requires any necessary zoning changes to be approved directly, by a majority of Albany voters.

Q: What about the economic impact on existing Albany businesses, traffic on Buchanan and Gilman streets, transport of hazardous materials, potential of sea level rise and earthquake?

A: Like the community, the city has many questions that are not answered at this early stage of the process. Because we know the community has many questions, we are trying to find out as much as possible, and believe that the series of city-hosted sessions and the LBNL meeting will begin to reveal a lot more information.

Q: What will happen to the horse racing track if the proposed development is built at the Albany site?

A: The horse track, grandstand, and all related facilities will be demolished to make room for the new development. The owners are committed to horseracing and are working to identify another site in Northern California for the track.

Q: How can Albany residents get information and participate in the process?

A: The City of Albany is hosting a set of informational and participatory sessions, along the lines of Voices to Vision (identical information at each session) on July 30, July 31, and August 1 at the Albany Community Center, to be followed by sessions in August and September. The city has hired Fern Tiger Associates, the firm that designed and facilitated Voices to Vision, to conceive and manage the community process. There will be numerous ways for the community to learn more about the project (which includes more than just LBNL) and hope this will enable the community to grow its understanding as the proposal becomes more detailed, and as it changes as a result of community input. Every effort is being made to ensure that Albany voices are heard. The Stronach Group, owners of GGF, will reimburse the city for these services and for city time spent on this project.

Additionally, LBNL will be hosting a public meeting in Albany on August 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center. Please visit www.voicestovision.com for more information.