San Leandro Marina Alts Study_Final

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4. Alternatives guests and conference attendees. The Marina Park Alternative would create a good transition from urban to harbor- and wildlife -related uses, since it would incorporate a wide range of features into its use mix. The uses proposed within the Harbor Basin and those in the upland areas would, in combination, reinforce and elevate the status of the San Leandro Marina as a local attraction. A problem posed by the wetland enhancement could be an influx of gulls to the harbor areas to forage for food. Aquatic Park Alternative As described in Section 2, this alternative would include non -motorized boating uses, a multi -use perimeter promenade along the interior edge of the Harbor Basin, and a small, publicly accessible beach area with stepped shoreline seating and a stage area, and several boardwalks/vista points overlooking the water. Much of the Harbor Basin would be converted into a series of wildlife refugia, marsh areas with a water trail surrounding the islands. These types of facilities would offer less variety in terms of uses, but would nevertheless relate well to the proposed landside mix. As with the Marina Park Alternative, the boating areas, walking trails, and the beach/stage would offer recreational opportunities to the hotel patrons and residents since they would attract visitors and encourage them to explore the project vicinity. The wildlife refugia in the Harbor Basin would provide visual interest to the surrounding areas and would offer ample opportunities for activities such as bird -watching and photography. The Aquatic Park Alternative would differ from Marina Park Alternative in that it would not be Marina -oriented and might appear less active as a result. However, it would nevertheless be aesthetically pleasing to the public and would fit in well with the planned surrounding shoreline area uses. Nature Park Alternative The Nature Park Alternative would establish a diverse wetland environment at the Harbor Basin focusing on outdoor learning and passive recreational uses. The basin itself would be dominated by a series of wildlife refugia while the perimeter promenade would emphasize outdoor learning. Other than a boardwalk -type structure above certain portions of the Harbor Basin, the basin would appear largely natural and, as such, would constitute a departure from the urbanized look of the structures nearby. Non -motorized boating would be permitted within the Harbor Basin and a 0.75 -mile long loop promenade would be created around the harbor perimeter. This alternative could be perceived as less compatible from a boating perspective than what is proposed under the first two alternatives although it would also enhance the overall look and feel of the harbor area. Because the uses proposed under this alternative would focus on outdoor learning, they would offer a respite from the bustling hotel and office areas nearby. However, the interface between the urban shoreline and the natural Harbor Basin may present some challenges, since the noise from incoming/outgoing traffic and visitors could potentially displace wildlife from the harbor. As with other alternatives, an influx of sea gulls and other disturbance -tolerant bird species could San Leandro Marina Harbor Basin 4-7 ESA / 210461 Alternatives Study March 2011