Mayor Jerry Brown says he would like to see big-box retail stores, a hotel, a convention and entertainment center and possibly an Indian-run casino that would be located on the strip of land near the eastern end of the Bay Bridge. Two council members--Nancy Nadel and Jane Brunner--favor the 2.54 million-sf business park, which could potentially create more than 9,000 jobs. Council members Dick Spees and Ignacio De La Fuente and city manager Robert Bobb have expressed interest in a corporate campus/retail project, a deal that could generate between $992 million and $2.1 million in taxes.

After the Bay Conservation and Development Commission rejected the 1998 Oakland Base Reuse Authority's plan because it failed to emphasize maritime uses, the port and city considered switching the parcels at the 422-acre base. The swap was approved last month. The city will now take the western half. This enables the port to expand its maritime and rail activities on its eastern portion and allows the city to create a development to serve as the "gateway" to Oakland, rendering the 1998 reuse plan for a business and technology park east of Maritime Street null and void.

The Bay Conservation and Development Commission is now waiting on the amended reuse plan, which must be approved before the Army will turn over the land. The base officially closed in September 1999 and the Army is expected to turn over the property early next year. City Council members are expected to make full recommendations at its Feb. 20 meeting.