City officials may take a step tonight toward establishing a ferry service between Berkeley and San Francisco by voting to conduct an environmental review of several proposed terminal sites.
The $700,000 review, which would be funded and performed by the Bay Area Water Transit Authority, would analyze the feasibility of specific sites at University Avenue and Gilman Street in Berkeley and Buchanan Street in Albany.
The transbay route, expected to serve up to 1,800 passengers daily by 2025, would be part of a 10-year expansion program by the water transit agency to add seven more ferry routes across the bay in addition to its current six.
"It (the city’s approval) is not a legal requirement, but ... It makes us feel more confident that we are building something the community wants," said agency chief executive officer Steve Castleberry.
Passenger fares and Regional Measure 2, funded by bridge tolls, would provide the $12 million required for Berkeley’s two ferries and $3.2 million annually for ferry operating costs and connecting bus services.
However, the measure would not cover the construction cost of the estimated $10 million terminal, which would likely come from federal grants with the stipulation that 20 percent is matched by local sources.
"That doesn’t mean that the city needs to write a check for $2 million," Castleberry said. "There are a lot of funding sources that are available to close that funding gap of $2 million and we think it’s worthwhile to proceed continuing to find that last $2 million."
According to a public opinion poll of 600 people in Berkeley and Albany, 75 percent said they thought it was a good idea to establish a ferry service, and 15 percent were against the route.
The Berkeley Transportation Commission recommended that the city council endorse the review, but some had concerns about possible environmental effects and the use of city funding for the terminal, especially at the expense of existing modes of transit.
"We are not getting in line to cheer, but it would be worthwhile to see what the impacts of the ferry service in Berkeley are," said commissioner Nathan Landau.
Paul Kamen, chair of the Waterfront Commission, which also recommended conducting the review, suggested that ticket prices be kept high to reduce government subsidies, leave room for bicyclist and transit rider discounts and keep the operation at a permitted scale. He also suggested using the dock at the University Avenue site at the Berkeley Marina’s Doubletree Hotel to reduce terminal construction costs.
"It’s all ready to go," Kamen said. "The costs would be insignificant to what a new terminal would cost."
Councilmember Kriss Worthington said he supports the University Avenue site for the terminal, and would like to remove Gilman Street from the review entirely.
"I think it’s a giant waste of money to study something that you know is really bad for the environment," he said. "I think University Avenue has less problems (than Gilman Street). I think it’s reasonable to spend money to consider that possibility."
The local chapter of the Sierra Club, an environmental group, also favors the site because it has already been dredged and can serve large boats.
Kamen said a ferry service would do more than just help relieve traffic congestion and improve air quality.
"It’s a public amenity that everyone likes and will improve the quality of life of everyone that lives in Berkeley even if they only take the ferry once a year," Kamen said.
Contact Julia Szinai at jszinai@dailycal.org. |
