Kamilos deserves time, even if port isn't interested

last updated: September 18, 2007 03:32:50 AM

Developer Gerry Kamilos appeared to suffer a setback with last week's news reports that neither the Port of Oakland nor the Bay Area's Metropolitan Transportation Commission plans to include his Crows Landing project as part of a funding application from the state transportation bond. Regardless, Kamilos still should have until next April to show what and whether he can deliver with his massive West Park proposal.

Kamilos' plan centers on turning the 1,560 acres on the former air base and an additional 3,000 acres into an inland port with short-haul rail connections to the Port of Oakland. If the rail component proves unfeasible, what's left?

Fortunately, Hillwood, the other company that sought to become the master developer for the air base, is still interested. Last winter, we preferred Hillwood's proposal because that company is more experienced with industrial projects and because we doubted the feasibility of the rail component. But three of the five county supervisors opted for the higher-risk choice -- Kamilos.

From the get-go, Kamilos has faced strong opposition from some West Side residents, largely over disruptions that would be caused by frequent trains. There also are strong objections to losing prime farmland and doubts about the availability of water.

But the biggest challenge for Kamilos is getting the millions needed for rail improvements. If Crows Landing is not part of a Bay Area application, Kamilos would have to align with a Central Valley partnership for a share of the $2 billion that is to be available for trade corridor projects out of the $19.5 billion transportation bond (Proposition 1B).

The competition for that $2 billion will be fierce, and the Bay Area and Los Angeles-Long Beach are the big guys in the ring.

Under a timeline posted Monday by the California Transportation Commission, guidelines are to be developed this fall for how to divide the $2 billion. Projects are to be nominated and reviewed in the winter, with a program adopted by March 1.

That timeline might not materialize, however. In the session just ended, the Legislature failed to pass a bill specifying how to allocate the much-sought trade corridor dollars.

There's also $1 billion from the transportation bond earmarked to reduce air pollution emissions from freight activities along trade corridors. The first $100 million of that was allocated, and there doesn't appear to be any significant amount in the plan for Kamilos.

It doesn't matter. County supervisors have a one-year agreement to negotiate with Kamilos, and they should honor it. Next spring, the supervisors owe county residents a thorough and honest appraisal of whether the West Park plan is achievable and if it offers the best option for bringing jobs and business to the county.

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