jsosp banner gif JSOSP_logo
Park History Park Progress Photos/Videos In The News

Jean Sweeney Open Space Park Fund

Stories From The News

The Alameda Belt Line and Jean Sweeney Open Space Park have been fortunate to have journalistic support from two local newspapers. The Alameda Sun and The Alameda Journal, have written many stories to keep the town informed.

In the early 2000's, Alameda was also served by "The Island" and "The Alameda Accent" which are no longer publishing. Many of the early stories are from those newspapers. Open PDF files and increase the page size to read the articles.
Jean in The Alameda Accent Jean Sweeney was featured on the front page of the Alameda Accent on November 30th, 1999.

  • October 14, 2016    Alameda Magazine: A Park Grows in Alameda
    By Laura Casey
    Development is imminent for the new 22-acre Jean Sweeney Open Space Park. Read the Alameda Magazine update on progress of the Jean Sweeney Park. Click Here
  • July 4th, 2016 Jim Sweeney is honored by his selection as the 2016 4th of July parade Grand Marshal. Mr. Sweeney's two daughters and his sister-in-law joined him in the stage coach provided for the Grand Marshal. Click Here

  • June 25, 2014 - Alameda Journal: Alameda Board backs Jean Sweeney park plan. Peter Hegarty, Journal reporter, covers the decision of the Planning Board to   "recommend the City Council approve a plan that will serve as a road map for fundraising, developing and designing the 22 acre site". Click Here

  • April 23, 2014 - Alameda Journal: "Test of Time: Alameda's Jean Sweeney park plan a key example of Island involvement" By Bill Delaney. Bill Delaney is president of the Alameda Recretion & Parks Commission. Click Here

  • January 11, 2013 . Alameda Sun: Planning Jean Sweeney Open Space Click Here

  • July 9, 2009 . Alameda Sun: Celebrating Open Space: On July 9, the city got word it had won the court battle, thanks to the provision in the original 1920s contract. The Alameda Sun article announced a potluck at the foot of Ninth Street to celebrate the city's ability to acquire the Alameda Belt Line property at a bargain-basement price.
  • See a slideshow of the celebration potluck.

  • January 31, 2001 Alameda Times-Star. Island voters to determine rail yard fate. Click Here

  • December 22, 2000 Alameda Journal. Voters to decide Belt Line land use in 2002 . Click Here

  • December 21, 2000 . The Island: Alameda council to 'Beltline' future. Jean Sweeney appears on the front page after collecting the necessary signatures to qualify the open space initiative for a vote. The City Council will decide the next step. Click Here

  • December 19, 2000 . Alameda Journal: Wheels still turning on future of Belt Line land. Click Here

  • November 28, 2000 . The Island: Alameda council to 'Beltline' future. Jean Sweeney appears on the front page after collecting the necessary signatures to qualify the open space initiative for a vote. The City Council will decide the next step. Click Here

  • November 24, 2000 . Alameda Journal: City checks on effects of rezoning 22-acre parcelinto open space. Click Here

  • November 21, 2000 . Alameda Journal: More than 10% of Alamedians signed the petition to rezone the Belt Line property. City Council meeting to decide next course of action. Click Here

  • November 17, 2000 . Alameda Journal: Open space petition for Beltline property OK'd for Ballot Click Here

  • September 1, 2000 . Alameda Journal: A suit for a suit. City countersues Alameda Belt Line Railroad over right to purchase Northside land. Click Here

  • June 28, 2000 . Alameda Times-Star: Fight over Alameda Belt Line continues. Highlight: 'Not surprisingly, upon learning of the agreement, city leaders expressed interest in the land and quickly gave notice of Alameda's intent to purchase it. But the group of rail owners doesn't want to sell the tract. They have been negotiating with a developer since 1998 and were close to selling the property, close to closing an estimated $15 million deal'. Click Here

  • June 19, 2000 . Belt Line land battle in Alameda. Suit challenges 1924 deal with city; $15 million involved. Highlight: 'With the agreement, the city can buy back the property for thousands and then sell it for millions -- even if it is to the same developer'. Click Here

  • June 9, 2000 . Alameda Journal: Railroad sues city. Lawsuit challenges city's intention to buy unused north side railroad land Click Here

  • November 30, 1999 . The Island: Petiton targets Alameda Property reports on Jean Sweeney's (on the front page) succesful efforts to collect 3,816 signatures to place her open space initiative on the ballot so Alameda can vote for it. Click Here

  • June 22, 1999 . Alameda Accent: Developer eyes Belt Line property reports on plans to develop the Belt Line and the effects of the pending initiative to rezone the land as open space. Click Here

  • February 26, 1999 . Alameda Journal: Jean Sweeney walks on the train tracks at the Belt Line Switching Yard. This article talks about Jean's initiative to make the switching yard open space instead of a development. Click Here


Return to Main Page

Published on:   January 26, 2014