Overview

The San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) was established in 2007 by the state of California to replace the Water Transit Authority.  WETA operates and maintains passenger ferries on San Francisco Bay.

At its November 2009 meeting, the WETA board approved a $200,000 contract for design and engineering of a new facility at Alameda Point. It will be called the Central Bay Operations and Maintenance Facility, and will service ferries operated by WETA.  It will not be a passenger terminal.  

In 2010, WETA began the environmental review process for the new facility.  On June 2, 2011, WETA completed the state environmental review for the project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).  It adopted a mitigated negative declaration.

In October of 2012, the Federal Transit Authority issued its environmental report regarding impacts on endangered fish species.  Other reviews will take place before the commencement of construction, which is slated for mid-2014.

WETA will lease the land at Alameda Point from the city, with lease revenue going to the city's general fund.

Reprint from WETA project page:

"The Central Bay Operations and Maintenance Facility project is being developed by WETA to provide a central San Francisco Bay base for WETA's ferry fleet. The facility will include an Operations Control Center, from which WETA would dispatch services, as well as manage day-to-day crew, vessel, and facility needs. The facility will also include an Emergency Operations Center, which would serve as a primary location for WETA to coordinate the provision of emergency transportation services in the event of a regional disaster.

"The project site is located near Pier 3 of the Naval Air Station Base Realignment and Closure area known as Alameda Point (see map below). The site is currently home to remnants of a former small vessel marina operated by the U.S. Navy. All debris, including a dilapidated pier extending into San Francisco Bay, would be removed as part of this project.

"The project would include construction of a multi-story building that would provide for WETA's operational needs such as light repair work, diesel fuel storage, spare parts storage, concession supply, administrative staff office space, records storage and deliveries. The facility will also include a system of floating docks and gangways that would provide daytime and overnight berthing capacity for up to 11 vessels. Each slip will be outfitted with equipment to deliver fuel and utility hook-ups to WETA vessels. A limited number of slips will be specially outfitted to meet regular vessel maintenance needs such as engine oil changes and life raft servicing.

"As part of the project, WETA is committed to improving public access facilities in the vicinity of the project area, such as the San Francisco Bay Trail. The final design of these improvements will be determined in coordination with the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), the City of Alameda, and input from the general public.

"WETA is currently working to complete its environmental review of the project as required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). Pending completion of the environmental review process, WETA will work with the City of Alameda to secure lease rights to the project site and develop a Final Design. Construction of the project is anticipated to commence by mid-2014. Preliminary conceptual renderings of the proposed Central Bay Operations and Maintenance Facility are shown below."