On January 20th, the City hosted a press event with hybrid powertrain designer and manufacturer Wrightspeed to announce the company’s relocation from San Jose to Alameda. Owner and Tesla Motors co-founder Ian Wright touted the relocation as a significant one for Wrightspeed, a move which will support its commercial scaling needs necessitated by its new contract to outfit FedEx delivery trucks with its hybrid-electric powertrain units, and pursue new business with waste and recycling vehicle fleets. Currently home to Google’s Makani Power, Natel Energy, Imprint Energy, and Sila Nanotechnologies, to name a few, the coming of Wrightspeed to Alameda furthers the growth of the City’s clean-tech, green-tech, and advanced manufacturing sectors. Backed by a manufacturing grant from the California Energy Commission and Series A and B venture capital funding, the move will result in a $3 million investment into Wrightspeed’s new City-owned facility, the 110,000 square-foot historic Hangar 41 at Alameda Point.  Relocating to Hangar 41 will help facilitate Wrightspeed’s creation of 280 new Alameda jobs by 2018.

On January 29th, City Council members and Planning Board members joined more than 150 residents for an Open House with the City’s recently selected development partner for Site A at Alameda Point, Alameda Point Partners.  Alameda Point Partners discussed its plans for the 68-acre mixed-use waterfront redevelopment project at the former Naval Air Station Alameda with the community. Hosted by Callahan Piano (a world-renowned high-end piano restoration company) at Navigator Systems, a boutique manufacturing and artisan incubator facility at Alameda Point, the City and APP answered questions and previewed designs for the project. Those who were unable to attend, or who are interested in more Site A news and events can attend two more open houses, March 4th (location to be determined), and a March 28th walking tour of the site. To stay up-to-date on Site A, visit the Site A webpage at www.alamedaca.gov/alameda-point and follow Alameda Point on Twitter at @AlamedaNAS and #AlamedaPoint.

If you haven’t been to Alameda Landing lately, you may be surprised at how quickly construction is wrapping up and businesses are opening. Fresh off the heels of openings for Michaels, Panda Express, and Sleep Train, Safeway opened its doors for a preview party and ribbon cutting on January 15th, at which Safeway made a generous $3,000 donation to the Alameda Education Foundation. With Council members and public officials joined by representatives of the Alameda's business community in attendance, Safeway and City officials cut the ribbon for the new store, and attendees were able to begin shopping the fully stocked shelves. The ceremony also included the unveiling of a prominent public art piece paying homage to the late Alameda resident and Encinal High graduate, and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, Wilver “Willie” Stargell. Shortly after Safeway’s grand opening, the Habit Burger also opened for business at Alameda Landing, with Unleashed by Petco also set to open in February.  Habit Burger’s opening week featured special charity dining events, at which 100% of proceeds were donated to local nonprofits, Alameda Point Collaborative, Alameda Meals on Wheels, and Midway Shelter of Alameda. To view current openings at Alameda Landing, visit the retail directory at www.alamedalanding.com/directory.  Across town, Cinema Grill at Alameda Theatre also opened in January and offers an eclectic menu as well as a craft cocktail program inspired by Hollywood's Golden Age that can be enjoyed by movie-goers before, during, or after a show.

Spirits Alley was recently named one of five finalists across 13 western states in the “Best Municipal Makeover” category for Sunset Magazine’s first ever Travel Awards contest. Sunset has recognized Spirits Alley, the neighborhood of artisan wineries, distilleries, a craft brewery, and tasting rooms at Alameda Point, for breathing new life into the historic district and former Naval Air Station which closed in 1997.  Spirits Alley consists of manufacturing facilities and tasting rooms for Building 43 Winery, Faction Brewing Company, Hangar 1 Vodka, St. George Spirits, and Rock Wall Wine Company, and offers a unique gastronomic experience for Alamedans and visitors to enjoy one-of-a-kind craft beverages and the breathtaking views of the San Francisco skyline. Sunset Magazine is published monthly, with nearly five million readers. Look for Spirits Alley in the May 2015 issue when the Travel Awards winners will be announced, and again in the June 2015 issue where the winners will be featured. For more information on the Sunset Travel Awards, visit www.sunset.com/travel/sunset-travel-awards.

• Tesla co-founder Ian Wright opens Alameda plant to make electric truck powertrains.
• Wrightspeed discusses its technology with USA Today.
• College of Alameda and Bay Ship & Yacht partner to teach skills for waterfront jobs.
• Natel Energy named finalist for prestigious Imagine H2O’s Water Infrastructure Challenge.
• Alameda in line for millions in transportation funds.