The Association of Bay Area Governments video Hometown Blues, describing problems of growth and potential solutions, was honored in November with an Ahwahnee Award from the Local Government Commission. It was one of two winners in the category of community programs. (See March/April 1999 issue.)
Groundbreaking for the Fruitvale Transportation Village took place in October 1999. The village is a model for other transit village projects around the region, and is expected to be a centerpiece of the revitalized Fruitvale district. It will contain housing, shops and neighborhood and community services, focused on a pedestrian plaza along 34th Avenue. Some of the community facilities will open in Fall 2000 and the entire project is scheduled for completion in mid-2001. (See March/April 1999 issue, also January/February 1997.)
The East Bay Municipal Utility District announced in November that MTBE pollution in its San Pablo reservoir had dropped significantly after rental boats were fitted with cleaner-burning engines. Maximum concentrations of the gasoline additive had dropped 75 percent, and average levels had dropped 60 percent over two years.
In May 1998, the district had ordered two-stroke engines in 70 rental boats replaced with four-stroke engines. Privately owned boats with two-stroke engines are no longer permitted on the reservoir effective January 1, 2000. The district anticipates a further drop in MTBE levels as a result. In an effort to totally eliminate gasoline pollution of the reservoir, only electric-powered boats will be allowed after January 2002. (See March/April 1998 issue.)
The California Legislative Analyst's Office issued a report in January entitled, "HOV Lanes in California: Are They Achieving Their Goals?" (see November/December 1999 issue). It can be read online at http://www.lao/ca.gov/010700_hov/010700_hov_lanes.html, or ordered from the Legislative Analyst's Office by calling 916/445-2375.