THURSDAY
APRIL 20 2017 Vol. LI No. 16
Student Art Exhibit at the gallery See Page 5
FREMONT, CA OHLONEMONITOR.COM
Ohlone negotiating with developer over frontage property
ROB ADAMIC STAFF WRITER
The Ohlone College Board of Trustees voted last week to enter negotiations with a company over the development of the frontage property along Mission Boulevard. at the Fremont campus. The development of this property has been talked about for many years and has long been thought of as a safety net that would bring financial stability to the school. “A few years ago when we had the economic downturn, the funding from the state was reduced so we had to cut our classes and… couldn’t offer the classes to the level that the students needed them,” exFrontage project would include 275 housing units. plained Ohlone President Dr. Gari Browning. buildings that would house 275 to build the project. In return for “If we had an income source units. There are also plans for the development, Ohlone Colthat was separate from that, that a mixed use town center which lege would receive $1,332,936 couldn’t be controlled by the could be used for public events in rent per year from the comstate and it wasn’t at the mercy and would hold 17,910 square pany with a 99-year lease. of the economy and it came in feet of retail and/or office space. Ohlone has explored develall the time, then we could keep The town square would serve oping the property many times things even.” This would mean as a gateway to the college and over the past 25 years. The that regardless of the economy would link up to the apartments most recent was in 2014, when or funding from Sacramento, by way of the protected olive a deal was struck with Carmel Ohlone would never be forced tree grove which would become Partners. But by 2015 the deto cut classes or programs. a “pedestrian pathway” con- veloper pulled out because of Steelwave, LLC. was the necting the new development unforeseen complications. company chosen by the board to Ohlone College and Mission “I have really huge concerns out of the two proposals that Boulevard. that the developer will walk were received. The company’s Steelwave estimates the com- again, especially considering proposal calls for 18 apartment pany would spend $106 million the hostile environment that
Former Ohlone student on Pulitzer Prize team MARIO LEAL and VICENTE VERA STAFF WRITERS
On April 10, the East Bay Times was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for breaking news in the coverage of the Ghost Ship Fire in Oakland. This is the fifth time that the
Aric Crabb Bay Area News Group was honored with such a prize. Proudly, photographer and former Ohlone Moni-
tor staff, Aric Crabb, was a contributing member of the awarded team. Still in disbelief, Crabb told the Monitor, “It’s a huge honor, we never expected this, to be honest.” The Pulitzer Prize is awarded for achievements in journalism in the United States. The accolade is among the most prestigious prizes that a journalist can obtain. Crabb has been a photographer with the Bay Area News Group since 1998. Passionate about surfing and and environmental photography, Aric describes photography as, “The ability to see lines, colors, and picturing the different graphic interpretations.” His assignments have ranged from Little League games to covering the Super Bowl. Crabb has worked with freelance clients such as the Allsport Picture AgenContinued on Page 2
ROB ADAMIC/MONITOR
the city is now taking towards development,” Board Chair Richard Watters told the other trustees at the meeting. Watters was in favor of a proposal from Dutra Principals. which was the only other proposal the board received. “I worry about selecting this particular developer because I don’t find that they have necessarily a vested interest in Fremont where as the other proposal, even though it wasn’t as financially lucrative, does.” Ohlone would only make $558,000 per year from the
Dutra deal. Some of the complications in the past came from state level regulations that the college has since gotten a waiver for. However, there may be many complications locally. A good number of Fremont residents have been against the idea of building housing or retail space on the property for fear that it would worsen the already congested traffic on Mission Boulevard. These vocal residents could influence the city, which would Continued on Page 2
Academic core milestone
STAFF PHOTO/MONITOR
The new Academic Core building will reach a milestone next week. The final beam will be installed at the Topping Off Ceremony on April 26. This builders’ tradition is observed when the last beam is placed atop a new structure. The ceremony will take place in the Quad in front of the Bookstore at 2 p.m. All are welcomed. R.S.V.P. by email to collegeadvancement@ohlone.edu by April 24.