Hollywood in Crows Landing?

11-5-11
Modesto Bee
Editorial: West Park project has possibilities
http://www.modbee.com/2011/11/03/v-print/1932615/west-park-project-haspossibilities.html
In the last several years, discussions about the potential uses for the former Crows Landing Naval Air Station have focused on manufacturing, processing and distribution facilities that would benefit from the site's proximity to Interstate 5 and the potential for short-line rail to the Port of Oakland.
Ag exports often have been cited in the conversations, along with air cargo operations or business start-ups.
So we have to admit we were surprised — in a pleasant way — at the prospective user for West Park Logistics Center that was announced earlier this week. It's not the kind of industry we have much experience with here in the valley — an independent movie and TV studio.
Mare Island Studio sent a letter to the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors stating its interest in locating on 415 acres in West Park. It's important to remember that it's nothing like a done deal. But it definitely is an interesting possibility.
The letter from a studio executive was part of a quarterly update to the board on developer Gerry Kamilos' progress on West Park.
The rest of the 41-page report is pretty dry stuff, having to do with the preliminary work for an environmental impact review on the West Park Logistics Center.
The project has shrunk from an original proposal of 4,800 acres to a little under 3,000. The bad economy drove the downsizing, but the smaller size also seems to have reduced some of the opposition because the business park would be centered on the 1,500 acre former airfield and would occupy far less agriculture land. Houses have never been part of Kamilos' proposal, although some skeptics and opponents won't stop thinking that they are.
And, in another major development this week — coverage of which is on Page A-1 today — The Bee learned that Kamilos may have a major investor in the major rail improvements that will be needed to accommodate the freight trains traveling between Oakland and Crows Landing.
Kamilos' revised plans West Park also include, as we reported earlier, a solar farm on 850 acres west of the airfield.
In March, the Board of Supervisors, on a 3-2 vote, gave Kamilos a 15-month extension to put together the project. That means he needs to have a draft EIR ready by June, which leaves a lot of work to be done in a relatively short time for a project as big and as complicated as this one is.
But if the draft EIR is finished by the deadline and if Kamilos gets the next OK to proceed, his project may be able to take advantage of a new state law that fast-tracks lawsuits challenging the environmental review.
There are lots of "ifs" and "maybes" still associated with the West Park proposal, but it remains the best possibility in our county to add large numbers of new jobs.
We continue to be impressed by the long-term commitment that Kamilos has shown to developing West Park, even through this deep and prolonged recession.
And the possibility of a TV-film studio that could employ several thousand people provides a little extra zing to the project.
We look forward to learning more about it.
 
8-9-11
VAllej0 Independent Bulletin
Last Ditch Effort to save Mare Island Studio Project
By Marc Garman
http://ibvallejo.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1209Tonight Vallejo's City Council will consider accepting new development proposals for the North end of Mare Island. If approved, this in combination with the termination of the the Exclusive Right to Negotiate (ERN) the city had entered into with Mare Island Studios, would end hopes to place a motion picture studio on the island. The project has been plagued with funding delays and deadline extensions in its agreement with the city.In an early morning telephone conversation,
Mare Island Studios chairwoman Carissa Carpenter acknowledged that there have been delays, but cited one of the most difficult financing environments in recent memory. “We've got real lenders that have real money.” stated Carpenter referencing investment bank Piper Jaffray. According to Carpenter, the demands for increased collateral, required additional assurances from the city to the lender and the shift from bonds to equity in financing a project of this size have all been obstacles that have caused delay. She also expressed dismay that her company had not received any form of notification regarding tonight's proposed action. “An email or a phone call would have been nice.” she stated adding that over $2 million dollars had been spent on the project to date. “Our team is ready to go, and this jumped up at us without communication.” Carpenter also indicated that there have been discussions to build a medical center in conjunction the studio project as well.

She also noted that neither herself or anyone attached to the project had been contacted prior to the recent Times Herald article Curtain closing on Mare Island film studio plan.

A last minute meeting has been scheduled this afternoon with City Manager Phil Batchelor and city officials to discuss the possibility of keeping the project alive. According to other sources affiliated with the studio project, the funding hurdles have been largely cleared and representatives of the project's lender will be flying in to attend the meeting in an attempt to prevail upon the city to allow time for the project to move forward. Sources inside city hall indicate that there has been a loss of faith in the project and an urgency to explore other options for the North end of the island.

Carpenter indicated that if the Request for Proposals (RFP) being placed before the City Council tonight moves forward the project will be completely dead. If today's meeting provides city officials with enough assurances to pull the proposed action from the agenda and wait, or if the vote fails, there may be one last gasp for Mare Island Studios. “It's astounding to me. This city has so much incredible potential, and everybody I have met in this city has been wonderful. I hope we can still make it happen.” said Carpenter.