Oakland International Cross-Airport Parkway Opens in Alameda

Twenty Years of Collaboration Culminates in Dedication of “Ron Cowan Parkway” by State and Local Leaders

Published: July, 2004

In a ceremony celebrating nearly two decades of collaboration between city and county agencies in Alameda and Oakland, Sunne McPeak, California Secretary for the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, as well as local and state officials, formally dedicated Ron Cowan Parkway—the new cross-airport parkway extending from Airport Drive at Oakland International to Alameda’s Harbor Bay Parkway.

Former Alameda mayor, the late Ralph Appezzato, nominated Harbor Bay Isle developer Ron Cowan as the namesake for the parkway after his efforts led to the inclusion of the cross-airport parkway in the funding package to improve traffic circulation into and around the Oakland Airport, creating a gateway to Alameda. The cross-airport parkway project was approved by Alameda County voters in 1986 as part of Measure B–the first county sales tax transportation initiative in the state. “This project would not have been possible without Measure B. It is an example of how voter-approved funds are improving our transportation system, as well as our communities,” said Supervisor Nate Miley, chair of the Alameda County Transportation Authority. Today, such sales tax measures are common for allocating local tax money to local and regional transportation and transit projects. Measure B was overwhelmingly renewed by voters in 2000.

“The opening of Ron Cowan Parkway represents nearly 20 years of regional collaboration to provide commute alternatives to and from the Oakland Airport,” said Beverly Johnson, Mayor of Alameda. “For 30 years, Ron Cowan has been a steady hand in the planning and development of Alameda’s Harbor Bay Isle community. His energy and vision brought transportation projects like the new parkway and ferry service to our community. It’s my pleasure to honor Ron for his leadership and commitment.”

The dedication was attended by leaders in building the new parkway, including Attorney General Bill Lockyer, who was a state senator during the project’s inception; State Senator Don Perata; Port of Oakland Commission president, John Protopappas; Hacienda Business Park developer, Jack Callahan; former San Leandro Mayor, Jack Maltester; and former Mayor of Hayward, Jack Smith.
“I am honored by the naming of the new parkway and grateful to everyone who dedicated time and energy during the past 20 years to see the completion of this extremely complex project,” said Ron Cowan, CEO of the DoricGroup, a developer of multi-use communities, including Harbor Bay Isle. “For three decades, I’ve witnessed the island community of Alameda grow into one of the most desirable cities to live and work in the Bay Area. It is truly a pleasure to be called upon to help ensure the area continues to thrive.”

In addition to the cross-airport parkway, Mr. Cowan also helped bring another major transportation project to the Bay Area—the cross-bay ferry service from Harbor Bay Isle in Alameda to San Francisco was established in 1989 after nearly a decade-long effort and a major earthquake drove the project to completion.

“The Port of Oakland is pleased to have contributed to this important project with both funding and overseeing construction. Since opening Ron Cowan Parkway on March 12, commuters are using this much-needed connection between Alameda and Oakland International Airport and the 880 freeway. It’s great to see that this new access is already easing traffic congestion,“ said Port of Oakland Board president John Protopappas. Previously, commuter access to and from Oakland International Airport and the City of Alameda was limited to the busy Doolittle Drive. The new parkway connects commuters directly from Ron Cowan Parkway at the intersection of Harbor Bay Parkway directly to the Oakland Airport and I-880, providing a gateway to Alameda.

Sunne Wright McPeak hails the opening of the Ron Cowan parkway. The honoree is seated to the left.