Naval Supply Depot, Oakland
Encyclopedia
Naval Supply Depot, Oakland was a supply facility operated by the U.S. Navy in Oakland, California
. During World War II
, it was a major source of supplies and war materials for ships operating in the Pacific.
The Depot had its origin in 1940 when the Navy bought 500 acres (2 km²) of wetlands from the city of Oakland for $1.00. The Navy reclaimed the land and populated it with large warehouses. It opened on December 15, 1941, and quickly began a decades-long expansion. In the late 1940s it was renamed Naval Supply Center, Oakland; later it was renamed Fleet and Industrial Supply Center, Oakland. During the Cold War
, it was one of the Navy's most important supply facilities.
In 1995, the BRAC Commission
recommended that the Center be closed. It was closed in 1998, and in 1999, the Navy transferred the entire 531 acres (2.1 km²) property to the Port of Oakland
. The new owner plans to develop it for intermodal freight transport
involving a marine terminal
, railroad, and truck
cargo
activities. The site is environmentally contaminated due to past activities.
A portion of the supply depot was developed into Middle Harbor Shoreline Park
in 2003. Buildings were removed and environmental restoration
created new wetlands for wildlife.
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, it was a major source of supplies and war materials for ships operating in the Pacific.
The Depot had its origin in 1940 when the Navy bought 500 acres (2 km²) of wetlands from the city of Oakland for $1.00. The Navy reclaimed the land and populated it with large warehouses. It opened on December 15, 1941, and quickly began a decades-long expansion. In the late 1940s it was renamed Naval Supply Center, Oakland; later it was renamed Fleet and Industrial Supply Center, Oakland. During the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
, it was one of the Navy's most important supply facilities.
In 1995, the BRAC Commission
Base Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure is a process of the United States federal government directed at the administration and operation of the Armed Forces, used by the United States Department of Defense and Congress to close excess military installations and realign the total asset inventory to reduce...
recommended that the Center be closed. It was closed in 1998, and in 1999, the Navy transferred the entire 531 acres (2.1 km²) property to the Port of Oakland
Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland was the first major port on the Pacific Coast of the United States to build terminals for container ships. It is now the fifth busiest container port in the United States, behind Long Beach, Los Angeles, Newark, and Savannah...
. The new owner plans to develop it for intermodal freight transport
Intermodal freight transport
Intermodal freight transport involves the transportation of freight in an intermodal container or vehicle, using multiple modes of transportation , without any handling of the freight itself when changing modes. The method reduces cargo handling, and so improves security, reduces damages and...
involving a marine terminal
Marine terminal
The term Marine terminal may apply to:* A Berth * A Dock * A Ferry slip* Or even the whole Port* A Wharf...
, railroad, and truck
Truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
cargo
Cargo
Cargo is goods or produce transported, generally for commercial gain, by ship, aircraft, train, van or truck. In modern times, containers are used in most intermodal long-haul cargo transport.-Marine:...
activities. The site is environmentally contaminated due to past activities.
A portion of the supply depot was developed into Middle Harbor Shoreline Park
Middle Harbor Shoreline Park
Middle Harbor Shoreline Park lies west of downtown Oakland, California mostly on land formerly occupied by the Oakland Naval Supply Depot. The portion adjacent to the Port of Oakland which includes Port View Park was originally part of the Oakland Pier or Mole, the massive western terminus of the...
in 2003. Buildings were removed and environmental restoration
Environmental restoration
Environmental restoration is a term common in the citizens’ environmental movement. Environmental restoration is closely allied with ecological restoration or environmental remediation...
created new wetlands for wildlife.