CESP is currently focusing our efforts on two major segments of the East Bay shoreline: Richmond's extensive shoreline and Albany's waterfront.

In each of these projects CESP will be working with local groups and environmental organizations to preserve open space, provide access to the shoreline and create shoreline parks and trails.


Patti Garcia: GGAS Teacher Training

Richmond

Fate of Richmond’s Shoreline — General Plan

Richmond hopes to protect 5 miles of wetlands

North Richmond Shoreline

CESP supports open space and park use for the North Richmond Shoreline which contains some of the last pockets of pristine tidal land in the East Bay.

The North Richmond shoreline, which stretches from Pt. Pinole to Wildcat Creek Marsh, contains 500 acres of tidal marshes and 800 acres of mudflats. Three creeks - Rheem, San Pablo, and Wildcat Creeks - empty into the San Pablo Bay at the shoreline. This unique ecosystem is home to many threatened and endangered species and millions of migrating birds every year. The largest eelgrass bed in the entire San Francisco Bay is just offshore; it is a breeding habitat for many species of invertebrates, waterfowl, and fish. Click HERE to download a PDF describing key North Richmond shoreline properties.

CESP advocates the creation of a Shoreline Scenic Protection Zone from the land on the bay side of the Richmond Parkway until it intersects the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. From there, the Scenic Protection Zone would be made up of the land west of the railroad tracks as far north as Point Pinole (SEE MAP ).

The creation of a parkland destination will raise the image of Richmond, improve the quality of life and raise property values. CESP wants to restore community access to a protected shoreline, which will provide much-needed recreational opportunities to residents of adjacent neighborhoods. CESP would like to see the North Richmond Shoreline transformed into one of the outstanding jewels in the Bay's necklace of shoreline parks.

Please see our Action Alert page to find out how to get involved today!

Click HEREto download a PDF of CESP’s vision for the North Richmond.

North Richmond Shoreline

Sunday, Aug 6, 2006 - Los Angeles Times ~ Saving the Marsh ~ Whitney Dotson was 5 years old when he moved into the brand-new house his father bought on Jenkins Way in Parchester Village. It was the early 1950s . . . Read the full story >>

Breuner Marsh - To Become Parkland at last!

The Breuner property, the cornerstone of the North Richmond Shoreline, is one of the most important expanses of undeveloped shoreline in the Bay Area. It shows the Bay as it once was: an open saltwater marsh and coastal prairie, filled with wildlife. The endangered Saltmarsh Harvest Mouse and California Clapper Rail and many other species of flora and fauna call the Marsh home.

The two-year trial involving the East Bay Regional Park District's acquisition by eminent domain of the Breuner Marsh on the North Richmond shoreline ended on March 28, 2008. The jury decided that the value of the approximately 217 acres was $6.85 million.

According to the District's appraiser, the fair market value of the land, currently zoned for open space and preservation, was $1.5 million. The property owners' attorneys argued that the city of Richmond would approve rezoning of 27 acres of the property to allow residential use, making the land worth $18 million. In reaching its verdict, the jury chose an intermediate value.

The trial took three weeks and, together with the year-long legal battle, cost the District more than $600,000 in attorneys' fees. Assistant General Manager Bob Doyle has been involved in 14 similar cases for the District and says that this case was the longest and most costly. The Park District was willing to take on this difficult and costly fight as an environmental justice effort to support the community that wanted this shoreline habitat permanently protected.

The case was complex because it covered issues involving endangered species, environmental impacts of development, and the city of Richmond's desire to maximize tax revenues. It was further complicated because the Richmond City Council actively opposed the acquisition. Park District officials indicated that when there is speculation regarding the potential rezoning of a parcel, it is more difficult to acquire land. The conflicting testimony can be confusing for a jury.

The property owners will retain approximately 20 acres of land in the property's southeastern corner, plus a floating easement to enable them to have access to the parcel. This area is currently zoned "Office/Industrial Flex," and may be proposed by the owners for development in the future. The property owners have also indicated that they plan to appeal the judgment.

On May 6, 2008, the District's Board of Directors unanimously approved funding the jury verdict, as well as interest on the verdict amount from the date of possession which amounts to an additional $700,000.

Although the end result is that acquisition of the Breuner Marsh cost more than expected, the good news is that upon payment of the verdict, the District will own the property. More than 200 acres along the North Richmond shoreline is permanently protected, public access and open space will be provided, and restoration of this priceless area is only a matter of time.

Thanks to all the East Bay citizens whose tireless efforts and unwavering support helped make this dream a reality.

To read more about the eminent domain process at Breuner Marsh click here.

Please click here for the Lower Rheem Creek concept map.

The Mouth of Breuner Marsh
Breuner Marsh in the Afternoon

Point Molate

Point Molate is a former U.S. Naval facility that was closed in the 1990s along with the massive base closure effort of that decade. As part of closing the base, the Navy had to go through the BRAC process (Base Reuse and Closure) which required a clean up of toxics and turning over the facility to the public in the area. In 2003, the Navy turned the property over to the City of Richmond. Richmond has considered a number of uses, including open space. After many public meetings with the Blue Ribbon Committee the city adapted a plan for limited development of the old Winehouse Winery and associated buildings. Point Molate is located just north of the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge on the San Pablo Peninsula. The eastern half of Point San Pablo is owned by Chevron, which had been a supporter of open space on Point Molate, but in connection with a recent change in Chevron, has voiced concerns about any uses of Point Molate that will bring the public to Point Molate and now supports "restricted open space."

In 2004, the City of Richmond ignored the Blue Ribbon Committee plan it had adopted and signed an agreement with a consortium to develop Point Molate as a casino. However, CESP filed a lawsuit against the City of Richmond citing its failure to conduct an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prior to entering a binding agreement with the developer (Upstream) as a violation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). With the support of the East Bay Regional Park District and the State of California, CESP succeeded in blocking a binding agreement between the City of Richmond and developers without an EIR. To date, the EIR has not been completed.

CESP supports open space and park use for Point Molate and recommends including it in the Eastshore State Park or in a system of shoreline parks. Our vision entails that the area be protected as a preservation and recreational area to the maximum extent possible. This includes public access to the Richmond shoreline for all citizens of Richmond. In particular, the Point Molate site should be protected and developed in accordance with the recommendations of the Reuse Plan of the Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee, as adopted by Richmond City Council in 1997. Any development in this area should be sustainable and centered around the historic winery.

CESP continues to stringently oppose the development of this site for a Casino/hotel complex or for housing as Upstream has proposed. Any development rights should be transferred to other properties in Richmond.

Click here for pictures of Point Molate and Point San Pablo.

Click here for an update on the Point Molate Lawsuit.

Click here for an additional update on the Point Molate Lawsuit.

Zeneca (Cherokee)/ Campus Bay - Plans for Clean-up Continue

The Zeneca /Campus Bay properties border a 3/4 mile east-west stretch of the Bay Trail north of Pt. Isabel and south of Richmond's Marina Bay. Swiss pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and Stauffer Chemical Company manufactured hazardous chemicals at the site until 1997 when the facility was shut down. AstraZeneca failed to appropriately clean up the site and the property to this day remains one of the most toxic sites in the Bay Area. The adjacent University of California Richmond Field Station site also has confirmed metals, VOCs, PCBs, and pesticides in soil and groundwater.

Richmond is currently developing a new General Plan that will determine the future of the Zeneca site. Despite its Superfund status, the Campus Bay portion of the Zeneca site is proposed for housing in the City's General Plan process. CESP supports a General Plan option that retains the Zeneca, UC Field Station and the private lands in the Hoffman Marsh as open space until an appropriate clean up is done. Lands adjacent to Hoffman Marsh, such as Liquid Gold, should be designated as open space.

Risk assessment of the South Richmond Shoreline at the Zeneca/Cherokee and Campus Bay/UC Richmond Field Station sites continues under the direction of the state Dept. of Toxic Substances Control. (www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public)

The Richmond Southeast Shoreline Area Community Advisory Group (CAG) is eager to increase public participation at its monthly meetings, held at 6:30 pm on the 2nd Thursday each month at City Council Chambers, 1401 Marina Way South. CESP encourages those concerned about the future of this environmentally endangered site to attend.

More Info:

Threats to Hoffman Marsh? - Project Cancelled

Steven Oliver and Company, a Richmond developer, has asked the City to rezone the area between Costco and Hoffman Marsh from "Light Industrial" to "Regional Commercial." The plan includes a Kohl's Department Store on Central Ave. and chain restaurant or retail use on the corner of Central Ave. and Rydin Road. Hoffman Marsh, a sensitive wildlife habitat between Hwy 580 and this site, is only 150 feet away. During the 1990s, CESP and other community groups worked to protect the marsh, which is why the City kept the "Light Industrial" land use designation.

The project is undergoing formal review by the City. The Planning Dept. intends to issue a negative declaration of environmental impacts, in accordance with California Environmental Quality Act. Since this project is being considered before the General Plan Update is done, it is impossible to foresee its future impact.

The Richmond Annex Neighborhood Council meets on fourth Thursdays of every month, at 7 pm at the Richmond Annex Senior Center, 5801 Huntington Ave, to discuss the project. Interested residents are urged to attend. Contact Mary Selva at 510. 232.6510 or Maryspond@sbcglobal.net.

Hoffman Marsh
Hoffman Marsh

New Kohl's store proposed for Richmond

By Katherine Tam

Kohl's wants to build a 98,000-square-foot retail store in south Richmond, but some people worry about what such a store would do to the area that surrounds it…The proposal has sparked concern among some residents and groups, who worry that increased traffic would further congest the Central Avenue corridor, where cars already back up at freeway on- and off-ramps at peak hours. And they say a retail store isn't compatible with neighboring Hoffman Marsh, a wetland where birds journey and nest, or the Albany Mudflats, an ecological reserve partially located in Richmond.

Read more at: Contra Costa Times

Albany

Albany Waterfront Visioning Update

In May 2009, Fern Tiger Associates will mail out a “newspaper” chock full of information about the waterfront to Albany residents. In June, FTA will divide the City up into 47 sections and invite people from each section to attend a visioning meeting in groups of about 20 each.

Albany waterfront visioning begins

by Steve Granholm, CESP board member

On April 21 2008, in response to the hard work of many citizens, the Albany City Council voted to begin the Albany Waterfront Visioning Process and selected Fern Tiger Associates (FTA) to lead the effort.

For years, the future of the privately owned Golden Gate Fields at the waterfront has been one of the most contentious issues facing Albany. Recently, after the property’s owner proposed two large developments which were vigorously opposed by citizens, the City Council decided to develop a common vision for the future of the waterfront.

This vision is to be based on an intensive public participation process, and grounded in a detailed resource analysis and the administrative realities for the property. The outcome of the process will be a Waterfront Vision with specific goals and objectives for future land use changes. This Vision will be less detailed than a Specific Plan so that approval would not require an Environmental Impact Report or a Measure “C” vote.

The City will encourage the landowner to participate in this visioning process. It is timely to develop a vision for the site that has broad support from citizens. The racetrack owner, Magna Entertainment Corporation, has recently experienced serious financial setbacks due to downturns in the horse racing industry, so there may be serious interest on the part of the owner in finding alternative uses for the site.

Fern Tiger and Associates were selected, in large part, due to their demonstrated success in designing and leading public participation processes to reach consensus in divided communities. FTA will begin by interviewing a broad cross-section of involved citizens, the racetrack owner, and owners of adjacent properties. At the same time, FTA will gather data on the environmental, social, and economic aspects of development at the waterfront. They will design and facilitate a public engagement process, which may include small informal gatherings, weekend community workshops, a waterfront education program, and presentations/discussions at community meetings and public hearings. The final report will describe the “Guiding Vision” for the waterfront, and will summarize the public input and resource analysis that led to the Vision.

The hard work of concerned citizens has paid off and the community-based visioning process has begun. With your continued support, a consensus will be reached for a world class waterfront that will benefit future generations.

NOTE: newspaper fact sheet will be mailed out in May, and the group meetings will be done in June

Golden Gate Fields / Magna Entertainment Corporation

After failing to raise enough cash to reorganize, the owners of Golden Gate Fields, Magna MEC filed for bankruptcy in both the U.S. and in Canada.

Later this summer, three of its race tracks go on the auction block as part of a court-mandated sale of properties owned by ailing Magna Entertainment— leaving the future of the Albany race track in doubt.

Rumors abound that the company’s parent firm, MI Developments (MID), which holds liens against the company and has entered a so-called “stalking horse bid” for three tracks—Golden Gate, Pimlico and Lone Star—and other real estate will move immediately to commercially develop the site.

Golden Gate Fields Auction Set for April 3

Golden Gate Fields Owner Nixes Annual Report

Fate of Golden Gate Fields Uncertain

Hearing postponed in Magna bankruptcy

Background: Golden Gate Fields is a horse racing facility with a racetrack, grandstand and parking facilities located in Albany in the middle of the Eastshore State Park. (Its horse stables are in Berkeley.) Throughout each of the changes in ownership, the property has been used as a horse-racing track since it opened in 1939, with a brief interruption during World War II. Since its heyday in the mid-1900s, the sport of horse racing has been in steady decline. Today, most tracks struggle with declining attendance and with other sporting events commanding an increasing share of the entertainment audience. Also, since much of the betting now takes place through the internet, there has been a decline in the amount of revenue the City of Albany receives, which only arrives through bets placed at the tracks.

At the end of the 1990s Magna Entertainment Corporation, a Canadian-based company bought the Golden Gate Fields Racetrack. Magna initially envisioned rejuvenating the Bay Area’s horse betting industry but Golden Gate Fields consistently fails to turn a profit. In the face of staggering losses Magna entered into an agreement with Southern California mall developer Rick Caruso to build a shopping mall in the north parking lot of Golden Gate Fields in 2005. As a result, Albany citizens work together with Citizens for East Shore Parks, Citizens for the Albany Shoreline and Albany Mayor Robert Lieber to place considerable pressure on Magna to abandon the mall plans and convert Golden Gate Fields into open space.

CESP, CAS and the Sierra Club circulated the Albany Shoreline Protection Initiative petition to block the building of the mall. The initiative called for, among other things, a 600 foot undeveloped setback from the shoreline and a moratorium on development without a public waterfront planning process. The initiative campaign succeeded in collecting more than 2,400 signatures - about a third of the Albany electorate!

With overwhelming community support for the initiative, the Albany City Council moved to place the matter on the November ballot. Magna succeeded in convincing a Superior Court to block the initiative on a technicality. However, the Albany community was unified in opposition to the Caruso mall development plan.

This community unity and action contributed to the election of two progressive candidates to the Albany City Council: Marge Atkinson and Joanne Wile, creating a progressive majority in City Council to protect the shoreline. In the face of increasing community opposition and a new City Council Caruso abandoned his mall plans in 2006. This progressive City Council prompted an independent community planning process for the waterfront to empower citizens to decide the future of the waterfront.

Private consultant Don Neuwirth drafted four alternatives for the Albany waterfront. CESP, the Sierra Club and Citizens for the Albany Shoreline (CAS) supported a Visioning Program.

The City Council recently approved a Visioning Program along the lines that CESP, CAS and the Sierra Club advanced. The Visioning Program will:

  1. First identify and obtain economic and other relevant information it feels is important for the public to make an informed decision about a community vision;
  2. Engage in an open planning process for a community vision;
  3. Put the Albany Waterfront Committee in charge of the planning process; and
  4. Make no change in zoning until the developer/landowner legally guarantees a plan to preserve the maximum amount of park and open space including Fleming Point.

This Visioning Program comes at a good time. Magna has publicly stated that it may propose a new plan for the property because it is currently losing money. CESP hopes we can create a vision that addresses the future of the property should the track close. We will be participating in the City’s future visioning program.

To view the Visioning Program of the Neuwirth report click here.

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