WORKSHOP SUMMARY
The first community workshop was held on June 23 from 10am - 2pm at Point Molate Building 1. We had a strong turnout of over 120 participants representing many segments of the Richmond community. To hear their stories, questions and visions for Point Molate, be sure to check out the video below.
See the agenda and tour map in the document gallery to your right.
WORKSHOP RECORDING
COMMUNITY INPUT
Comments and feedback from the attendees at Workshop 1 were collected not only during the discussion session, but also in the form of comments on informational boards, conversations with team members, and comment cards submitted to the team members by attendees.
The feedback received at Workshop 1 is organized in the following categories:
PROGRAMS AND USES
Public Art
Performing Arts/Music Venue
Convention Center or Pavilion for big events
Meeting and conference facilities
Film Commission
Shared facilities for Richmond public school extended programs, such as: maker labs for STEAM programs, Art studios/labs, community gardens and farming
Offices
High rise hotels
Dense housing, inclusive village
Live-work lofts to attract small manufacturers/makers, artisans, etc
Transitional housing for homeless
Restaurants/cafes
Grocery store
Small businesses
Spaces for non-profits
Richmond History Museum
Graffiti Museum
Wine industry
Community facilities
Youth-focused programs
Maritime academy
Art studios and galleries
Elevated structures resilient to sea level rise
Hawker fare style market with local purveyors
Generate new jobs
Reuse tanks
Reuse historic buildings for offices
Provide Velodrome
Solar Farms
Carnival or parade ground
Richmond music festival
Outdoor community plazas
Provide shading and wind protection
Educational institute
ECOLOGY + HABITAT
Habitat protection and restoration
Protect native grass
Wetland restoration and creation
Include all Eucalyptus
Protect wildcat egress
Replace eucalyptus trees with some natives; slowly over time
OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION
Hiking trails on hill side
Camping, glamping
Expansion of beach park with more picnic areas and restrooms
Kayaking facilities
Sports Fields
Connect to Crest trail
Off-leash dog parks and hiking areas
Engage East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD) in planning the Open Space
Reuse pier for green space
Keep housing areas compact to maximize open space
No houses on hills
Nature interpretation center
World-class park
Kid-oriented activities
Make shoreline accessible
Educational field trips
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
Restrict development to previously disturbed areas
Provide large setbacks from shoreline – ¼ mile
Provide wetlands all along water edge to address sea level rise
TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Bring back the Ferry
Complete Bay Trail
Improved bike access
Improved pedestrian infrastructure
Consider belt line train transport
Go off-grid – solar powered vehicles or Tesla Superchargers
Address ingress/egress issue due to a singular access point causing back up on I-580
Charge a premium for automobile parking
Upgrade site sewage treatment system
Explore infrastructure alternatives for reducing costs
Explore alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power
HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
ECONOMICS
Profit drivers can affect equity
The huge cost of preserving and rehabilitating historic buildings needs to be understood
OTHER FEEDBACK
Consider industrial tourism
Jet fuel
Inspect for seismic stability
Provide on a small discreet lodge – no housing!
Concerns about gentrification
High density housing in Drum Lot 2 and in historic core – should this be resolved?
Concerned about water levels on land fill portion of site – will not be cost effective to put housing
Supports urban livability – no gated communities
Why develop on this site when there is no water, electricity and no access?
Create a self-sustained community of 1500 people with a school and its own power plant
Take off locks to provide public access
Reuse fishing pier
Keep the site pristine
Let’s have a tree party to honor trees that are still standing
Better wayfinding signage
Bring more people to Point Molate
Start an environmental justice college
Partner with the arts community in Richmond
Build a sustainable community
It was not a judgement, but a settlement agreement between two parties that was settled by a judge
FEEDBACK ON VISIONING PROCESS
Make hardcopies of workshop materials available at libraries and planning department
Provide information on website regarding slopes
Provide more bus tours, bike tours
Provide translation at Community workshops
Need more diversity represented in the process
Translate in Chinese as well, in addition to Spanish
PHOTOS
See all the gallery walk display boards and participation photos by clicking on the image to your right.