MARTINEZ (Feb. 26, 2013): A major economic initiative intended to spur the development of Contra Costa’s waterfront assets was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors this morning.
“When it became clear to me that the new District V boundaries was going to encompass most of the northern waterfront, I asked county staff to assess its potential for economic development,” said Supervisor Federal Glover, chair of the Board of Supervisor. The newly drawn boundaries took official effect in January as a result of the 2010 Census.
Out of his request, Conservation & Development Catherine Kutsuris drafted the Northern Waterfront Development Initiative, which was introduced at the supervisors’ Feb. 26 regular weekly meeting in Martinez.
The Initiative calls for the county to call for a forum of all the stakeholders of the “working waterfront,” to see if there is a possibility of them working together to create a strategic plan for the county’s waterfront, from Richmond to Oakley.
The report excludes parks, open space and wetlands, which are all protected from development, and focuses on the shoreline. The recreational part of the shoreline takes up about 60 percent of the waterfront.
The waterfront historically has been the industrial and manufacturing center of the county, where refineries and industrial plants have been established since the early part of this century. Contra Costa County is the second most industrial county in California after the Los Angeles County.
“We want to see if there are some common interests and goals shared by the industries, cities and businesses that can be accomplished more effectively if we speak with one strong voice,” said Glover.
“We want to strengthen our assets and make the area more attractive for new businesses that will provide good-paying jobs to improve the quality of life for our residents,” said Glover. “The Northern Waterfront Initiative could be a major kick-start to Contra Costa County’s economy.”
View the attached Waterfront plan packet for more details.
