City to scope out views on Balloon Tract
The Times-Standard EUREKA

Another step for a proposed Balloon Tract development starts next week when the city holds a “scoping” session to take public comment on the Marina Center project as part of the environmental review process.

Security National owners Rob and Cherie Arkley have applied to change the zoning at the contaminated former rail yard from public use to commercial and light industrial, The Arkleys, who are close to buying the property from Union Pacific, are proposing to build a 400,000-square-foot development including a Home Depot and other “anchor stores,” shops, restaurants and offices. Residences are planned on an adjoining parcel.

In a release, Senior Planner Sidnie Olson said the city has determined an Environmental Impact Report is necessary for the proposed project, kicking off a process that begins with the gathering of public comment regarding the scope, focus and content of the EIR.

Issues to be discussed in the draft EIR include: aesthetics, agriculture resources, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, geology/soils, hazards and hazardous materials, hydrology and water quality. Also reviewed will be land use, mineral resources, noise, population and housing, public services, recreation, transportation and traffic, utilities and service systems.

The meeting takes place April 13, 4 to 7 p.m., in City Hall, 531 K Street.

Comments on the range of actions, alternatives, environmental effects, methods of assessment, and mitigation measures may also be submitted in writing to Sidnie L. Olson, AICP, Senior Planner, Community Development Department, 531 K Street, Eureka, CA 95501 or at solson@ci.eureka.ca.gov. Written comments should be submitted no later than May 5.

For more information, visit www.ci.eureka.ca.gov/depts/cd/marina_center/default.asp.

New group says Tract alternatives needed
FROM THE TIMES-STANDARD : 03/12/2006
Kimberly Wear The Times-Standard

EUREKA -- A new group has formed to oppose a proposed development for the Balloon Tract property that includes big box anchor stores, saying their goal is to ensure “a full range of options” for the contaminated former rail yard.

Citizens for Real Economic Growth spokesman Larry Glass said that the group grew out of an organization formed during the 1999 battle over a Wal-Mart proposal for the site and an opposition meeting about the Marina Center held last month.

The 400,000-square-foot development put forward by Security National owners Rob and Cherie Arkley includes shops, restaurants, office space, a Home Depot, the Discovery Museum and lofts on an adjacent parcel.

”We are a group of everyday citizens who see a dangerous threat to our local business community from gigantic corporate bullies known for their tactics of crushing small entrepreneurs and eliminating choice in the market,” Glass said in a release. “We think there's a better way to provide good jobs without handing over control of our future to wealthy elitists.”

Glass, owner of The Works, said the nonprofit group's numbers are growing, but estimates it's in the hundreds. As of Saturday, 102 people had signed a petition against the Marina Center.

The project cleared the first hurdle last month when the City Council voted 4-1 to approve Security National's request to apply for a zoning change at the site -- the beginning of a long development process that will include several studies and eventually land before the California Coastal Commission.

Security National Vice President Brian Morrissey said estimates are showing the project would create 1,200 jobs, generate around $540,000 in taxes via the state for local schools and bring $1.1 million in sale tax revenue a year to the General Fund.

”One of other things people need to realize is Home Depot is 25 percent of the project,” he said. “While the Home Deport is important, it's not the only important thing to discuss about the Marina Center.”

Glass said Citizens for Real Economic Growth will be holding a five-part public workshop series in the near future to kick off their “campaign for true prosperity,” with subjects ranging from environmental studies and planning procedures to environmental issues and big box economics.

The group is planning to end the series with a “Rally for Real Opportunity.” The dates are expected to be announced in the next week. Other ideas for the Balloon Tract have included an aquarium or convention center.

”We will be having experts from the university, government and citizens advocacy groups to present the facts, answer questions and provide advice for citizens interested in getting active in planning our future,” Glass said.

”This is the kind of practical empowerment that can help us all understand the nuts and bolts of how our great democracy operates so we can have a healthy, productive debate in the community rather than a cynical, self-serving power grab that pits us against each other.”

Morrissey said Security National also plans to hold a series of open houses focused on different subjects. The first one scheduled for March 22 will address environmental issues. Security National is close to buying the Balloon Tract from Union Pacific and has said the agreement includes taking on responsibility for addressing the brownfield. He said they would be open to having representatives of the group at the sessions, which will also address economic impacts and big boxes.

”Rather than a divisive we/they approach, we would like to include all voices, all parts of the community, into the discussions we're having about the Marina Center,” Morrissey said.

For more information on Citizens for Real Economic Growth, visit www.saveeurekawaterfront.org.

Opposition organizing against Marina Center
FROM THE TIMES-STANDARD : 02/16/2006
Kimberly Wear The Times-Standard

EUREKA -- About 125 people filled the Wharfinger Building Wednesday to hear a series of speakers discuss reasons why a proposed development for the Balloon Tract needs to be stopped.

Organizers said from the outset that the event was about opposing the project, not to debate the merits of the Marina Center.

The subjects ranged from the 1999 battle over a Wal-Mart proposal to the economic impacts of big box stores to clean up options and ways of fighting plans for a 400,000-square-foot development that includes a Home Depot, shops and offices.

Several themes were repeated throughout the presentations, including calls for a full cleaned up -- not a capping -- of the site and a public planning process to determine what will be placed on one of the largest vacant waterfront sites in Eureka.

”It needs to be a level playing field so everybody's ideas count, not just the people who have the money,” said Old Town merchant Larry Glass. “It's going to be a long battle. Don't lose hope. Don't lose heart.”

Supervisor Bonnie Neely spoke about her experiences during the Wal-Mart battle, which caused deep divisions in the community. Measure J -- a ballot initiative bankrolled by the discount store to change the zoning at the Balloon Tract -- was defeated by 61 percent of voters.

”It's sad the same issues seemingly settled seven years ago have returned with many of the same players involved,” Neely said.

Security National owners Rob and Cherie Arkley will be making a similar request to the city, asking for zoning at the contaminated 30-acre waterfront site and adjacent parcels to be changed from public to commercial, residential, office and light industrial use.

The first hurdle was cleared earlier this month when the council approved their request to apply for the change -- the beginning of a long development process that will include several studies and eventually land before the California Coastal Commission.

Mark Lovelace of the Healthy Humboldt Coalition spoke about the impacts of big box stores, saying there are negative consequences to inviting large chain stores into communities -- including an eventual loss of choice and jobs as other businesses shut down because they can't compete.

”Having more places to spend money doesn't mean people have more money to spend,” he said.

The beginning of the organizing session was open to the public, but did not include questions or comments. Later, members of the media and supporters of the Marina Center were asked to leave while the smaller remaining crowd broke into groups to strategize an opposition.

Some city staff, representatives of Security National, Mayor Peter LaVallee and council members Chris Kerrigan and Jeff Leonard were among those who attended. All left before the strategy session began.

Kerrigan cast the sole vote against allowing the zoning change application.

Security National Vice President Brian Morrissey said the company was present not to debate or argue, but to take notes about different concerns as the Marina Center project moves forward to help “build a consensus.”

The company is hold an open house today at the Wharfinger Building from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

David Cobb, a former Green Party presidential candidate and a Democracy Unlimited steering committee member, had some strong words about the Arkleys' move to develop the Balloon Tract, which he said left Eureka with a “corporate bully coming in with a take it or leave it deal.”

He said the public process was sidetrack last year when the council voted 4-1 not to hire a consultant to create a master plan despite a series of earlier unanimous votes moving in that direction.

”In order to keep our options open, we really must stop this project,” Cobb said, saying the upcoming public forums and hearing are “window dressing.”

He urged participants to talk to friends, family and neighbors about their opposition to the Marina Center and generate heat on council members -- in a respective way -- to pursue a public process before any projects move ahead.

LINK TO ARTICLE>

Security National holds open house
FROM THE TIMES-STANDARD : 02/17/2006
Kimberly Wear The Times-Standard

EUREKA -- Crowds filtered through the Wharfinger Building Thursday during an open house hosted by Security National, where company and Home Depot representatives were available to answer questions about the proposed Marina Center project.

Stations addressing different components of the development were set up around the room including land use and zoning, entitlement and permitting, traffic engineering, site remediation, environmental cleanup and restoration, the Home Depot and the Discovery Museum.

The Security National presentation given at the City Council meeting earlier this month ran in a loop sequence on a large screen, showing 3-D images of the project's layout and design. Half-way through the three-hour event nearly 400 surveys had been filled out by attendees.

”We're interested in two things generally -- what was the consensus. Was it for or opposed,” said Security National Vice President Brian Morrissey.

There was also a large space for people to leave comments, which Morrissey said would allow the company to see what was liked or disliked about the proposal and to get new ideas that would “help us build a better plan.”

Security National owners Rob and Cherie Arkley are close to buying the contaminated former rail yard from Union Pacific.

The project cleared the first hurdle earlier this month when the City Council voted 4-1 to allow the Arkleys to apply for a zoning change at the waterfront parcel across the street from the Wharfinger Building.

Now, a lengthy development process begins that will include several studies and eventually land before the California Coastal Commission.

Attendees had a range of ideas about the Marina Center plans, which call for 400,000-square-feet of development, including a Home Depot, shops, offices, restaurants, a Discovery Museum and residential units on an adjacent parcel.

Maggy Herbelin, founder of Humboldt Bay Stewards and a former candidate for the harbor district board, said she has been talking with Security National about her idea for a culinary seafood institute and convention center that could tie in with the College of the Redwoods' tourism and hospitality program.

”I think there should be a flag-ship project that compliments the bay,” she said. “It's a seaport town, let's do something that capitalizes on that.”

Others, like Patrick Daly, were thrilled with the current proposal.

”I think it's exciting -- the potential for this project and what it will mean to our community,” he said.

Daly said the project will replace blight with a beautiful project that brings in jobs and prepares Eureka for the next step in the city's future with the inevitable growth that's coming to Humboldt County.

”I think it complements the Wharfinger Building and the bay,” he said.

Chuck Dewitt was more in the middle -- happy with some aspects and concerned with others.

”In general, I like the development of the Balloon Tract,” he said. “I just don't like the Home Depot.”

He also said there should be a full cleanup at the site -- paid for by corporate dollars not redevelopment funds.

”I like a lot of the things about the project,” he said. “I'm just totally against capping it. It needs to be cleaned up.”

At a basic level, capping means paving over contaminated soils to prevent rainwater runoff and movement of the pollutants by wind, humans or animals while a full clean up would have contaminated soils removed from the site.

Security National officials have said the latter would not be economically feasible.

Home Depot representative Brian Cannard, real estate manager for the Northwest division, said those he spoke with were generally enthusiastic about his company's involvement in the project. He said Home Depot has agreed not to pursue other potential sites in the area while the Marina Center project moves through the process.

”A lot of folks are happy that we're considering coming to town so they can shop locally,” Cannard said, saying the company has been specifically interested in a Eureka location.

Also on hand was project opponent David Cobb, a Democracy Unlimited steering committee member.

”What we have here is a very fancy and elaborate show,” he said. “But there's no place for genuine public input, which you know goes to the heart of the opposition.”

Security National representatives did attend Wednesday's forum put on by three community groups -- including Democracy Unlimited -- which are forming an organized opposition to the Marina Center.

The groups are trying to stop the project and have the city go through the process of creating a master plan that would include public input and options for other uses like a convention center or aquarium.

Morrissey said he spent time at the open house talking with several people who are against the project.

”We're just asking them to keep an open mind,” he said. “Maybe there is a way we can build consensus.”

LINK TO ARTICLE>

BACK TO TOP