The proposed Ferry Point Boating Instruction & Safety Center in Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline has moved to the front of the line for a $5 million California Department of Boating & Waterways (DBW) grant. The proposed facility, a collaboration among San Francisco State University, East Bay Regional Parks District and the City of Richmond, would provide a variety of boating education, training and user opportunities for Richmond residents.

Attached is a copy of a letter from DBW with the news that the San Francisco State proposal has achieved what is best described in their process as "preliminary approval" and is, therefore, now in the queue for DBW capital outlay projects. Moreover, the Ferry Point BISC has moved up in the priority order such that it is now being considered "for preliminary plan funding in the 2004/05 budget. Assuming no major changes to DBW's budget over the next four years, funding could be available for construction in fiscal year 2006/07." It is believed that Ferry Point is actually number one in the queue.