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| CORRECTIONS: It is the Costal Conservancy, not the Coastal Commission. The link to make verbal comments has also been corrected.
The California State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) meets on November 21, 2024, to affirm the funding of $36 million (actually “up to $35,985,000”) for acquisition of 52 acres of Point Molate currently owned by Point Molate Futures, LLC (wholly owned by Guidiville Rancheria of California). The SCC staff report argues that the $36 million is a “bargain sale price,” although the actual appraisal has never been made public. Appraisals typically arrive at a value based on the “highest and best use,” which is defined as, “The reasonably probable and legal use of property, that is physically possible, appropriately supported, and financially feasible, and that results in the highest value.” Prior to this year, Point Molate arguably had an appraised value of tens of millions of dollars, based on the zoning and general plan designation that allowed a mixed-use development. Since the Richmond City Council pulled the plug on those entitlements earlier this year, the only feasible use left is open space, which, without economic entitlements, is close to zero. The SCC Staff report notes, “The acquisition will permanently remove the possibility of low-to-medium density, residential; mixed use development on these lots.”
Agenda Item 18. Consideration and possible authorization to disburse up to $35,985,000 to East Bay Regional Park District to acquire approximately 52 acres at Point Molate in the City of Richmond, County of Contra Costa, to create a regional shoreline park that will protect, and may restore and enhance, open space, natural, scenic, cultural, and historic resources; and that will provide compatible public and California Native American tribal access, including recreational and visitor-serving amenities.
Incidentally, the Guidiville Rancheria of California is not happy about the sale or the accuracy of the SCC staff report. See Guidiville Public Comment.
Although the proposed funding is limited to parcels other than those occupied by the Winehaven Historic District, the objective of reserving the 52 acres for park use does not bode well for the future of the Winehaven Historic District. The funding for acquisition of 52 acres of Point Molate is inextricably connected to the future of Winehaven, yet none of the high-profile advocates of the proposed park has ever responded to the question I have raised many times about the future of Winehaven. This question has been posed to Senator Nancy Skinner. East Bay Regional Parks Dircector Elizabeth Echols, Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, and the entire Richmond City Council. The only response I have received are accusations of trolling by their supporters.
The only mention of the future of Winehaven in the SCC staff report is that the park, “may restore and enhance, open space, natural, scenic, cultural, and historic resources.” Although Winehaven is a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places there is no mention of this fact in the SCC staff report, which includes only:
Point Molate has a rich and complex history. It has long been important to California Native Americans and includes sacred sites and cultural resources. Major post[1]contact uses have included a ranch (established 1817) associated with Mission Dolores, Chinese shrimp camps (late 1800s early 1900s), a railroad wharf (from early 1900s), whaling and fish processing (the last whaling station in the US, which closed in 1968), a quarry, winemaking, and a US Navy fueling depot. Winehaven became the largest and most modern winemaking plant in its day, as depots destroyed in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake were rebuilt at Point Molate. In 1941, the US Navy took the site for a fueling depot.
The 35 structures in the Winehaven Historic District totaling some 300,000 square feet are nearly 120 years old and have had almost no maintenance for the past 30 years, and they continue to deteriorate. Currently, the City of Richmond has legal responsibility for securing and maintaining Winehaven, but they are not doing it. This is now the subject of a lawsuit brought by the Winehaven Trust against the City of Richmond.
Prior to Prohibition, Winehaven was the largest winery in the world and the epicenter of the California Wine Industry, which now generates nearly $90 billion in economic activity. Winehaven was constructed only a year after the City of Richmond was chartered.
At the peak of the season, as many as 400 workers, mostly Italian immigrants, lived at Winehaven, and all of the California Wine Association's shipments to foreign, coastal and New York markets sailed from the Winehaven dock, as much as half a million gallons monthly, including 40 ships that sailed annually for New York alone.
The winery was shut down by Prohibition in 1919, and the company sold off its assets to avoid bankruptcy, but Winehaven had a second life in WWII when the Navy converted it into the main fuel depot for the Pacific Fleet, including the 747 ships built in Richmond at the world’s largest shipyard, now commemorated by Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historic park.
The fate of Winehaven is now in the hands of multiple public agencies, including the City of Richmond, the East Bay Regional Parks District and the California State Coastal Commission. Its historic role in the California Wine Industry is of statewide importance, and Winehaven should be saved for the benefit of future generations.
The endgame for Winehaven, unfortunately, does not look good. The coalition of the Richmond Progressive Alliance (RPA), the Point Molate Alliance (PMA), the Sierra Club, John Gioia, East Bay Regional Parks District, Senator Nancy Skinner and other out pf towners loke Robert Cheats, advocating for a regional park have never included a viable Winehaven rehabilitation and adaptive reuse in their plans, although they have typically paid lip service to its preservation – like it could just happen. In fact, those who have spoken out on the subject have expressed either disdain for Winehaven or admitted that it doesn’t fit into their park plans.
Richmond City Council member Doria Robinson recently wrote, comparing Winehaven to the fire-destroyed International Hotel:
Winehaven doesn’t have the same multilayer historical resonance, was only operating a few years and is removed from community members.
Jeff Kilbreth, acknowledged by the RPA and PMA as their go-to guru on Point Molate real estate economics recently told the Grandview Independent that Winehaven should be “bulldozed.”
Part of the problem of moving toward a resolution is an illusion that Winehaven can be turned into a successful development and cover renovation costs, said Jeff Kilbreth. “I honestly suspect that the best thing that could happen would be if we bulldozed Winehaven and made it all a park. Call me crazy, but I actually think that it’s so deteriorated and so expensive to make that place work as any kind of normal development,” Kilbreth said. The SCC has an affirmative obligation to consider cultural resources The Conservancy’s “Coastal Access Project Standards,” includes recognition of cultural resources:The Conservancy’s goals for coastal access includes access that is equitable and barrier-free; enhances inclusive public visitation; protects sensitive ecological areas; accounts for coastal hazards; incorporates sustainable design; encourages non-motorized transportation; fosters appreciation and stewardship of the coast’s natural and cultural Projects should consider cultural and natural resources, as well as hazards. Project planning, design, construction, and management; and links communities to the coast.
Standard #6: Cultural Resources, Natural Environment, and Hazards. Projects should consider cultural and natural resources, as well as hazards. Project planning, design, construction, and management should: Assess and consider any sensitive cultural resources on or near the site such as archeological sites, historic sites, historic structures, and cultural landscapes. Projects should avoid or minimize adverse impacts to cultural resources and, if possible, enhance the cultural resource. Also see Standard #4.
In the past, the SCC has extensively evaluated cultural resources in various projects, including, for example:
The East Bay Regional Parks District, which is the SCC’s partner in funding the acquisition of 144 acres of Point Molate also has a fundamental mission to preserve cultural resources, but neither has the District, its staff or its elected board responded to any questions about the future of Winehaven. The lands managed by the East Bay Regional Park District have a rich history and diverse cultural background. Cultural resources include archaeological, historical, and scientifically valuable sites, areas, and objects. The District has a responsibility to preserve the legacy and the history of the peoples who occupied this land before the District was established and park properties acquired, as well as to preserve the history of the District itself.
If anyone wants to make a public comment can join Zoom, as follows:
- Zoom (To Make Comments): In addition to in-person participation, remote participation is available to members of the public via Zoom webinar. To participate via Zoom, you must register for the Zoom Webinar at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5sk3KafyQDy7v54oiIgC-Q After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
- Webcast (Watch Only): To watch the meeting and not provide verbal comments, please view the webcast at this site: https://cal-span.org. If you do not wish to provide verbal comments, we strongly recommend watching the webcast as this will free up space on the webinar for those who are providing verbal comments. If you intend to make verbal comments, please do not view the webcast, and then switch over to the Zoom webinar or phone to comment, as the webcast will have a time delay and you may miss the opportunity to comment.
Editor’s Note: Tom Butt Historic Preservation Credentials:
Tom Butt, Founder of Interactive Resources, Inc. and Former Richmond Mayor, Receives National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Highest Honor
Richmond, CA, November 1, 2024 – The National Trust for Historic Preservation has awarded the prestigious Louise du Pont Crowninshield Award to Tom Butt, founder and President of Interactive Resources, Inc. This esteemed award, the National Trust’s highest national honor, recognizes Tom Butt’s decades of dedication to historic preservation and his transformative contributions to communities in Richmond and beyond.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to safeguarding America's historic treasures for over 70 years, annually invites nominations from preservation experts nationwide. The selection process involves rigorous review by members of the National Trust’s Board of Trustees, who honor individuals whose efforts have made a profound and lasting impact on historic preservation.
“Tom has been a pioneer in the preservation of heritage sites, ensuring they are not only remembered but celebrated as vital, active parts of our community. His work has inspired a new era of thoughtful preservation that integrates sustainable practices and inclusive community development,” said Andrew Butt, Managing Principal at Interactive Resources, Inc.
Throughout his career, Tom Butt has been instrumental in preserving numerous historical sites and spearheaded the creation of the Point Richmond Historic District, the restoration of East Brother Light Station, and the establishment of the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historic Park. These efforts reflect his commitment to safeguarding Richmond’s historical legacy while fostering a greater appreciation for the role historic places play in shaping resilient and vibrant communities.
In addition to his role at Interactive Resources, Inc., Tom served on the Richmond City Council and as Richmond’s Mayor, where he advanced policies that supported the preservation of cultural landmarks and provided avenues for sustainable urban growth.
This award highlights Tom Butt’s enduring legacy as a leader in historic preservation and celebrates the community impact achieved through his lifelong dedication to preserving America’s historic places.
About Interactive Resources, Inc.
Interactive Resources, Inc. is an architecture, engineering, and historic preservation firm based in Richmond, California. With a 51-year history of combining sustainable design practices with community engagement, the firm has completed impactful projects across a wide range of sectors, with a legacy in historic preservation that traces back to its founding by Tom Butt.
For more information, please contact Interactive Resources, Inc. at (510) 236-7435 or info@intres.com. |
