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Figure 1 - In addition to attracting wine sippers from around the Bay Area, the Riggers Loft serves as a favorite event venue, the only one left on Richmond’s 32 miles of waterfront.
Figure 2 - The Riggers Loft, with its stunning Bay views, is a favorite venue for weddings
In its relentless campaign to put the Riggers Loft Wine Company out of business, the Richmond Progressive Alliance (RPA) controlled City Council is sending the city attorney to court on Monday, November 4, 2024 (the day before election day) to seek a final eviction order. If they are successful, that will be the end of the Riggers Loft Wine Company. Never mind that the Riggers Loft Wine Company has more than repaid the City’s investment in the rehabilitation of the Riggers Loft, that the City enjoys rent-free space for its Port Office in the Riggers Loft, or that with the transition of the Craneway to pickleball, the Riggers Loft remains the only event venue left on Richmond’s waterfront. (By the way, the pickleball-operated Assemble restaurant appears to be failing and will probably close soon; the pickleball operation may follow).
None of that is important to the anti-business RPA City Council members who are laser focused on revenge.
The campaign of the RPA to oust the Riggers Loft for failure to pay full rent during Covid, is based on petty political motives and misguided aspirations to make Richmond the supply depot for an offshore wind industry that is, at best, years (and hundreds of miles) away. The political motive is based on my involvement in restoring the Riggers Loft and in advocating for its tenant, the Riggers Loft Wine Company. The RPA City Council continues to pursue, to the detriment of the City, every opportunity to erase whatever beneficial act I had the good fortune to be involved in when I was mayor. They have never forgotten that they ultimately had to admit complete defeat after their effort to speciously sue me was unsuccessful.
It is entirely possible that the only way left to save the Riggers Loft Wine Company and the Riggers Loft as an event venue is to oust the RPA candidates in the November 5 election. A new majority of the City Council could put the brakes on the eviction and negotiate a resolution that would benefit everyone.
Without a tenant to protect it, the Riggers Loft will fall into the same state of disrepair and neglect as the other historic Port of Richmond Buildings, including the Cafeteria and the General Warehouse.
Figure 3 - The General Warehouse, just a few feet away from the Riggers Loft, is surrounded by trash and covered by graffiti.
Figure 4 - In addition to trash and graffiti, the General Warehouse is a frequent venue for sideshows.
Figure 5 - Car participating in sideshow at General Warehouse crashes into Riggers Loft
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