|
Where is the Redwood City Saltworks Site?
The Saltworks is located in Redwood City just off Highway 101 along Seaport Blvd. This area of the city is home to Pacific Shores Center, Seaport Centre, and several other industrial and commercial operations. What exactly is the Saltworks site and what goes on there? This 1,433-acre industrial site has been home to a variety of industrial salt-making operations since 1901. Heavy industrial equipment and bulldozers have been used on the site for many years to facilitate the salt-making process. What are you proposing for the site? At this point, there is no proposed plan. The DMB Redwood City Saltworks team has sought feedback from the local community since June of 2006 to ensure we can create a plan that responds to the priorities and goals of the residents. Who is DMB Associates? DMB Associates is a nationally acclaimed real estate company known for its environmental sensitivity and new urbanist ideas. DMB places great emphasis on involving area residents and community leaders before, during and after the planning process. DMB's business practices are predicated on creating truly great places and on building lasting relationships with stakeholders, municipalities, landowners and communities. Wasn't this land sold to the government a couple of years ago? No. Cargill donated and sold 16,500 acres (roughly the size of Manhattan Island in New York City) to the state and federal governments in 2003. The Redwood City Saltworks site was offered for sale at that time and government officials declined to purchase it. Cargill engaged DMB to lead an extensive community outreach program asking residents of Redwood City to participate in helping plan for future uses of this industrial site. So what are the next steps in planning the future of this site? DMB Associates is leading an extensive public outreach and public participation process to solicit opinions and suggestions from Redwood City residents. Our outreach includes surveys, forums, one-on-one and small group meetings, mail-back response cards, on-line questionnaires and other public involvement opportunities. A draft plan for the long-term use of the site will be drafted and circulated for public review. If the long-term plan includes a change in current industrial land uses, then it will be filed with Redwood City and formal public review will begin. Who will be directing this program and how can I get in touch with them? John Bruno of DMB Associates will manage the outreach and planning process. You may contact John at (650) 366-0500 or online at: info@rcsaltworks.com Will you build high rises? No. Pursuant to the community’s wishes and local building ordinances, DMB Redwood City Saltworks will not include plans for high rise structures. How long until the construction process can begin? At this time, it’s too early to say. However, we can provide a basic assessment of project timeline. First, the Saltworks plan must be created as part of a community planning process. Next, a full environmental impact report (EIR) will be prepared by independent consultants, and will study any impacts the project may have to a comprehensive list of environmental factors. Following a public comment period on the environmental documentation, the plan will go before the Redwood City Planning Commission and City Council. Who are your land planners? Our land planning team is comprised of some of the world’s finest urban designers, waterfront planners and wetlands restoration experts that will help the Saltworks team implement a plan reflective of the community’s vision for this site. Please take this opportunity to learn more about each of our renowned planners:
We don’t know. The amount of housing will be collectively decided upon through the DMB Redwood City Saltworks community outreach process. What experience does your company have building communities? DMB is one of the nation’s premier developers of high-quality and environmentally sensitive communities. We have planned legacy communities across the western United States, including California, Hawaii, Utah and Arizona. How will DMB address the community’s civic infrastructure, like transportation and water services and police and fire protection? DMB Redwood City Saltworks is committed to becoming a positive addition to the Redwood City and Bay Area community. That means we must study and address issues such as transportation and water infrastructure as well as police and fire protection to ensure we add to the vitality of the area. In the coming months, the Saltworks team will work closely with expert planners and the City to identify and sensible address these important planning elements. |
   |
