Last week a fancy door hanger was left on my property in Henderson Center concerning the Marina Center. It said that Brian Morrissey was sorry to have missed us. The front said "Introducing the Marina Center. For our Environment, Community and Economy."
The leaflet claims the project will transform the "Eyesore that had become a magnet for drugs, vagrancy and crime." Nothing to argue with so far. The Balloon Tract/Track needs something done.
"More than 1,000 jobs will be created." Sustained jobs, replacement jobs or temporary jobs? Living wage jobs? I have heard the Home Depot Workers will average $12 an hour with benefits. What about the Pierson workers? Shafer's? Myrtletown Lumber? Are we just trading jobs? I do like the idea of construction jobs and the light industrial element.
"Up to 1.8 million generated annually to Benefit Eureka Schools public safety and affordable housing." Again, if we are talking new moneys created, who can argue with that? Are the figures accurate or just pie in the sky?
"The project will include Recreational amenities such as the Discovery Museum and bike and walking paths connecting Marina Center to Eureka's Historic Downtown." Wouldn't that be great? I am sure no one would argue with this element.
"It (the Marina Center Project) will restore natural wetlands in Clark Slough, restore and permanently protect 10 acres as a coastal wetlands preserve and meet or exceed all local, state and federal clean up standards." Wow! what a terrific wonderful project. If all the information I have ever heard was this leaf, why would I argue this project?
But let me tell you the facts, this is a hot potato issue. People in Eureka are either violently for this project or against this project. I can confidently say after knocking on thousands of doors in the Eureka area the last two election campaigns that people are for the Marina Center project. Personally I am not passionate for or against this project. I have been vocal in opposition to the Home Depot element. Take out this equation and this thing is a slam dunk. As far as environmental concerns, I am waiting more data.
By the way, our house at 3222 D st is for rent at $950 a month. It is 2 Bedroom 1 and 1/2 Bath with a family room/ car port/yard with fruit (apple and plums) trees/ 200sq ft basement with carpet for storage. We have had a ridiculous amount of calls of inquiry. Many people have offered more in deposit and rent. And nearly 30% from out of town wanting to relocate. I can testify we have a housing problem.
56 minutes ago
49 comments:
Exactly how much in the way of "drugs, vagrancy and crime" has been connected to the BT since the big hurricane fence went up along its entire perimeter? C'mon Morrissey, that's completely disingenuous rhetoric about a problem that is no longer there.
If the drugs, vacancy and crime have gone down since the fence was put in, I think Marina Center gets the credit. The fence wouldn't have gone up if Security National hadn't of bought the property in anticipation of Marina Center.
Next question: If the drugs, vagrancy and crime did indeed go down or disappear since the fence went up, where did it go? The people that were hanging at the Balloon Tract had to go somewhere.
Richard, you contradict yourself. First you state that people in Eureka are either violently for or against this project (and violently is probably not the best adjective you could have used), then you state that you are not passionate for or against it. I think that the majority of people in Eureka are apathetic and really couldn't care less one way or the other.
8:45am-That is a fair comment. I guess I should have stated that the people who do have an opinion on the project are usually passionate. And yes, there are many people who could care less. But I have talked to enough people door to door to safely say the majority of the people in Eureka are for the project.
Majority Apathetic? How can you ignore the hundreds of people showing up to support the Marina Center at the Wharfinger and the hundreds that have shown up at the same venue for a workshop (Citizens For Real Econmic Growth)opposing the current project as it exists. This is going to be a hot topic issue for the next few years.
"Violent" may have been too strong of wording. Sorry.
That's probably true. I'm not sure I personally know anyone that's against it. Most people I actually talk to are either for it(probably the majority) or don't care much about it one way or the other.
I ran into a gal that was canvassing neighborhoods for Security National a few weeks ago. She was giving out material, answering questions and getting a feel for what people were thinking about Marina Center. She said most she met were positive about Marina Center.
I told her I already knew all about it so she asked the guy I was talking to what he felt about it. He had no idea what she was talking about and she had to explain what Marina Center was all about to him. He seemed happy with the idea from what he heard.
Strange as it may seem, there are a lot of people who don't read the news regularly and thus know little or nothing about the issue(s).
Richard,remember they were giving free food and drinks at those events.I personally know folks who are against the project,yet went to the event to grub on salmon and grab a few drinks.As a matter of fact they had an event a few weeks ago at the Avalon in which if you signed a petition,you got in.I know 2 ladies who took advantage of that one,and I'm still chiding them for it.
But that's right,take out the Home Depot and any other big box element and you have a project which will be agreed on by all.Unfortunately,Security National seems to have no interest in working with those who oppose that element,and continuing one's grudge with Pierson at the expense of many local businesses is more important.
Rich wrote,"3222 D Street".
I thought that address sounded familiar. Just drove by there and confirmed to myself that I used to mow the lawn there years ago.
We all are still waiting for the EIR. The site needs to be cleaned-up and seismic studies should be considered, since the property is in the tsunami.
in the tsunami zone. Excuse me for not completing my sentence.
Can't wait till they build it and why the hek should they "work" with those who oppose the anchor store? And I believe working witht those who oppose it means giving into them?
just a thought.
Richard I am sure you already know this but be careful of those offering more money for your place. Some of those folks could be growers looking to wreck your house — even the innocent looking ones with families.
All I'm saying is beware of those bearing gifts
Richard, hundreds of people does not constitue a majority when you consider that are approximately 50,000 people in the greater Eureka area. The majority of people in Eureka are apathetic about most political issues that you seem to be enthralled by. By the way, have you talked to Don Grace to see what he is building behind your "D" Street house? He purchsed that 112.5' x 300' lot recently for $155,000.
I am not a fan of the Arkleys, but this project seems like a good one. It needs to be tied to increased housing development like the one in Cutten being proposed. Eureka is in trouble, it is wasting away. So many people are fighting change in this town meanwhile things just keep getting worse. We have to encourage retirees to move up here, and they will once new housing and new development comes in.
Home Depot is not the death of Piersons, we all know how many people shop locally up here.
Take a look at what happened in Bend Oregon, Windsor Ca, Clear Lake Ca, and many other towns. They increased the population which spurred growth in the private sector and lined the municipal governments pockets with fresh cash to pave roads and fund general plans. Please don't be afraid of change!
It's called urban sprawl, and if you like it, then move to Bend, Redding, Santa Rosa, or Windsor. Leave Eureka natural, and leave the woods in Cutten alone. I'm willing to have a little less money and a better quality of life WITHOUT urban sprawl. Anon 3:02, I'll bet you a dime to a dollar you weren't born in Humboldt County. Yes, I am a "local", and I do not want new development.
Yeah, go go Windsor, home of fRank (P)riggs, Home Depot and endless sprawl, where the citizens are not allowed to incorporate their own town into a city since its been turned into the cash cow for county government (sounding familiar, McKinleyville?) and is about as butt-ugly as any city in Sonoma Co. could possibly be. Yup, that's exactly what we want here.
Actually, yes I was born in Eureka. I am planning on moving because this place is stagnant. You want to keep everything the same, but the world that exists outside of Humboldt is changing. For one, the population is growing, where are the homes to accommodate this? Where is the infill at the very least? Where are the new apartment buildings, and where are all the decent landlords? Where are the living wage jobs that take advantage of talent? Where is the diversity?
Eureka is a backwater, and some people like it that way. But fess up to it. You arnt protecting the environment, you arnt increasing quality of life. You just dont like change!
2:34pm-Don Grace is building 5 new houses behind my property. Yes we have talked.
Fred: Pain in the butt to mow, huh?
Opposing Marina Center will be the issue that breaks the back of Eureka 'Liberals'. The moderate Democrats I know are not in any way opposed to MC. Its the anti-development people (Of both parties) who will be shocked to find the opposition that existed for Walmart just doesn't exist to oppose MC.
The opposition doesn't exist that cares to stop the Marina Center.But it does exist to stop Home Depot.
My God, I don't know ANYONE who is in favor of either HD or MC and I hang with a pretty mainstream crowd.
It will be underwater in 25 years, just let it turn back into marsh like nature intended.
"Anonymous said...
It will be underwater in 25 years, just let it turn back into marsh like nature intended."
You are probably right anonymous.
And all those homes built behind levees in the central valley will probably be underwater, too.
Maybe it is time to curb growth.
At the least, pay attention.
Rich wrote, "Fred: Pain in the butt to mow, huh?".
Yep. I was glad to get rid of that place. It was actually dumped on me by another gardener, Ron Sharp. He came by and asked me if I wanted a new account. He didn't want to do it anymore. I went ahead and took it.
I knocked on about half the doors in Eureka in the last election too.
Richard is right in that the Marina Center evokes a lot of passion among Eurekans who vote.
But I would disagree that a sizeable majority of Eurekans favor this project. In my experience, I found it to be about 50-50.
Larry Glass, the candidate who was by far the most outspoken critic of the Marina Center as proposed, won election to the City Council by the widest margin of any Eureka race on the ballot.
I agree with Richard there is a lot to like about the Marina Center as proposed. But the Home Depot element sinks it as a viable project. If Home Depot were removed and more residential housing affordable to the middle class were added, the community just might unite behind it.
Is Richard Marks running against Wes Chesbro for the Assembly?
http://www.marinacenter.org/Default.aspx
If you look at the homepage for the Marina Center, the "Bird's Eye View" shot is a fairly realistic view of what the Marina Center really is-
The marsh is a major variable because it takes along time for it to really look like an active habitat, but with the right plants, grading, and excution, it could be really great in 10-20 years.
But look at the rest of the project. It is literally a big parking lot with giant metal warehouse buildings. It's basically a larger, uglier eureka mall, right across from the bay!
Why would anyone want this? Please tell me how this is going to be great for everyone?
I just don't get it- the tax dollars that come in will be replacing those from other businesses, too numerous to mention.
If I were to guess, Arkley took out the Best Buy to soften the relationship with Larry Glass. But Pierson Building Center's obvious liberal politics must go- therefore we get a home depot and a giant parking lot. Boy are we lucky.
If the site was cleaned up, housing would be perfect for this site. People could walk right downtown to shop, without getting in a car. The marsh could border a park, rather than a parking lot.
Everyone knows (or maybe not?) that this development will look just like any other home deport big box mall/parking lot. Heavy traffic will follow. There is endless examples of this all over the country.
Why do we want this here? On a site that is so close to the waterfront? A marina. The Wharfinger.
The ONLY plus I see is the marsh. Does that make this project worth building?
This has been a productive forum. Let's keep it going.
We all love our community (I hope)
It's important to continue the discussion.
Peter Lavallee was against the Arkleyville plan, but he lost. Can you explain that one to us Andrew?
He barely lost. I voted against him. Nonetheless, he barely lost.
Something like a 30 vote spread? Or was that the time before that?
You people did notice that the Republican candidates in Eureka in 2006 had signs EVERYWHERE, along with other advertising saturation. It was disgusting. That's how they won. And the piss poor press locally refusing to discuss issues realistically didn't help the Democrats either. The Arkley sycophants spreading their laughable propaganda about the Marina Center in the Eureka Reporter, etc. was predictable, along with the other Arkley papers like the Arkley Eye and Arkley Coast Journal. Arkley wants that Home Depot for political reasons, not to help the community. The Arkleys don't give a damn about the community. All they care about is controlling the community. If you don't see the truth of that then you must be blind.
Contrast that with David Cobb, who couldn't even be bothered to have a sign supporting his own candidacy when he was running for PRESIDENT, or should I say running a fake campaign to keep Nader off the ballot in California. As long as the local progressive let losers like that define our agenda we won't get anywhere.
Why don't you guys try to stick to the real issue here and discuss the Balloon Tract. Enough about politics.
I'd appreciate hearing someone not associated with the Marina Center speak about how it is going to be great for this site, and this community-
To hell with the Marina Center! Let's talk about politics and corruption, which is a related topic after all. Hey Richard, since you have been appointed to a voting seat on the Humboldt Democratic Central Committee, I suppose you will want to do a story on the private fundraiser AIPAC is holding for Mike Thompson 8-12-2007 in St. Helena. Richard, Mike Thompson is not only an NRA supporter of killing defenseless endangered species, Mike Thompson is apparently willing to take AIPAC, Boeing & Lockheed Martin's money to keep quiet about the coming attack against the Iranian people, who are also soon to become an endangered species if pro-war special interest groups like AIPAC get their way. How do you explain Mike Thompson's blatant corruption?
Wheee-look at that spin!
Paymaster? I must be in the wrong line.
The most telling point IMHO is that when the Eureka City Council took input from the public on the Marina Center, the majority of people who spoke against were from outside the city limits. I agree that the overwhelming majority of the people who live in Eureka want the Marina Center or couldn't care either way. This is just a simple fact and offered with no opinion either for or against. When this comes back before the council, while they will hear all the comments, the will only LISTEN TO the Eureka residents and voters.
Do you have to kiss Robin Arkley, Junior's ass for a living to be considered a "Eureka resident" by the Arkley political hacks?
Regardless of what you think of the Arkleys, they live right smack in the middle of Eureka.
Despite just living a couple blocks away from them, myself, I can't imagine anyone with their money living where they do, unless they had an interest in Eureka and the people who live there.
Oh, excuse me....HERE.
If I had their money, I'd live out in Cutten, Humboldt Hill, or somewhere with a little less riff- raff.
Why should the city council members give a rat's ass what outsiders say when the only people they answer to are those that vote for them?
6:44pm,Eureka residents who opposed Teen Challenge moving over to Wabash Ave,and increasing their size and profits feel the same way.
As far as Marina Center goes,it's a county issue.All residents in the county will be dealing with that traffic and road repair problem.That and the devastating affect that big box development will have on local businesses throughout the county.
"It is...a big parking lot with giant metal warehouse buildings...right across from the bay!"
That and a probable increase in traffic in an often congested part of the city. Ugh.
Having an anchor tenant which occupies so many square feet of the development is probably the only thing which would make it possible.
This forum almost seems to prove that most people don't understand the reality of the Marina Center. All they read into is Security National's propaganda, and that any resistance to this project is simply from people that don't want to see progress.
Sad, but apparently true.
Hurting local businesses which have provided for the community and provided a stable tax base for years is progress?
Lots of activity on the Balloon Track today.
greeg......whoooeeee, go piss up a rope
I can't believe arkley used that image of the parking lot & marsh
honest, but such a sorry reality
better than just showing those architectural drawings that make everything look like disneyland
No positive reasons to build a Home Depot other than to replace "blight"
Figured nobody had any real reasons, other than taking the obvious political sides...
pathetic
9:20pm I heard they have great Hot Dogs. Don't have enough of them in Humboldt County.
FW1997 rightly points out an argument which is always used when a developer wishes to build something of questionable value to the community: "It's better than what is there."
This argument always ignores the more important question: what might be possible? Is Home Depot the best we can do on our bayfront?
I'd rather tolerate the blight until we come up with a better plan.
I am still holding out for a ballpark! We already have a sweet Basketball court on the Waterfront. Know what that is? (I was against that project. Could have been a better land use such as a aquatic park.)
Those who wish to "curb growth" are living in a world of dreams. Just think of the "socially responsible" people who a generation ago chose to have small families for the sake of the environment. Now, to their chagrin, they realize the resources that are not being used by their (nonexistent) children are instead being used by the all-too-real children of illegal aliens who have come here from south of the border.
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