A community's decision
The Times-Standard
It’s a pleasure to see grass-roots democracy in action. A good example was on display Tuesday at the Eureka City Council chambers. A standing-room-only crowd turned out to hear — and comment on — the first public presentation of Rob and Cherie Arkley’s proposed Balloon Tract development, which would include 400,000-square-feet of retail shops, a parking structure, restaurants and office space along with five anchor stores and a 115,000-square-foot Home Depot.
Comments were about evenly split on the pros and cons of the proposal. Proponents say the project would transform Eureka’s downtown, enhance the city’s standing as a regional retail hub and bring in jobs and tax money. Critics raise concerns about the level of brownfield cleanup, possible impacts on already established home improvement stores and whether a “big box” is the best fit for the property.
The council is being asked to consider a requested zoning change from public to commercial, residential, office and light industrial use for the contaminated 30-acre waterfront site.
To the City Council’s credit, officials decided to hold another meeting tonight, beginning at 7 p.m. at City Hall, to give more people a chance to comment on the request before a decision on whether to consider a zoning change application is made.
Kudos as well to the Arkleys, who are planning an open house on the project from 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Wharfinger building.
Those events, and extensive reporting on the proposal, should give community residents all the basic information they need to form a decision on the massive planned development.
That’s a good thing, because — since the proponents are asking the city for a key zone change on Eureka’s largest vacant piece of land — this should be a community decision.
It’s a question of what’s best for the community and all its residents, not just any one particular buyer or seller. In fact, the current owner, Union Pacific, has left the rail site abandoned and contaminated for many years.
We urge city officials to move cautiously before committing themselves to the first tantalizing project that comes along. For that reason, all uses for the site should be identified and considered, ideally with an independent study that’s not tied to any one developer.
There’s no hurry here. Even if this project were to get under way tomorrow, completion would be years away.
Much has been said about the current blight and glittering possibilities of the untapped treasure that is Eureka’s waterfront.
Given the area’s key importance, it’s vital that we, as a community, get this exactly right — for us, and for future generations.
Comments
I'm definately against a big box on the water front of eureka
Posted by: lwieland | February 12, 2006 10:07 AM
I'm against the rezoning and the Arkley's plan.
What I would like to see is the following:
An Aquarium
Relocation of local museums
Perimeter parking
A parking garage with an " Eye in the Sky Restaurant"on top of this structure.
Open space-grassy,walking, jogging, bicycle paths.
No vehichulure traffic within this development.
Shuttle service w/in.
Shuttle,bus service to Old Town and to surrounding areas w/in Eureka and Hum. Co.
Transplant established native plants and trees. Which would include redwoods.
Also, the Aquarium coud be an educational tool for both CR and HSU.
And, what one of a hell of an attraction for the tourism traffic.
Posted by: jim lyon | February 12, 2006 04:10 PM
You know what I want... I want people like you to quit dictating the things you WANT when you don't have any capability of carrying them out. Who are you to say how the Arkley's spend their money? Nothing has been done with the property in over 25 years. Everybody talks about different things they would like to see there, but I don't see anybody else willing to put up the money to make it happen!
The proposed Marina Center will bring a ton of jobs and revenue to this county, both of which are greatly needed to help this county survive. What will happen when the people of this county no longer allow change to happen? No longer allow it to grow to allow the younger generations to stay here, to want to stay here?
This is not about big box; this is about a parcel that has tons of potential with a buyer who is willing to put up the money to make it happen. If a big box happens to go there, so be it. If you don't like Home Depot, don't shop there. That’s the nice thing about our country, you have a choice in the decisions you make that directly affect you.
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