Sausalito Debates $25 Million Harbor Plan
Posted Nov 20, 2007 @ 10:47 am, Viewed by 299 Visitors, Read 309 Times.
The face of Sausalito real estate will be taking on a decidedly different look if proponents of the Sausalito Harbor Project have their way. The $25 million proposal suggests building a 20-foot wide walkable quay to create a harbor area. The harbor will provide access for boaters and a potential for commercial services such as water taxis, pick-up points for recreational fishermen, and water related sightseeing excursions.
Advocates see the harbor as a boost to the city’s economy. The quay will serve as a promenade, adding to Sausalito’s outdoor space. The harbor will allow boaters access to the city by providing docking facilities for up to 70 boats and could even serve as a launching point for the ever-popular “Bay Swims”. Supporters envision a marine “farmers market” where fishermen sell their catch-of-the-day, and even have suggested the possibility of using the Sausalito harbor as an emergency staging area in the event of disaster.
Not everyone in town agrees, however. As with any proposal of this magnitude, there is always another side to the story. Opponents of the Harbor Project suggest that there may well be a hidden agenda, and while the plan looks good on the surface, at the end of the day, it isn’t a good fit for Sausalito. Concerns voiced include apprehension that there are commercial motivations beyond what is being represented, and that the village atmosphere will take on a Pier 39-ish feel (referencing the famous San Francisco tourist attraction).
This promises to be an ongoing, long-lasting issue – and I, for one, will be watching with interest. There will be many hoops to jump through and money to be found in order for this project to go forward. If it is successful, Sausalito will take on a new appearance and will be reinvented; which leads me to wonder what will happen to the old Sausalito – the one with artist colonies, quirky shops, and floating homes. I guess time will tell.
Advocates see the harbor as a boost to the city’s economy. The quay will serve as a promenade, adding to Sausalito’s outdoor space. The harbor will allow boaters access to the city by providing docking facilities for up to 70 boats and could even serve as a launching point for the ever-popular “Bay Swims”. Supporters envision a marine “farmers market” where fishermen sell their catch-of-the-day, and even have suggested the possibility of using the Sausalito harbor as an emergency staging area in the event of disaster.
Not everyone in town agrees, however. As with any proposal of this magnitude, there is always another side to the story. Opponents of the Harbor Project suggest that there may well be a hidden agenda, and while the plan looks good on the surface, at the end of the day, it isn’t a good fit for Sausalito. Concerns voiced include apprehension that there are commercial motivations beyond what is being represented, and that the village atmosphere will take on a Pier 39-ish feel (referencing the famous San Francisco tourist attraction).
This promises to be an ongoing, long-lasting issue – and I, for one, will be watching with interest. There will be many hoops to jump through and money to be found in order for this project to go forward. If it is successful, Sausalito will take on a new appearance and will be reinvented; which leads me to wonder what will happen to the old Sausalito – the one with artist colonies, quirky shops, and floating homes. I guess time will tell.
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