The marina and Shipyard areas are getting boutique shops and upscale amenities, but many longtime Richmond residents say they never go there. Who is this development really for?
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Add your commentMy grandmother worked at the Kaiser Shipyard during WW2. She'd be heartbroken and also probably furious to see what they're doing with that land now. Boutique cheese shops or whatever on the same ground where Black women helped build warships. There's something deeply wrong with that picture.
Born and raised in Richmond, North & Barrett Ave area. I can count on one hand how many times I've been to the marina in the last five years. It's beautiful I guess, but it might as well be a different city. The prices, the vibe, the whole aesthetic — it's not for us. Never was.
lmao my uncle tried to take his fishing gear down to the marina area last summer and felt so out of place he just left. been fishing that water his whole life. now he drives to San Pablo reservoir instead. that tells you everything.
I challenge anyone who says this development helps locals to name three Richmond residents — not employees, not city council — who regularly use those boutique amenities. Three. I'll wait.
I moved here from Oakland two years ago specifically because Richmond felt more authentic and affordable. Now I'm watching the same playbook get run here and it's genuinely depressing. I didn't escape anything, I just delayed it.
Honestly? Both things can be true. The development is probably built with outsiders as the primary customer. AND it could still create jobs and tax revenue that helps locals. Forcing it into a binary good/bad debate is how we end up with either zero development or completely unaccountable development. Richmond deserves better than that false choice.
the problem isnt the development itself its that there was zero genuine community input. they did some meetings but everyone who lives near the iron triangle or in the flats knew those meetings were basically decorative. decisions were already made.
ok can we stop pretending this is unique to Richmond lol. Every single waterfront in the Bay Area does this. Emeryville, Oakland Jack London, San Francisco. They gentrify the water first because rich people like views. Richmond is just next in line.
Lived in Point Richmond my whole life and honestly the waterfront upgrades have been nice for my neighborhood specifically. But I also know that Point Richmond is not the rest of Richmond. We're almost a separate world out here and I think people forget that geographically and economically. What benefits my block does not automatically trickle east.
Actually the Craneway Pavilion has hosted community events for years, the YMCA is out there, the trail is free and open to everyone. People act like a nice waterfront automatically equals exclusion. Can we not have ONE decent public space without it being a conspiracy?
Hard disagree with most of this thread. Tax revenue from waterfront development literally funds city services that everyone uses. You want better roads, parks, and schools in central Richmond? This is part of how you pay for it. Hating development because it looks fancy is cutting off your nose to spite your face.
The Richmond Marina is NOT the largest marina on the West Coast, I have no idea where you got that. It's not even close. Please stop spreading that around like it's a talking point.
Fun fact: the Richmond Marina is actually the largest marina on the entire West Coast. So maybe attracting some outside visitors and dollars isn't the worst thing? Just saying there's regional value here beyond whether a local wants to grab a $19 cocktail.
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