Published: July 29, 2010

Labor Groups Throughout San Francisco Bay Area Show Support For Redwood City Saltworks Restoration And Redevelopment Project

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Labor organizations representing hundreds of thousands of workers in the Bay Area and around the state today announced full support for Redwood City's efforts to conduct an environmental review of plans to build a new, transit-oriented community on the Saltworks site.

Twelve labor associations, so far, have called for completion of the environmental review of the Saltworks 50/50 Balanced Plan under the California Environmental Quality Act, which Redwood City officials have begun.

The restoration and redevelopment plan for the Saltworks would provide more than 33,000 jobs over its build-out period, generating billions of dollars in economic activity for Redwood City and the surrounding area. That would provide a long-term employment base for thousands of skilled men and women who work, live and raise their families in the Bay Area. It also would serve as a blueprint for the continuation of smart-growth policies around the Bay to accommodate a growing population.

"We don't know how long this recession will last; this plan could provide thousands of jobs for workers at a time of record high unemployment," said Bill Nack, business manager of the San Mateo Building Trades Council. "Labor would be proud to work on this project and supports the review process that could make it possible."

The labor organizations that have voted to support the environmental review of the Saltworks project include:

State Building Trades and Construction Trades Council of California
San Mateo County Building Trades
San Mateo County Central Labor Council
California State Council of Laborers
California Conference of Carpenters
Western Region, Operating Engineers
Alameda County Building Trades
San Francisco Building Trades
South Bay Central Labor Council
Contra Costa County Building Trades
Santa Clara/San Benito Building Trades
Napa-Solano Building Trades

The proposed restoration and redevelopment project at the Redwood City Saltworks would create a new, transit-oriented community of 12,000 housing units, along with commercial and retail space, on half the 1,436-acre site. A mix of housing in the plan ensures that the Saltworks community will be a diverse one and offer residents a chance to live in the community where they work. The other 50 percent of the site will be dedicated to open space, including restored wetlands, many miles of nature trails, and badly needed recreational and park facilities. That will be paid for by the development, not taxpayers.

The development will be a national model for smart growth, with its focus on transit, pedestrian-friendly retail and entertainment centers, and sustainable building.

Following the lead of San Mateo County labor groups, Bay Area labor organizations approved resolutions calling for local and state governments to support full environmental review of the Saltworks plan. The organizations are uniting to combat misinformation spread by project opponents at the Oakland-based group Save the Bay, which seeks to cut off review of the environmental effects of the proposed project.

"It is disingenuous for an environmental organization to oppose an independent and open examination of a development project's potential environmental costs and benefits," said Andreas Cluver, the Alameda County Building Trades secretary-treasurer. "Given the huge potential benefits this project would provide, the citizens of the region deserve to have the results of a full review placed before them so there can be decisions based on facts rather than politics and emotions."