Fate of Golden Gate Fields Still Uncertain
By Richard Brenneman
Thursday July 30, 2009
The fate of Golden Gate Fields, the Bay Area's last remaining horseracing venue, remains uncertain as parent Magna Entertainment continues to undergo bankruptcy proceedings in the United States and Canada.
In a filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware, creditors of the ailing company claim it illegally siphoned off $125 million in assets to other companies controlled by Magna Entertainment chief executive Frank Stronach.
Representatives of Stronach's company have denied the allegations, according to Frank ...
Rumor’s of Eastshore Park Closure Untrue
By Richard Brenneman
Thursday July 30, 2009
Despite reports from the state Department of Parks and Recreation, Eastshore State Park isn't about to close, reports Larry Tong, interagency planning manager for the park district.
“Over my dead body,” said Robert Cheasty, who chairs Citizens for Eastshore State Park, the advocacy group that has helped raise funds for the shoreline park used by countless Bay Area residents and visitors.
Tong said he has asked the state agency to correct the erroneous reports, which were broadcast Tuesday night on some regional ...
Of Birds and Humans- Aquatic Park
Would fixing the flooding in West Berkeley hurt the fish in Aquatic Park?
By Eric Klein
July 29, 2009
Berkeley officials are studying a plan to improve circulation in the stagnant lagoons of Aquatic Park. They say the stale water kills fish, increases algae growth, and gives the park a distinctive odor that you can enjoy when you're speeding past on I-80. But environmentalists fear the plan will increase storm water runoff, killing fish and degrading the environment in one of the Bay Area's most important waterbird habitats.
Aquatic Park is Berkeley's largest ...
Readers’ Forum: Casino benefit still doesn’t add up for Richmond
By Gayle McLaughlin
Guest commentary
Thursday July 25, 2009
ON MAY 14, 2005, the Times published an article I wrote titled: Casino at Point Molate is a losing bet for Richmond. In this article, I took issue with the idea that a casino would sustain our local economy, our environment and our social well-being here in Richmond. Fast forward four years later and here we are with the draft environmental impact documents completed and released to the public for comment.
In my article in 2005, I cited the exhaustive study "Casinos, Crime and Community Costs" conducted ...
Toll Plaza Delays Called Main Richmond Casino Impact
By Richard Brenneman
Thursday July 23, 2009
The $1.5 billion gambling, hotel, entertainment and housing resort planned for Richmond's Point Molate would only create three significant impacts that couldn't be readily remedied, concludes the project's draft environmental impact report (EIR).
For an EIR, the critical findings for developers and regulators are those which reveal significant and unavoidable adverse impacts resulting from construction. The Point Molate draft EIR finds relatively few in any of the casino-based alternatives. They would arise from:
• ...
Environmental Review Details Richmond Casino Alternatives
By Richard Brenneman
Thursday July 16, 2009
The long-delayed environmental impact report on the proposed Point Molate $1.5 billion casino resort complex is finally finished, four years after the first public meeting to gather public comment.
This is the first of three articles on the Richmond shoreline project. This article focuses on the project itself, looking at the range of alternatives presented in the environmental impact report. Subsequent articles in the coming weeks will look at environmental impacts and community–and official–reactions to the ...
CESP helps the City of Albany and the Watershed Project clean up the Albany Shoreline
Report from the Watershed Project: We had a wonderful Earth Day Clean Up and Celebration on Sunday April 19 at the Albany shoreline. A total of 135 participants, 82 adults and 53 kids picked up 415 pounds of trash and 62 pounds of recycling! Those are great numbers, considering that we asked participants to focus on plastic debris. Light weight plastic trash, including small bits and pieces, is the most prevalent form of debris and also the most harmful in the environment.
Albany/Berkeley Girl Scout Troop 1815 and Cub Scout Troop 505 joined the event for their Earth Day ...
Albany council adopts recommendations for waterfront
November 9, 2007 - By Shelly Meron STAFF WRITER
Albany city officials this week accepted a consultant's recommendation to focus their waterfront-planning process on civic engagement and education, saying they want to be prepared if the landowner comes forward with its own proposal.
"It's always been my contention that whatever we do with the waterfront should be Albany-driven, not developer-driven," Mayor Robert Lieber said. "We need to be ready with our own plan."
Following a recommendation from the city's waterfront committee, the City Council voted 4-1, with ...
Rediscovering the shoreline
October 30, 2007 - Chris Treadway
A LOT OF GROUPS and individuals that put year-round effort into studying, cleaning and restoring waterways and Bay shoreline in West County are inviting the community to spend an entertaining and informative afternoon and see what it's all about.
The third Richmond Shoreline Festival, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, will offer activities for all ages, interpretive hikes and a barbecue at picturesque Point Pinole Regional Shoreline in Richmond.
The day will include informational displays, conversations with ...
Albany’s Golden Gate Fields Developer Runs Low on Cash
October 19, 2007 - By Richard Brenneman
What’s the future of Golden Gate Fields now that its corporate owner is shedding real estate to cover losses on its ailing horse racing business?
The track’s principal owner has told investors that something major is afoot, despite last year’s withdrawal of a proposal for an upscale shopping center and housing complex on part of the site.
“Well, Golden Gate is a sizable piece of land, and ... for what it returns, the value of the real estate—it’s just not in line,” said Frank Stronach, the Canadian auto parks ...