Redwood City Takes Action to House Vulnerable Residents and Enhance Waterfront Access
Council Approves Land Swap with County of San Mateo to Support Construction of the County’s First Homeless Navigation Center and Preserves 10 Acres of Future Recreation and Open Space
City Council Approves Land Swap with County
On September 27, 2021, the Redwood City City Council took action to advance multiple City priorities, including housing homeless residents, improving circulation and public safety, and preserving approximately 10 acres of City waterfront property for future community uses. The City Council unanimously (Espinosa-Garnica absent) approved a property exchange of City-owned property located at 1469 Maple Street with the County of San Mateo for County-owned property located at 1580 Maple Street.
This property exchange advances City Council priorities going back more than a decade, including housing, transportation, recreation and economic vitality.
“This negotiation was one of the most complex of my career, and there were more than a few times when we felt stymied,” said Melissa Stevenson Diaz, City Manager of Redwood City. “With all of us pulling together, I believe the community impact will be powerful, positive, and long-lasting.”
What Is Currently at 1580 Maple Street?
San Mateo County owns 1580 Maple, which is currently being used as a homeless shelter. The site also includes the former site of the County Women’s jail, which has since been demolished.
What is Currently at 1469 Maple Street?
The City owns 1469 Maple, which is not developed. Historically, the City has leased a portion of the site to local auto dealers to store cars.
Exchange Advances Construction of the Blomquist Street Extension
For Redwood City, this exchange advances construction of the Blomquist Street Extension — extending Blomquist Street from Maple Street to Bair Island Road — in the Inner Harbor area of the City.
The Blomquist Extension will provide multiple benefits for residents, visitors, and employees, including:
- Improved access for emergency responders by providing a second point of entry and exit to the neighborhood
- Faster public safety response times to the northern portion of the City limits
- Improved community access to and from the Inner Harbor area and Pacific Shores (for the Bay Trail, jobs at Pacific Shores, visits to a future Bayfront park, and access to recreational waterfront activities such as rowing at the Bair Island Aquatic Center)
- Improved non-vehicular access along the Bay Trail (Funding for Phase 2 of the Blomquist Extension (bridge over Redwood Creek) has yet to be secured. It is anticipated that construction of the vehicular bridge will be funded by fair share payments from future developments on Bair Island and the Inner Harbor area and other federal, state, and local funding.
Housing Vulnerable Residents
Supporting housing for all is a top goal for the City and we have an ambitious workplan. One of the most common concerns we hear from residents is about homelessness. We want to help people get into housing, and to avoid the community impacts associated with homeless encampments.
This exchange enables the County to relocate an aging and outdated homeless shelter and build the County’s first Homeless Navigation Center with 240 individual sleeping units, providing temporary living facilities and services to help people move into permanent housing. Providing individual units, rather than shared shelter space, is an important new strategy in helping unhoused individuals obtain housing and vital services. The County will also have units for services, along with a commercial kitchen, dining hall, community building, training center, outdoor respite and recreation space, storage, and parking area.
With the development of a new Navigation Center and transitional housing, it will bring the County very close to its goal of Functional Zero for homelessness in San Mateo County and Redwood City is proud to be a part of the solution. Working together, we are helping meet urgent housing needs in Redwood City.
Supporting Waterfront and Emergency Access
Transportation is also a top City Council priority. Development of the Blomquist Extension allows easier community access to the waterfront, and is a step toward better circulation east of 101.
Taken from the draft 2015 Inner Harbor Specific Plan, Blomquist Road is in blue, a bike boulevard in yellow on Maple Street next to the Police Department, and a lane shown in green providing access to the waterfront. The property exchange brings us one step closer to the vision shown here.
We have also heard from many residents who have been impacted by Whipple exit closures. The Blomquist extension helps ensure that those living or working east of 101 have additional ways of entering or leaving the area — a key concern in the event of an emergency.
10 acres of City Waterfront Property for Future Community Uses
Many in our community are interested in increased access to the City’s waterfront. This came up regularly during the drafting of the draft 2015 Inner Harbor Specific Plan.
With over 10 acres of City property available even after the land exchange, there are many options for supporting future community uses.
Through a robust community engagement beginning in spring 2022, the City will explore recreation, open space, water access and trail access in the area.
County May Ground Lease 1.5 Acre Parcel
As part of the property exchange, the County has a 5 year option period to potentially ground lease from the City the portion of the County Parcel not needed for the Blomquist Extension. This allows the City to construct the Blomquist Extension (solid yellow area in the figure above), and leaves 1.5 acres (outlined in red) that could be used for other uses including potential additional affordable housing or permanent supportive affordable housing.
The proposed deal terms for the County’s Lease Option include:
• City to own and provide County with a 5 year option to ground lease from City the 1.5 acre remnant/remainder parcel for affordable housing or permanent supportive affordable housing
• Up to a 65 year land lease
• Nominal rent of $100 for the term in light of the required affordable housing use
• Development timing requirements — The ground lease would terminate if the County does not move forward with a an affordable housing development project within 5 years after exercising the ground lease option
• The City can move forward with an affordable housing project on its own thereby terminating County’s option at any time prior to County’s exercise of its ground lease option
• County to pay all development fees for any future project on the remnant parcel
- The County will attend and present their proposed project conceptual to the City Council to receive feedback regarding, the aesthetic and architectural characteristics of their contemplated project.
Kudos to the City Council City Owned Property Ad Hoc Committee
The City Council City Owned Property Ad Hoc Committee (Mayor Howard, Vice Mayor Hale, Councilmember Reddy) were instrumental in shaping the approved exchange.
“I want to thank Vice Mayor Hale and Councilmember Reddy, as well as former Councilmembers Bain and Masur, for their time, dedication and perseverance while serving on this Ad Hoc Committee alongside me. We listened to the input of our residents and balanced many priorities. This is a win-win for Redwood City and the County,” said Mayor Howard.
Resources
Learn more about the Blomquist Extension Project here.
Read the City’s full press release here.
Read the County’s press release here.
