Thursday, July 27, 2017

Plunge West Project fundraiser a success

POINT RICHMOND - The July 15 fund-raiser for the Plunge West Project was a great success, organizer Maryn Hurlbut reports.

"Our cash gate was better than $1400. + advance sales that amount to over an additional $2000," Hurlbut said.  "This, plus our existing funds allow us to begin the construction phase of the Plunge West Project."

Hurlbut said etched pavers can still be purchased online or by sending a request directly to her at this email address: Maryn Hurlbut.

A story with more details about the Plunge West Project that was published prior to the event can be found here: Take The Plunge




Friday, July 14, 2017

Paramount TV comes to Point Richmond

Special to The Point
Story and photos by Laura Paull

Point Richmond residents out and about early Sunday July 9 found the town center and Ferry Point tunnel blocked off by orange cones, police cars, and lots of strangers standing around.
The reason? 
Paramount Television was filming scenes for the second season of Thirteen Reasons Why, a Netflix dramatic series  popular with the young set. It is based on the 2007 novel Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher and adapted by Brian Yorkey for Netflix.
Although email and other communications from the production company had led some to locals to imagine they'd see a motorcycle chase scene through the Ferry tunnel, the action mostly entailed two young actors on an old green Vespa putt-putting through the tunnel at the usual speed. 
As is the way of Hollywood filming, it took hours of preparation just to get those few shots. Many curious Point Richmond folks stopped and watched for a while, then moved on.
When the second season begins in March 2018  Point residents will have to wait to find out when the ferry tunnel shot will appear.



Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Richmond Planning Director outlines housing & other projects for PRBA

   POINT RICHMOND - The City of Richmond's Planning Director presented an overview of housing, the Richmond General Plan and a variety of other projects in Point Richmond and the surrounding environs when he spoke to the Point Richmond Business Association June 29.
     Richard Mitchell's presentation was given at the PRBA's monthly luncheon, held at the Up and Under Restaurant. (A sound recording of his full remarks can be found at the end of this story.)

Mitchell
     Mitchell gave updates on the several projects either under construction, approved but not yet building and others still in the application/approval process.
     The biggest of those - 316-unit Terminal One - is in the process of doing some environmental remediation, he said.
    "Hopefully by this time next year they will be starting to move the dirt relative to the development itself," Mitchell said.
     Mitchell also said that that new Richmond-to-San Francisco ferry - scheduled to begin service in early 2018 - will have a big impact.
     "The ferry is a game changer if we handle it right," he said.
     Handling it right means ensuring there is adequate ridership for the ferry to continue.


     In response to a question about the traffic expected to be generated by all the new housing , Mitchell said initially there will be issues to be dealt with.
     But he added that he believes the way people use automobiles is changing. He cited the impact of services like Uber and Lyft, among other considerations.
     And he said not to rely too heavily on traffic studies.
     "Traffic counts don't ever come up to the perceptions we have of traffic impacts," he said.

     Mitchell's full comments - including the questions and answers - can be heard by clicking on the video link below.


(Sound recording by Sylvia S. Fox)