Richmond
News from Richmond, California
Urban Habitat and the Richmond Equitable Development Initiative collect and reproduce news articles related to Richmond California on a variety of topics. Posting of these stories does not necessarily indicate support or agreement, but relevance to the work of REDI and the collaborative partners and allies.
Organizations and individuals interested in Richmond and REDI’s work should regularly check this page for important news and are welcome to syndicate the content.
Teens show their urban planning prowess
DEVELOPERS, PLANNERS, city officials and community members have tried for years to devise a cohesive and appealing plan for the area along San Pablo Avenue at the Del Norte BART station in El Cerrito. Now, 10 students from Kennedy High School in Richmond have come up with their own ideas for the area as the culmination of their summer internship in a program sponsored by the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee.
Chevron refinery project approved - concerns raised about health risks
Chevron's contentious plan to replace decades-old equipment at its Richmond refinery was approved early Thursday by city leaders and denounced later that day by opponents.
A divided Richmond City Council approved Chevron's bid to replace its power plant, hydrogen plant and reformer so it can refine a wider range of crude with higher sulfur content, and produce 6 percent more California-grade gasoline. In addition, the council approved a separate agreement in which the oil company will give the city $61.6 million for more police officers, job training and other programs.
Opponents shouted "Shame on you!" and "Sell-out!" from the audience.
Try community input
WE ARE PLEASED that Chevron is making a major financial contribution to the Richmond community where it operates the Bay Area's largest refinery. But the way the company struck it's $61.6 million community benefits deal smells — and the stink is coming from both sides of the table.
Opponents sue Richmond, Chevron
The lawsuit comes six weeks after a sharply divided City Council approved the contentious project, along with a $61 million community benefits agreement for Chevron to give funds for public safety, job training, health care and local groups. Officials drew more public criticism July 29 after council members Nat Bates, Ludmyrna Lopez, John Marquez, Harpreet Sandhu and Maria Viramontes appointed Bates, Lopez and Sandhu — with Marquez as an alternate — to a committee that would disperse $10 million from Chevron to local groups.
Smoke Stacks Spew Green in Richmond
Newspaper reporters who cover the city of Richmond like to say it’s a great town to write about because of the “Three Cs,” which refers to crime, corruption and Chevron.
The Richmond City Council has long been an easy date for any organization or business willing to plow money back into re-election campaigns.
Try community input
WE ARE PLEASED that Chevron is making a major financial contribution to the Richmond community where it operates the Bay Area's largest refinery. But the way the company struck it's $61.6 million community benefits deal smells — and the stink is coming from both sides of the table.
El Cerrito to purchase furniture store site
After 72 years on San Pablo Avenue, the owner of Tradeway Furniture said the store will be closing its doors in about a year, after agreeing to sell its buildings to the City of El Cerrito.
"It's an emotional thing," said owner Joseph Conwill. "We'll certainly miss all of our friends and customers. But the time has come."
The sale of 10860 and 10848 San Pablo Ave. — at $4.05 million — was approved by the City Council earlier this week. The city used money from its low-moderate income housing fund for the purchase, and is obligated to use the property for low and moderate income housing. The details of the project have not been nailed down.
Health Officials Say Campus Bay Safe for Current Use, Not Homes
While state and county health officials said a chemically contaminated site in southeast Richmond poses no dangers to their current users, concerns remain about past users and those to come.
They also acknowledge that their findings don’t include the possible interactions between the more than 100 toxic metals and chemicals found at the site.
Ethel Dotson, who initiated the Community Advisory Group [CAG] now advising the state about cleanups at Campus Bay and UC Berkeley’s Richmond Field Station, died Nov. 1 in the firm conviction her cancer was caused by exposure during her childhood.
