Let us have our future

Within staff’s report, are communications in support of heavy industry land use on Vallejo’s southern waterfront. With all due respect to those submitting these communications, I conclude that their rationale is completely invalid, mainly by being so out of date. What is this, 1987, 1977, 1907? In 2017, in Vallejo, in the Bay Area, the need is for our increasing populations, to have access to our waterfronts. Access is the highest use of this “Natural Resource.” Modern ports were needed, in the past. Now there is excess port capacity. Every opportunity to give our residents access to their waterfronts is the highest priority.
The San Francisco Bay Seaport Plan is many years old. So in 2017, in Vallejo, to quote from it and to use its wording as rational for heavy industry, in an area of Vallejo, whose surrounding area has dramatically change, is incorrect. The Bay Plan is changed and updated all the time to accommodate what the local citizens want.
This is Economics and Land Use 101. Economic principle says use an investment tool to its greatest opportunity. Heavy industry on our Southern Waterfront is not its greatest money-making opportunity. We have already had a development proposal on the VMT Site, albeit thwarted by the economic downturn of 2008. We are the hottest real estate market in America. Gee, think of the money to be made for Vallejo with, universities, office/research parks, multifamily units, and businesses all along our Southern Waterfront. People and businesses want to see, be near, walk along and work along our water. That is money, folks. It is a dirty rotten shame to have waterfront city property (as in the Kiewit Property) sit idle off and on for years.
Experts (folks who have the latest information as to highest land use) and a bunch of residents have for over two years and without a vested interest looked at the land uses of our Southern Waterfront. They have requested and proposed that it have a use of mixed-sses/light industry. Gee don’t believe us? Then talk with leaders, experts and citizens from our neighboring waterfront towns. Ask what they would do with this waterfront land and in one instance, historic buildings? If necessary delay this vote, while you talk with them. This is 2040 important.
Current/applied for uses are “grandfathered,” but this is a rewrite for our future. When proposals with other uses come along for our Southern Waterfront, our General Plan should accommodate them. Your leadership is for the greater good, not just for today, for tomorrow.
Please let our General Plan say for our Southern Waterfront, not heavy industry but a mixed/light industry use. In 2017 in Vallejo land use can be utilized for access and for income. We can do this. Let us have our future.

Jimmy Genn,
Vallejo

A commemoration of history

I am writing in disagreement to the letter recently posted about the Confederate flag stained glass at the Union Hotel. What the writer is essentially asking is to abolish history.
While the flag has become, by some, a symbol of hatred, I disagree. It is a symbol of many who fought and died for their beliefs. Granted there are radical groups that use this symbol to promote their agenda, but it is not the flag that is evil. What if these groups used the Union flag as their symbol? Would we be asking to remove that from our country’s history? What then would we fly to honor the USA?
There are many good families whose descendants fought and died for their beliefs, from both the Confederate and Union sides. History is history. We cannot eliminate what happened, but we can find tolerance and try to distance ourselves from continuing to promote hate. Would you like it if you were told you could not fly your family crest at your home? I think not.
I was walking down First Street yesterday and was pleased to see the stained glass window at the Union Hotel visible to all who pass by. Thanks to the owners for continuing to display a piece of art that depicts a time in history of the development of this great country.
I believe we all have the right to express our beliefs and that should not be taken away by anyone. This stained glass is an example of that.

John Pruett,
Benicia

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