Securing a second grant of nearly half a million dollars from the California Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW), the City of Antioch now has the funding in place to complete the Antioch Marina Boat Launch Facility based on its original plans rather than a
scaled-back version that was being constructed due to a lack of funding, according to Phil Harrington, director of Capital Improvements.

“While the original plans included four launch lanes, restrooms, a bait shop, fish-cleaning facilities and a lighted walkway, due to a shortfall of grant funding the new launch would have been limited to just three lanes with no public restrooms for those using the launch,” said Harrington. “So the additional grant funding will allow the City to provide the type of quality amenities that users of the launch deserve and expect.”

The DBW, a state-run agency whose stated mission is to provide safe and convenient public access to California’s waterways, originally committed $3.8 million to the project, which allowed the City to begin construction on the facility as it continued to seek additional funding to complete the project based on the original plans.

“Until the second and final phase is completed, which is expected to be in mid-spring, there will be no launch fee for day use so that people can see for themselves what a far superior facility the new launch is,” said Harrington.  “Recreation is a big part of what attracts people to Antioch, and this highly-anticipated boat launch will not disappoint.”

Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) & Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) have launched Round 2 of public outreach for Plan Bay Area, a blueprint-in-the-making for expanding transportation and housing in a sustainable way over the next 25 years.

Planners have prepared several scenarios for what the Bay Area could look like in 2040, and are seeking the public’s help in selecting desired features among the alternative choices, and in prioritizing transportation investments.

At the meetings, participants will rotate among a series of stations where they will have a chance to view informational videos, vote on potential transportation investments, select preferred strategies for reducing driving and greenhouse gas emissions, and use an Urban Vision tool that shows visually how various future development scenarios might appear in their respective counties.

For more information: www.onebayarea.org/spotlight_12-11.htm

When & Where:
• San Francisco County: Thursday, January 5, 2012, 5:45 p.m. at UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center, William J. Rutter Center, 1675 Owens Street, San Francisco
• Sonoma County: Monday, January 9, 2012, 5:45 p.m. at Finley Community Center,
2060 West College Avenue, Santa Rosa
• San Mateo County: Tuesday, January 10, 2012, 5:15 p.m. at The Hiller Aviation Museum,
601 Skyway Road, San Carlos
• Alameda County: Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 5:45 p.m. at City of Dublin Civic Center,
100 Civic Plaza, Dublin
• Marin County: Tuesday, January 17, 2012, 5:45 p.m. at Marin Center, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael
• Santa Clara County: Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 5:15 p.m. at Santa Clara County Government Center, 70 West Hedding Street, San Jose
• Napa County: Thursday, January 19, 2012, 5:45 p.m. at Napa Elks Lodge,
2840 Soscol Avenue, Napa
• Contra Costa County: Monday, January 23, 2012, at 5:45 p.m. at Richmond Convention Center, 403 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond
• Solano County: Wednesday, January 25, 2012, 5:45 p.m. at Solano County Events Center,
601 Texas Street, Fairfield