The East Bay Regional Park District Board unanimously approved a Letter of Intent Tuesday evening to acquire the 80-acre Point Molate property in Richmond for $40 million.
The three-party agreement between the park district, the city of Richmond and the Guidiville Rancheria of California paves the way for the transfer of the bay front land to the park district by Jan. 15, 2025 at the latest, according to an EBRPD press release.
“Today we are one step closer to bringing Point Molate into the Park District’s impressive portfolio,” EBRPD General Manager Sabrina Landreth said in the statement.
The acquisition will preserve the historic property as open space and provide public access along the San Francisco Bay shoreline. It aligns with long-standing plans for a regional park at Point Molate, as outlined in the park district’s 2013 Master Plan.
State Sen. Nancy Skinner secured $36 million in the 2022-23 California budget for the acquisition and clean-up of Point Molate.
“This is truly a great day for the East Bay and all of California,” Skinner said in a statement. “Securing Point Molate within the East Bay Regional Park District is not only an incredible environmental victory, it will also reawaken the area’s significant cultural history.”
Point Molate, which in total covers 290 acres of land, has a rich history dating back to ancient Native American settlements. It includes the historic Winehaven complex, once dubbed the world’s largest winery.
“”
“Securing Point Molate within the East Bay Regional Park District is not only an incredible environmental victory, it will also reawaken the area’s significant cultural history.”
— State Sen. Nancy Skinner
The site has been the subject of various development proposals since the Navy relinquished control in 1995, including a casino project in 2004 and a housing development in 2022. Previous deals fell through, leading to legal complications that are still being resolved.
Guidiville Tribal Chairman Donald Duncan emphasized the tribe’s commitment to conservation, stating, “The Tribe and the Park District share a common vision of establishing a world-class park at Point Molate.”
The deal comes after years of debate over the property’s future. Richmond City Council approved the Letter of Intent in a special meeting on July 12.
The park district plans to extend the San Francisco Bay Trail along the Point Molate shoreline, further enhancing public access to the area.
Great news and great place to have it told. Other places would spin it negatively with sour grapes from vested interests in previous failed proposals. Point Molate needs to be a park.
There is no place like Point Molate. The last undeveloped headland on San Fransisco Bay with beach access from the city owned beach park.
Who did they purchase the property from? The city or the Tribe? Did the city get proceeds?
This is a big win for Richmond residents and the Bay Area at large!