Richmond Shoreline Alliance leads tours of former Zeneca toxic site
The Richmond Shoreline Alliance is offering two “toxic tours” of the former Zeneca industrial site this weekend. The one-hour walking tour gives an overview of how chemical dumping damaged the environment and details how volunteers are fighting for a full cleanup. The 86-acre site on Richmond’s southeast shoreline was used for more than 100 years by corporations that manufactured hundreds of products, leaving dangerously high levels of toxic and cancer-causing chemicals as well as heavy metals in the soil and groundwater. Plans to build 4,000 homes on the property are on hold.
Zeneca site toxic tours, Sat., June 27, and Sun., June 28, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1415 South 47th St. Spots are still available. RSVP here.
Construction begins on new mental health rehabilitation center
Contra Costa County officials have broken ground on a new 45-bed mental health rehabilitation center in Martinez that will serve residents countywide, including from Richmond. The Contra Costa Recovery Center will provide longer-term treatment and stabilization services in a secure residential setting for adults recovering from severe psychiatric conditions, with client care suites, sleeping rooms, medical and wellness spaces and an outdoor recreation area. An $18 million state grant and a 10% county matching grant are funding the $20 million facility, which is expected to open in June 2027.
San Pablo closes $4.4 million budget gap, avoids layoffs
San Pablo has approved a balanced two-year budget that wipes out a projected $4.4 million deficit, according to a press release. The $148 million budget covering fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28 closes the gap through $2 million in one-time operating reserves and more than $2 million in spending reductions. No layoffs are planned and core services — including police, streets, parks, public works and senior programs — remain unchanged.
The city faces ongoing revenue headwinds as Casino San Pablo tax income has plateaued and sales tax revenue is set to decrease beginning Oct. 1, 2027. To offset those losses, the city says it has secured new cannabis revenues, consolidated IT expenses and reduced nonessential contracts.
