REP. MIKE THOMPSON HOSTS SUMMIT ON ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION OF MARE ISLAND
June 11, 2013
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) yesterday hosted a summit on economic revitalization of Mare Island. The meeting took place on Mare Island. Thompson was joined by representatives from the U.S. Navy, the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment, the City of Vallejo and local business and elected leaders. The summit focused on the clean up, redevelopment, long-term economic opportunities available on Mare Island.
“Mare Island has the potential to become a center of economic activity in the Bay Area,” said Thompson. “The first step in that process is bringing all the stakeholders to the table and start developing a plan. That's what this meeting was about. We have a long way to go and a lot more work to do, but this was a very productive meeting and all parties are committed to revitalizing Mare Island.”
A readout of Thompson's Mare Island Summit is below.
On June 10th, 2013, Congressman Mike Thompson organized and led a diverse group of agencies and elected officials in a review of the status of the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California. Represented at the meeting were State Senator Lois Wolk and State Assembly Member Susan Bonilla, and Solano County Supervisor Erin Hannigan. Vallejo Mayor Osby Davis and staff participated as the Local Redevelopment Authority for Mare Island. Federal representatives, in addition to Congressman Thompson, were Navy officials from Washington D.C. and San Diego, and the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment in Sacramento.
The day began with introductions and an overview, including a brief history of the closure of the Mare Island Naval Ship Yard under the Base Realignment and Closure process, beginning in 1993. The group then toured Mare Island, visiting a variety of public and private sector locations on the island where redevelopment has been evolving. The range of reuse spans recreational, educational, residential, green technology business, light and heavy industrial, historic preservation and government. The tour concluded at the northern end of Mare Island where dilapidated buildings mar the landscape and present the most significant obstacle to a full revitalization of Mare Island. This area is the gateway to the rest of the island, as well as a gateway to the City of Vallejo.
During the meetings the Navy reviewed the progress of the environmental cleanup occurring with the oversight of State and Federal regulatory organizations. While progress has been slow at times, the commitment to complete the cleanup is strong and the end is in sight. Funding commitments are strong.
The meeting's main focus was to examine new opportunities for economic redevelopment. The Navy's role is to complete environmental cleanup as soon as possible and transfer property to the City of Vallejo. The Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment supports redevelopment through planning grants and coordinates federal agency resources to assist in community economic recovery. Ideas emerged as to how to seek additional funding sources and develop marketing strategies to attract developers to north Mare Island.
Thompson committed to continue working with all stakeholders on the cleanup and economic revitalization of Mare Island.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
“Mare Island has the potential to become a center of economic activity in the Bay Area,” said Thompson. “The first step in that process is bringing all the stakeholders to the table and start developing a plan. That's what this meeting was about. We have a long way to go and a lot more work to do, but this was a very productive meeting and all parties are committed to revitalizing Mare Island.”
A readout of Thompson's Mare Island Summit is below.
On June 10th, 2013, Congressman Mike Thompson organized and led a diverse group of agencies and elected officials in a review of the status of the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California. Represented at the meeting were State Senator Lois Wolk and State Assembly Member Susan Bonilla, and Solano County Supervisor Erin Hannigan. Vallejo Mayor Osby Davis and staff participated as the Local Redevelopment Authority for Mare Island. Federal representatives, in addition to Congressman Thompson, were Navy officials from Washington D.C. and San Diego, and the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment in Sacramento.
The day began with introductions and an overview, including a brief history of the closure of the Mare Island Naval Ship Yard under the Base Realignment and Closure process, beginning in 1993. The group then toured Mare Island, visiting a variety of public and private sector locations on the island where redevelopment has been evolving. The range of reuse spans recreational, educational, residential, green technology business, light and heavy industrial, historic preservation and government. The tour concluded at the northern end of Mare Island where dilapidated buildings mar the landscape and present the most significant obstacle to a full revitalization of Mare Island. This area is the gateway to the rest of the island, as well as a gateway to the City of Vallejo.
During the meetings the Navy reviewed the progress of the environmental cleanup occurring with the oversight of State and Federal regulatory organizations. While progress has been slow at times, the commitment to complete the cleanup is strong and the end is in sight. Funding commitments are strong.
The meeting's main focus was to examine new opportunities for economic redevelopment. The Navy's role is to complete environmental cleanup as soon as possible and transfer property to the City of Vallejo. The Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment supports redevelopment through planning grants and coordinates federal agency resources to assist in community economic recovery. Ideas emerged as to how to seek additional funding sources and develop marketing strategies to attract developers to north Mare Island.
Thompson committed to continue working with all stakeholders on the cleanup and economic revitalization of Mare Island.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
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Issues:Jobs & Economy