The Redwood City Council recently took action to address multiple city priorities, including sheltering homeless residents, improving circulation and public safety, and preserving approximately 10 acres of city-owned waterfront property for future community uses.
Thus, among the measures that the City Council Redwood City Council unanimously approved unanimously noted the exchange of property located at 1469 Maple Street with the County of San Mateo for county property located at 1580 Maple Street.
For Redwood City, the interchange advances the construction of the Blomquist Street extension, which extends from Maple Street to Bair Island Road in the Inner Harbor area of the city.
The county also plans to relocate an aging and obsolete homeless shelter to build the county's first Homeless Navigation Center, which will have 240 individual sleeping units and provide temporary housing facilities and services on their way to moving into permanent housing.
"This property exchange advances City Council priorities going back more than a decade, including housing, transportation, recreation and economic vitality," said Diane Howard, mayor of Redwood City.
"I often hear from residents concerned about homelessness and encampments, and I'm proud that Redwood City is part of the solution," he added.
The Blomquist Extension will provide multiple benefits for residents, visitors and employees, including improved access for emergency responders by providing a second point of entry and exit to the neighborhood, and faster public safety response times in the northern portion of the city limits.
Also improved community access to and from the Inner Harbor and Pacific Shores area, including the Bay Trail, Pacific Shores jobs, visits to a future Bayfront Park, and access to waterfront recreational activities such as paddling at the Bair Island Aquatic Center, as well as improved non-vehicular access along the Bay Trail.
"This negotiation was one of the most complex of my career, and there were more than one occasion when we were frustrated," noted Melissa Stevenson Diaz, Redwood City City Manager. "With all of us coming together, I believe the impact on the community will be powerful, positive and lasting."
Of note, the city would still own approximately 10 acres of property adjacent to the water after the exchange. Meanwhile, through robust community engagement beginning in spring 2022, the city will explore recreation, open space, water access and trails in the area.
You may be interested in: San Mateo County takes major step to address homelessness
