Eureka Reporter - 02/14/2006
Local Activist Groups Present 'Balloon Track' Forum on Wednesday
Healthy Humboldt Coalition, Local Solutions and Democracy Unlimited
will present an informational and organizing forum Wednesday from
6:30-8:30 p.m. at Eureka’s Wharfinger Building.
The event is in partial response to Security National’s pending
purchase of Union Pacific Railroad Co.’s Eureka Rail Yard, or “Balloon
Track,” for which SN has been given authorization from the City
Council to submit an application to rezone the parcel and adjacent land — a
total of approximately 38.55 acres — to accommodate planned
retail, including Home Depot, offices, light industry and residences.
The event is also meant to generate a dialogue in the broader community
about the parcel, organizers say.
The forum will feature Humboldt County Supervisor Bonnie Neely,
who will discuss the parcel’s history.
She will also talk about 1999’s Measure J.
Eureka voters rejected Measure J in a 61 to 39 percent vote in a special
election.
The measure would have changed the city’s General Plan, rezoning
the property from “public” to “commercial.” That
would have enabled Wal-Mart to build there.
Other scheduled speakers include Michelle Smith of Humboldt Baykeeper,
who will talk about toxins on the Balloon Track’s soil.
Mark Lovelace of Healthy Humboldt will address big box development
and its potential impact on local economies. David Cobb of Democracy
Unlimited will discuss organizing options to achieve what he considers
the parcel’s “total
cleanup” and “smart planning.”
For more information, phone Democracy Unlimited at (707) 269-0984.
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