Tell Newark: Protect Newark Baylands, Say No to Mowry Village Project
Newark City Council and Staff
One of the most important efforts to protect the future of San Francisco Bay is underway in Newark now, as conservation and climate resilience organizations advocate for the permanent protection of Newark’s baylands. At the center of the “Save Newark Wetlands” effort is a site called Newark Area 4 - over 500 acres of wetlands and uplands that scientists say are critical to preserve to support the long-term resilience of San Francisco Bay to climate change, and that have long been identified as a priority addition to the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
However Newark Area 4 is under extreme development threat. For years we’ve fought a proposal to build as many as 469 housing units on Area 4 from one group of developers. Now, Area 4 is facing a new threat: a second development proposal, that would add more than 200 additional housing units to the site, re-zoning land intended to be a future park and developing it instead.
While this latest development proposal would redevelop a current auto scrap yard, which on its face may sound like a good idea, the “Pick-n-Pull” site is on the baylands, surrounded on three sides by wetlands and open space, and has been planned – and zoned - for future parks. By developing this site, the City of Newark is giving away future parkland, and also putting more residents in a flood zone at risk of sea level rise. Instead, the City of Newark should prioritize supporting the clean-up and restoration of the Pick-n-Pull site for future park space as planned, as part of the overall climate resilience and conservation vision for Newark Area 4, and prioritize climate-smart development within the core of the city.
Take Action and Write the Newark City Council: Say No to the Proposed "Mowry Village" Development! Instead, Preserve and Restore Newark’s Baylands to Support the Climate Resilience of San Francisco Bay and the Newark Community.
Image: The “Pick-n-Pull” auto scrap yard in Newark’s baylands, proposed for development into over 200 houses. The site is surrounded on three sides by wetlands, creeks and open space, and is within Newark Area 4, a regional conservation priority for SF Bay restoration and climate resilience. The area is currently zoned for future park space. (Photo credit: Derell Licht)
Sponsored by
To:
Newark City Council and Staff
From:
[Your Name]
Dear Mr. Interiano, Mayor Hannon and Newark City Councilmembers,
I am writing to express my opposition with the proposed “Mowry Village” development proposed for the Pick-n-Pull site in Newark Area 4. As we collaborate as a region to restore the health of San Francisco Bay, and build a climate resilient Bay Area - Newark Area 4 is a uniquely important opportunity to protect and restore San Francisco Bay wetlands, provide space for wetlands to move inland with sea level rise, ensure a valuable flood buffer to protect Newark and adjacent communities from flooding, while also providing opportunities for local residents to connect with nature.
The proposed “Mowry Village” development, surrounded on three sides by wetlands, creeks and open space, would squander the opportunity to realize these benefits – and would take away future, much-needed park space from Newark residents.
Additionally, this development would put more residents in the path of rising sea levels. A recent analysis for the Tri-City Local Hazard Mitigation Plan showed that Newark already has billions of dollars of property at risk from sea level rise. Development of Mowry Village would only add to this burden.
We don’t have to choose between building new housing, climate resilience and protecting nature. I encourage the City of Newark to focus its development within its existing urban footprint - preserving the Newark Baylands, including Area 4, as open space and park space.
Please oppose the “Mowry Village” development and prioritize supporting the clean-up and restoration of the Pick-n-Pull site for future park space as planned, as part of the overall climate resilience and conservation vision for Newark Area 4.
Thank you.