‘Friends of Hercules’ Supports Waterfront Now Initiative
— by Jeffrey Wisniewski — 17 June 2008 — Comments Off
The Friends of Hercules, a “community-based quality of life group,” has announced their support for the Waterfront Now initiative. In a statement posted on their website, the group says that they have “investigated [the initiative] and verified that both the developer and the City would appreciate your signature and your support. [...] Feel free to sign this document.”
The group’s statement went on to explain: “If the Council were to put the petition demands in place, or if it should go to the ballot and be enacted, the City says they still have control over the projects. All development projects still have to be approved by City Planning and the City Council. They still have to have EIRs, etc.”
The Friends of Hercules earlier had prematurely (and somewhat foolishly in my opinion) bought into the Szabo Plan following private discussions with City Manager Nelson Oliva (in November 2007). The Friends, who some began to refer to as the “Friends of Nelson Oliva,” were either misled about the project or did not fully grasp the plans for a big-box parking garage and convention center, a plan that contradicted the established goals of the Waterfront. In addition, the Szabo Plan was neither pedestrian-friendly nor smart growth, two ideals that had been typically supported by the Friends.
In my opinion, it is great that the page has turned, and that the Friends of Hercules are — once again — friends of Hercules.