I have never been a huge fan of the Disneyfication of street names. I prefer classic, traditional street names, and in the Hercules waterfront in particular, I am in favor of names with historical context or meaning. So what follows were my submissions in the Hercules Bayfront naming contest (the first phase of which runs through April 19; the map of the named streets and plazas in the contest is shown at the bottom of this post).

Transit/Civic Plaza (the one with the cafe building)

I nominated Refugio Landing. The square/plaza represents the landing of people from several modes of transport — ferry, train, bus, car, bike, pedestrian — and Refugio Landing was the historic name of the pier off the Point (see 1916 topographic map below) and remains the colloquial name of the area for tide tables and fishermen.

I also suggested Powder Works Square, named simply for the company that operated on the site.

Transit Village

For the two smaller side streets in the Transit Village (situated northeast of Refugio Creek), I suggested…

• Mill Street — A traditional street name that suggests the industrial use of the site; and
• Saltpeter Street — Saltpeter is the chemical used to create dynamite powder.

For the unfortunately named — however temporary — Transit Loop, I nominated Seashell Loop. The waterside bridge could be designed with a seashell motif (attached seashells, seashell insignia, etc., whatever) and lend its name to the Loop. I also think the name could be John Muir Parkway since it is actually an extension and it may reduce confusion at the intersection.

And for Creekside Park, I suggested the park be named for the Native American tribe that resided along/near the creek. (I forget the name; it was mentioned during one of the workshops. A subset of Ohlone, maybe Karkin. I think it began with a ‘p.’) Another option is Creekmouth Park but I openly admitted on my submission form that that is probably a poor name; perhaps too literal.

Crescent Heights

For the streets in the future Crescent Heights neighborhood (sometimes referred by the City as “the Bowl”), I nominated…

• Kings Avenue — The street runs along the historic Kings Avenue that was on the site;
• Shorehaven Drive — The street is along the shore, and it will be a haven;
• Tamalpais Way — The street will provide a great view of Mount Tamalpais across the Bay;
• Crescent Heights Boulevard — The neighborhood is Crescent Heights, and the street is also crescent shaped; and
• Saltpeter Street — Saltpeter is the chemical used to create dynamite powder. (Double-dipping; hedging my bets.)

For the future Railroad Plaza, I submitted Saltpeter Square and Pointview Square. Saltpeter again because of its significance in the manufacture of dynamite, and Pointview pretty much explains itself: it will offer a panoramic view of the Point (which will become a regional destination).

Those were my submissions. The second phase will be the choosing of finalists by the developer, followed by a city-wide vote in June (third phase). (Click the map for larger version.)