Not New York anyway. But the city adjacent to Berkeley feels a stake in the controversy.
My question – did they take a stand on the widening of Interstate 80?
Albany has, to my knowledge, California’s only Korea Town with a great theater which exclusively plays Korean film.
Wikipedia says this of the city’s history:
In 1908, a group of local women protested the dumping of Berkeley garbage in their community. Armed with two shotguns and a twenty-two-caliber rifle, they confronted the drivers of the wagons near what is now the corner of San Pablo Avenue and Buchanan Street. The women told the drivers of the horse-drawn garbage wagons to go home, which they did quickly and without complaint. Shortly thereafter, the residents of the town voted to incorporate as the City of Ocean View. In 1909, voters changed the name of the city, primarily to distinguish the city from the adjacent section of Berkeley which had previously been named Ocean View. On a vote of 38 to 6 the city was renamed in honor of Albany, New York, the birthplace of the city’s first mayor, Frank Roberts.
I think this entry to Wilipedia may need updating, at least as far as what they are “trying to attract.”
The major retail and business areas in Albany are Solano Avenue, which is a pedestrian-oriented street lined with mainly small shops, restaurants, and services; San Pablo Avenue, which is more automobile-oriented; and an area near the Eastshore Freeway, which the city is trying to attract big-box stores and offices, and currently houses a two-story Target store.
The band Metalica resides in Albany.
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September 21, 2010 at 8:41 am
Anonymous
Try the Clay Pot Chinese restaurant in Albany. There’s nothing like it.
September 21, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Eric Kirk
Mmmm. I love clay pot dishes. I assume they specialize in them and have a variety?
September 21, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Jane
Well I think the strategy is a great one. The only thing the authorities are going to consider is volume of complaints. I say go for it–and other cities jump on board. It isn’t like we can undo the damage once it has been done. At some point where does heritage and image play a role in the same economy the pushers are arguing is going to be helped by this debacle. Tradition is important. I think of it the same way I do the Benbow Inn. Wouldn’t like to see it taken out either by Caltrans. Heritage and history have value to any society. It is already pretty clear the local Humboldt Planning Department and others have little regard for process, facts not fitting their agenda, and local nonbusiness opinions.
September 21, 2010 at 5:26 pm
sleepy
“It isn’t like we can undo the damage once it has been done. ” Yeah, some 10 inch trees will fall. None are redwoods.
September 21, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Ernie's Place
Maybe they can come up and join Jeff “Muskrat” run naked through the forest.
“Now I can check off “running naked across Redwood highway 101 in Richardson grove state Park as one of the things to do with my time left on Earth…” Jeff Muskrat
September 22, 2010 at 9:02 am
Kerul
It’s true, more cities will likely adopt resolutions as well, all across California. Hopefully we can come up with a creative solution to protect the state park while addressing transportation issues in Humboldt before any knock down drag out fights erupt.
Thanks for writing a post on the subject!
It’s predictable that people from all over the state, including many from the Bay, will be coming to our area to make a stand about this iconic issue.
In the meantime, I have a question for you and your readers.
According to Donna Tam at the Times Standard,
“The project will cost about $5.7 million to construct and $4.4 million in mitigation costs, according to the State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP). A majority of this program is funded through the federal government and a portion through the state.”
Why would they budget nearly half of the project cost for mitigation, if it’s not going to impact the grove?
What do you all think they are planning on spending it on?
Is this project really going to benefit taxpayers to the tune of 10+ million?
Thanks,
Kerul Dyer
EPIC
September 22, 2010 at 9:54 am
sleepy
“What do you all think they are planning on spending it on?”
Defending the predictable and utterly baseless lawsuit EPIC brought against them.