Residents Given Chance to Decide Casino's Fate

The Richmond City Council voted Tuesday night to place an advisory  measure on the Nov. 2 ballot that will give voters a chance to weigh in on a  proposal to build a Las Vegas-style casino resort at Point Molate.
     
Councilman Jim Rogers opposed the measure and Councilwoman  Ludmyrna Lopez abstained. The five other council members voted in favor of  placing the measure on the ballot, Richmond City Clerk Diane Holmes said.
     
The advisory measure is non-binding, meaning that the City Council  will still have the final say over how to develop 266 acres of the former  Naval Fuel Depot, which sits along Richmond's waterfront just north of the  Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.
     
The vote will, however, give Richmond residents another way to  express their opinions about the controversial $1.2 billion project.
     
In 2004, the council entered into a land disposition agreement  with Upstream Pt. Molate LLC, which has been working with the Guidiville Band  of Pomo Indians to propose a plan for the development.
     
The proposal includes a 124,000-square-foot casino, two hotels,  luxury cottages, business, conference and entertainment facilities, a  300,000-square-foot shopping center and tribal government buildings.
     
The plan also includes 340 units of multi-family housing,  restoration of 34 historic buildings, a ferry terminal, shoreline parks, a  tribal park and bicycle and pedestrian paths.
     
The council is also considering non-gaming options for the  property and will likely be reviewing the final environmental impact report  for all options in the spring of 2011.