Town Hall Meeting

April 8th, 2003


On Tuesday April 8, 2003, over one hundred North Coast citizens gathered at Fort Bragg Town Hall to continue the discussion about the future of the Georgia Pacific Mill Site.Members of North Coast Action gave updates about the site and restated the guiding principles of NCA which are openess, transparency, and inclusivity. NCA supports a multi-use plan for the 430 acre coastal site that will address the many diverse needs of the North Coast.

A letter from Georgia Pacific’s Communications Manager Melodie Ruse was read. The letter stated that GP is pleased to know that citizens are taking an active interest in their community and are concerned with helping it grow and thrive in the future and they are looking forward to learning more details about specific suggestions and thoughts from citizens of the North Coast. GP has retained the services of a multidisciplinary team with expertise in land use and environmental planning, as well as engineering, economic and other disciplines. In late April and May, this team will meet with the City staff to discuss an overall schedule and to identify key steps in the planning process. They will also identify additional opportunities for community input as we move forward.

Several members of the community gave presentations including Ted Rabinowitsh, Chairman of the Community Development Board who talked about the relationship between the downtown center and the future development of the GP site. City Manager, Connie Jackson offered insight into the city process regarding land use, the general plan and future city council meetings that will involve public input. Becky Mikesell, owner of Racines in downtown Fort Bragg, spoke about working together as a community honoring the diversity of the coast and continuing to ask the question, “What will it look like one hundred years from now?” Wally Clark presented visions of a cultural center highlighting local Native American history and contributions to the North Coast. Other speakers included weaver Andreya Marks who spoke about modeling an artists gallery/studio center after the nationally renowned Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Virginia,

The next North Coast Action Town Hall Meeting is May 20, 2003, 7:00pm at Fort Bragg Town Hall. This meeting will also be broadcast live on MCCET Channel 3 Television. Citizens will be presenting research on various visions and ideas that have been generated by the community in NCA’s previous meetings. These presentations will include the environmental remediation process, Eco-Park, Business Incubators, Arts Center, University Satellite/Marine Research Facility, a Historical Museum and a marsh water treatment /bird sanctuary fashioned after the marsh project in Arcata, California. All citizens are encouraged to attend.

NCA continues to gather information and network interested citizens into working committees to explore possibilities for the future develpment of the GP site. If you have an idea or would like to become involved with North Coast Action, please call 964-3094 or visit NCA’s website at www.northcoastaction.org.