On the agenda: Taking back the keys to Craneway, Riggers Loft leases, and garbage strike credits

The Richmond City Council will consider an inspection of the historic Craneway Pavilion as the city prepares to regain control of the waterfront venue, approve 12-month leases with three beverage producers at the Riggers Loft Building, and vote on a settlement providing billing credits to residents affected by July’s garbage strike.

Richmond's dollar-a-year tenant ready to call it quits

The Richmond City Council will consider approving a $169,500 contract to inspect the Craneway Pavilion at the historic Ford Assembly Plant as the city prepares to potentially regain control of the waterfront venue. This is the only new business item on Tuesday’s council agenda.

The assessment comes as Orton Entertainment, LLC has reportedly offered to donate its leasehold interest in the city-owned property back to Richmond. The company has operated the Craneway since 2004 under a 55-year lease with annual rent of just $1.

City staff recommend hiring RDH Building Science to conduct a comprehensive pre-turnover inspection examining the building’s structural integrity, mechanical and electrical systems, environmental hazards, and accessibility compliance. The assessment would also identify deferred maintenance needs and estimated repair costs.

The move follows months of community frustration over the facility’s management, including the closure earlier this year of a pickleball facility that operated at the Craneway. Community members expressed concerns that the facility’s operators had abandoned their customers and limited the historic building’s availability for public events.

“This proposed donation would return to the City full control and operational responsibility for the property, presenting both opportunities and potential liabilities,” according to the city staff report.

The inspection is expected to take approximately 65 days once work begins. RDH Building Science was selected from three firms that responded to the city’s request for proposals.

The city is also conducting a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and analyzing the financial implications of operating the Craneway as a public event center. Staff are studying similar publicly owned venues in Tacoma, San Francisco and Oakland to inform their approach.

The facility, located at 1414-1422 Harbour Way South, includes event space but not the adjoining restaurant or some additional facilities, which are on private property.

New leases for former Riggers Loft subtenants

The Surplus Property Authority will vote on lease agreements with three small beverage producers to continue operations at the Riggers Loft Building, but the deals prohibit tasting rooms, event spaces and kitchens.

The Surplus Property Authority and City Council will consider the 12-month leases at their joint meeting, which would generate $95,232 in annual revenue for the port.

The producers had been operating under sublease agreements at 1325 Canal Boulevard before the city regained control of the property through court action. Officials moved to preserve business continuity by offering direct leases at their previous rental rates.

Far West Cider, a family-owned operation, would pay $6,186 monthly for 3,510 square feet of production space. Carica Wines and KARIBU Lounge would each pay $875 monthly for smaller areas.

KARIBU Lounge, formerly Wachira Wines, is owned by Dr. Chris Wachira, the first Kenyan-born Californian winemaker.

The short-term agreements restrict operations to production and storage only. City staff plan to conduct a market analysis and issue a request for proposals for future use of the facility within the next year.

$447,000 settlement over July garbage strike

Richmond residents affected by a nearly two-week garbage strike in July will receive billing credits totaling approximately $447,000 under a settlement agreement city leaders are set to consider.

The Richmond City Council will vote on a memorandum of understanding with Republic Services to resolve claims stemming from the work stoppage that disrupted waste collection from July 8 to 21.

Garbage bags and loose debris piled up during the July strike. Photo/ Soren Hemmila

About 30,000 residential customers would receive one-time credits ranging from $10.70 to $42.35, depending on their service tier, according to settlement documents. The credits cover two missed pickups during the sympathy strike.

The work stoppage began when Teamsters Local 315 members refused to cross picket lines established by other Teamster locals at Republic Services facilities. The action was linked to a separate labor dispute at Republic’s Forward Landfill in Stockton.

Under the proposed settlement, the city would release Republic Services from all claims related to the work stoppage. The agreement states the credit “is not to constitute or be interpreted as an admission of any liability or wrongdoing” by either party.

Credits would appear on customer bills by January 1, 2026.

The council is also set to vote on more than a dozen consent calendar items at an upcoming meeting, including accepting $10 million in regional transportation funding and approving new labor contracts with city employee unions.

The council will consider accepting Regional Measure 3 funding from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, with $7.5 million designated for Neighborhood Complete Streets projects and $2.5 million for the Richmond Wellness Trail Phase II, according to agenda documents.

Legal services and contract amendments

The City Attorney’s Office is seeking approval for a contract amendment with Best Best & Krieger LLP, adding $150,000 to bring the total agreement to $160,000 for general municipal law matters. Separately, the Community Development Department is requesting a $250,000 legal services agreement with Goldfarb & Lipman LLP for land use, housing and real estate matters.

Port and transportation projects

In economic development matters, the council will vote on accepting up to $11.2 million in federal grant funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration for dock restoration, with an additional $2.8 million in Port Enterprise Fund matching contributions. The item also includes a $140,000 contract amendment with Momentum for grant administration services.

Labor agreements

Human Resources is presenting multiple items, including successor memorandums of understanding with the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers Local 21 for both Mid-Management and Executive Management units.

The council will also vote on side letters with Service Employees International Union Local 1021 and IFPTE Local 21 regarding a year-end holiday closure from December 24, 2025, through January 1, 2026.

Additionally, a contract amendment with Bob Murray and Associates will increase recruitment services funding by $34,000, to a total of $68,000.

Public Works Infrastructure

The Public Works Department is seeking approval for a $374,000 construction contract with WR Forde for the Richmond Art and Light Project.

The council will also vote on a preliminary engineering services agreement with Union Pacific Railroad Company for the Bayview Avenue Grade Separation Safety & Bike Lane Improvements Project, with authorization for the public works director to approve amendments up to $25,000.

Real estate agreements for the I-80/Central Avenue Interchange Improvements Phase 2 Project are also on the agenda, including required right-of-way acquisitions, easements, and grant deeds.

The council will receive a third-quarter 2025 update on projects within Richmond’s Green Blue New Deal initiative.

Full agenda documents and attachments are available on the city’s website at https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4157/City-of-Richmond-Council-Meetings

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