City Considers Fate of Corporation Yard

Ongoing complaints from residents have motivated the City of Hercules to investigate moving its corporation yard out of the Bayside neighborhood and into…well, it’s not clear yet.

“The site has really begun to see (some) action, and it’s probably time to start discussions about closing it down and moving it out of the neighborhood,” said Hercules’ Chief Building Official John McGuire, who oversees the yard.

The corporation yard, which lives on an 11-acre lot that includes a retention pond and adjoining piece of land, used to hold a wastewater treatment plant. The plant was decommissioned in 2002, with wastewater diverted to Pinole, and the corporation yard sprung up shortly after. The lot has since been identified as a possible school site by the West County Unified School District.

McGuire said a new site for the corporation yard would require at least 1.5 acres.

There are four properties the city has identified at the meeting as possible new sites for the yard:

• Palm Avenue at Sycamore Avenue--1.7 acres

• Five Giants, which is off of Willow and Sycamore avenues--6.34 acres, with only half an acre of usable site due to the presence of wetlands.

• Forest Run Site, which sits behind Forrest Fun--6.34 acres

• Lot Behind Pacific Gas and Electric substation 1.75 acres. This site is next to the existing Bay Area Rapid Transit park and ride lot.

McGuire said his favorite site for a relocated yard would be the one next to the BART park and ride lot because it's flat and not able to be developed.

City Manager Steve Duran said the city would need to go through a planning and budget process before doing any more spending on projects like the corporation yard relocation.

“Our financial situation is so dire and our cash position is so slim….I would recommend (that the city refrain from spending on anything that) isn’t absolutely essential to ongoing operations,” Duran said at a council meeting last month.

Duran in the process of creating a new for the Hercules. The city has circulated a rough draft of a business plan, which is scheduled to receive input from the public and then be considered by the city council Jan. 10.