Project Concepts

Project Concepts

The Project regenerates two communities historically connected to Point Molate and the Bay Area, the Guidiville Pomos, and the people of Richmond, and balances four important uses of the Site:

• A land base for the use of the Guidiville Pomos
• A vibrant five-star entertainment district and destination resort
• Residential and commercial ecovillage
• Hillside open space and shoreline park for habitat and community recreation

The Project is in line with smart-growth principles, reuses and restores an infill Brownfield site, and enhances public transit linkages with BART, AC Transit, private shuttles, and direct ferry service to San Francisco and other Bay Area locations. After approvals, the project team will build within the existing footprint of previously disturbed areas, balancing site development and environmental goals. The project design protects the site shoreline and open space through conservation easements.

Part of the site’s existing developed footprint	Project Design and Layout for Point Molate (PDF, 214 KB)

Winehaven Historic District
The Project will reuse and redevelop the Winehaven Historic District (the District). The restored District will house a thriving entertainment and resort destination with music, restaurants, small shops, gaming, public plazas, and hotel and convention facilities. Revenue from this five-star project will provide the funds necessary for the restoration and continued preservation of the Winehaven building, cottages, and ancillary structures. With the exception of Building 6, a dilapidated structure in the center of the proposed redevelopment, all buildings within the District will be restored to applicable historic preservation guidelines. Historical exhibits to commemorate the rich history of Native peoples, and the history of Richmond and its critical role in WWII will be integrated into the resort, along with revolving exhibits that feature local arts and culture.

Hotels
The resort will include approximately 1,100 hotel rooms and suites; approximately 800 rooms in the main hotel area and another 300 in the Point Hotel. Existing historic cottages will be rehabilitated for use as luxury guest suites. Up to 50 of the hotel suites will be available as tribal housing, so Guidiville members can participate fully in governmental, business, and cultural opportunities on site.

Entertainment and Conference Center
A 48,000-square-foot entertainment center will be constructed as part of the resort complex. The 2,500-seat theater will provide an important regional venue for musical and theatrical performances, as well as cultural, academic, community, and business events. In addition, a 122,000-square-foot conference facility (the Conference Center) will be constructed as part of the main parking structure. The Conference Center will fill a regional void for mid-size business, educational, and community events where attendees can access dining, entertainment, and open space without getting into their vehicles. Conference and restaurant facilities will also be available for community events, weddings, and local celebrations. Ferry and connections to BART and AC Transit will allow seamless visitor access to San Francisco and other points around the Bay.

Retail Village
A 300,000-square-foot retail pedestrian village is proposed connecting the Point Hotel to the main resort complex. Approximately 30 to 75 retail shops will be housed in this development. The retail village will be constructed with extensive daylighting and Bay views, and will include restaurants and cafes, retail shopping, and public plazas with both luxury and convenience shopping to attract regional tourism and serve local residents.

Tribal Facilities
The proposed Guidiville Tribal Government facilities will be constructed as part of the site’s park and administrative offices, east of the main resort facilities. Nearby dance grounds and roundhouse will be used by Tribal members throughout the year, as well as by visitors during intertribal gatherings.

Parkland and Recreation
Approximately 145 acres of hillside land will be maintained as open space. Pursuant to Section 2.6 of the LDA and Section 5.7 of the MSA (Exhibit E of LDA), Guidiville will establish permanent conservation easements and public access easements approved by BIA and the City, and the Tribe will set aside and fund the maintenance and preservation of the hillside open space. The existing LDA requires that the Tribe adopt guidelines and standards for the operation and maintenance of the hillside open space substantially similar to the guidelines and standards of the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation Park Management Plan. Open space areas will be maintained primarily in their natural state but will include pedestrian trails, picnic areas (both open and reserved), restroom facilities, and park amenities consistent with those found in regional parks in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

A 35-acre shoreline park will provide public access to the Bay along the entire shoreline of the project site. The shoreline park will include large vegetated areas for walking and enjoying the shoreline, public art and cultural exhibits, picnic areas (both open and reserved), park recreation facilities (play areas, equipment rental, etc.) and restrooms facilities. In accordance with conditions of the LDA, an approximate 50-foot wide shoreline strip of land within the shoreline park will be leased to Guidiville by the City, rather than placed in trust. The park will include a newly constructed segment of the San Francisco Bay Trail, funded by Guidiville, pursuant to the Bay Trail Plan design policies and guidelines as published by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG 1999) and in consultation with members of the Trails for Richmond Action Committee (TRAC) as specified in Exhibit H of the LDA.

The existing LDA requires that the Tribe adopt guidelines and standards for the operation and maintenance of the shoreline park substantially similar to the guidelines and standards of the Bay Trail Plan (ABAG 1999).

Transit and Parking
With discussions already in progress with numerous ferry services, AC Transit, BART, and the City of Richmond, the Project will be an integral hub in the Bay Area’s mass transit systems. With proposed direct ferry service from San Francisco, Vallejo, and Marin County to the Site’s proposed ferry terminal, approximately 5,000 visitors per day can be accommodated on existing ferry lines by "back-loading" commuter ferries on most routes without a significant increase in ferry miles traveled. Discussions with BART are underway for direct shuttles to and from the Richmond BART station, and with AC Transit on increased service throughout Richmond paid for by the Project, including a new circular service to pick up employees throughout the City, so most can access the Site without use of private cars. It is anticipated that employees and site visitors will use mass transit extensively to access the Site.

Approximately 5,000 parking spaces will be provided in a partially subterranean parking structure located across (east) Western/Winehaven Drive from the casino-hotel complex. An additional 2,500 parking spaces will be provided in a seven-level garage, all of which will be below grade, hidden from view, and integrated into the Point Hotel. The main parking structure will have eight levels, four of which will be below ground level. Access points to this parking structure will be provided from Western/Winehaven Drive, with pedestrian access through a foot bridge (and/or tunnel) structure to the hotels, casino, and remainder of the site west of Western/Winehaven Drive. Both valet and employee parking will be contained within the parking structure. The seven-level parking structure that will be integrated into the Point Hotel will service the hotels, retail, restaurant, park, and ferry facilities near the shoreline. Parking for police and emergency vehicles will be provided throughout the Site.

Residences
Fifty units of tribal housing are incorporated into the main hotel complex and in one of the project alternatives being evaluated in the EIR/EIS, an additional 340 housing units are proposed for the former Drum Lot (after remediation is completed) on the southern end of the Site. Approximately one third of those units will be set aside in a Tribe-subsidized affordable housing program for tribal members, with remaining units sold as market-rate housing. While City affordable housing goals will likely be met through Tribal housing alone, the project will also contribute in-lieu fees to the City in accordance with the City’s inclusionary housing program. Housing on the Site will be served with a free on-site shuttle system to BART, the Winehaven entertainment district, and ferry pier, allowing for a unique combination of beautiful surroundings, proximity to vibrant entertainment, and seamless access to mass transit.