Contra Costa County Grand Jury
• 2025-2026
Martinez: Developing a Vibrant and Sustainable Waterfront
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 18 findings
F1
Martinez has 67.3 acres of waterfront property along the Carquinez Strait, including parcels deeded in 2014 by the State Lands Trust.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The Martinez City Council seeks to develop what it describes as a “vibrant and sustainable Waterfront and Marina” per its four-year Strategic Plan.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Martinez’s Strategic Plan includes waterfront and marina public spaces including recreational, boating, and wetlands components.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
A January 2023 engineering study by Anchor QEA commissioned by Martinez revealed that the marina seawall, docks, and pilings have deteriorated and require repair, rehabilitation, and/or replacement.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
Martinez currently lacks funds from ongoing City revenues for repair, rehabilitation, and/or replacement of the waterfront, seawall, marina docks, and pilings.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
By February 1, 2027, the Martinez City Council should consider developing an alternative funding plan that ensures the repair, redevelopment, and/or rehabilitation of the marina and waterfront without interfering with the current ENA or potential development agreement.
F6
The marina was partially dredged last in 2022.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Dredging of the marina every 3 to 5 years is required to provide enough waterway depth for boats to access docks.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
Martinez currently lacks funds for dredging silt deposited along its waterfront and the marina.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
By February 1, 2027, the Martinez City Council should consider developing an alternative funding plan that ensures the repair, redevelopment, and/or rehabilitation of the marina and waterfront without interfering with the current ENA or potential development agreement.
F9
Martinez’s shoreline is subject to a projected sea level rise of 6 to 10 inches by 2050, as determined by a 2022 Federal Sea Level Rise Technical report.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The projected rise in sea level will require the building of a higher seawall to prevent flooding of the marina parking lot and surrounding low-lying areas
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
By February 1, 2027, the Martinez City Council should consider developing an alternative funding plan that ensures the repair, redevelopment, and/or rehabilitation of the marina and waterfront without interfering with the current ENA or potential development agreement.
F11
Martinez currently lacks funds for construction of a higher seawall.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
By February 1, 2027, the Martinez City Council should consider developing an alternative funding plan that ensures the repair, redevelopment, and/or rehabilitation of the marina and waterfront without interfering with the current ENA or potential development agreement.
F12
Martinez cannot continue subsidizing the marina at the current scale without compromising the City’s core services.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
Martinez projects the difference between revenues and expenditures will require the City to continue to loan the marina $650,000 annually for its maintenance and operation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
By February 1, 2027, the Martinez City Council should consider developing an alternative funding plan that ensures the repair, redevelopment, and/or rehabilitation of the marina and waterfront without interfering with the current ENA or potential development agreement.
F14
Martinez has determined that a public-private partnership is the solution to create a vibrant and sustainable waterfront and marina.
No recommendations for this finding
F15
Martinez has entered into an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) with Tucker Sadler, a firm that has experience in developing waterfronts and marinas.
No recommendations for this finding
F16
The purpose of the ENA is to create a framework for the City and the developer to negotiate only with each other for the development of the proposed project.
No recommendations for this finding
F17
Martinez City Council and staff acknowledge the risks involved in a public-private partnership.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
If Martinez is unable to negotiate and execute a development agreement with Tucker Sadler, there is no identified mechanism to fund the repair, rehabilitation, or continued operation of the marina and waterfront.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
By February 1, 2027, the Martinez City Council should consider developing an alternative funding plan that ensures the repair, redevelopment, and/or rehabilitation of the marina and waterfront without interfering with the current ENA or potential development agreement.
In the News 1
News coverage of this report, automatically tracked.
Grand Jury to Martinez: Develop Another Funding Plan for Waterfront Development - Contra Costa News
Contra Costa News
· June 12, 2026