Visitors to Pittsburg’s marina could soon buy fresh crab, lobster and other seafood and dine al fresco at a new cafe with a view of the Delta.
That’s what the Pittsburg City Council allowed to happen Monday when it unanimously approved an agreement with Global Resources Trading LLC to lease a building at 31 Marina Blvd., right next to Fisherman’s Catch Bait & Tackle shop, which Global has operated since 2018.
The company plans to open a fresh fish market and a cafe with outdoor dining at the 1,632-square-foot building. It also might build a banquet hall nearby, closer to the waterfront.
“This is an exciting project for the city as we look for economical development down there at the waterfront,” Mayor Jelani Killings said. “The owner is very excited about opportunities here in Pittsburg.”
Based in Hayward, Global Resources is a premier wholesaler of seafood, selling to major chains such as Whole Foods, and has also operated successful commercial seafood businesses and restaurants in the past.
The proposed fish market and cafe hark back to the city’s commercial fishing days in the late 1800s and early 1900s when Italian fishermen plied the waters of the nearby San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers, casting their nets for salmon, striped bass, shad and catfish.
Under terms of the agreement, the city will lease the waterfront property to Global Resources Trading for $1 a square foot starting on Jan. 1, 2021, then raise the rate by 5% a year beginning July 1, 2021.
The council approved City Manager Garrett Evans’ proposal to put the $19,584 from the lease into a budget for Pittsburg’s marina and waterfront, located on former redevelopment property the city took over in 2011.
Laura Wright, Pittsburg’s environmental affairs manager, said the company approached the city in 2018 for exclusive negotiating rights to the “berm” waterfront area.
“There’s incredible potential for this site,” she said. “The berm has an incredible view of the Delta, so getting a potential development there would really enhance the entire downtown waterfront area.”
According to Wright, Global Resources has upgraded the inside and outside of the bait shop and plans to improve the next-door building to accommodate the cafe and fish market. The Pittsburg Community Arts Foundation previously operated a studio and office there before moving to a more visible spot on Railroad Avenue.
“It will be a welcome addition to the area,” Wright said. “It will help attract more customers to the marina and jump-start public interest and highlight the impact of the potential development of the rest of the property.”
Vice Mayor Meryl Craft agreed.
“I like the idea and love the development,” she said before moving to approve the leasing agreement.
Killings noted the development will display the many potential uses of the waterfront berm.
“I know there are a lot of avid fishers in the city who have really enjoyed the fact that we brought a bait shop back to the area…” Killings said. “Now we’re being able to add this new component of a fresh seafood market as well as another amenity as far as an opportunity for folks to enjoy some food down at the marina, so I’m excited about this project.”
The Link LonkJuly 21, 2020 at 09:50PM
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Pittsburg to add a new fish market and cafe - East Bay Times
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