San Rafael moves to buy 620 Canal Street to secure future park and bicycle-pedestrian crossing

The San Rafael City Council on June 23 adopted a resolution authorizing the city manager to negotiate a purchase and enter into a grant agreement with Marin County to acquire 620 Canal Street, a 1.65-acre parcel on the south side of the Canal, to hold it for a future park and to help site a proposed bicycle-and-pedestrian crossing across San Rafael Creek.

"Before you this evening is a resolution that will enable the city to purchase the property located at 620 Canal Street…to serve as a park and potential base of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge across the San Rafael Creek," Greg Miner, assistant economic director, told the council during the presentation. Staff described the parcel as located across from San Rafael High School and the Montecito Shopping Center and as an opportunity that has emerged from decades of community planning and recent grant-funded feasibility work for a crossing.

The council approved a motion that authorizes the city manager to negotiate and execute a grant agreement with Marin County for a minimum of $1,150,000 in Measure A land preservation and park access funds, to accept and appropriate those funds, and to negotiate and enter into a purchase and sale agreement for the property provided the city contribution does not exceed $500,000 (plus the Measure A funds). The motion also authorized other actions necessary to carry out the purchase; the vote was 4–0.

Staff and partners said the purchase will allow the city to secure the land now while fundraising continues for park development and for feasibility and design work on a future bridge. Greg Miner said Trust for Public Land negotiated on behalf of the city and is working to close a remaining fundraising gap with private philanthropy; staff projected a closing date of Aug. 18, with a Marin County Board of Supervisors decision on the Measure A grant expected July 8. The purchase and park development will be carried out in stages; staff emphasized that developing a park and building a bridge will require additional, substantial funding and multi-year planning.

Council members and staff discussed existing uses on the site (boats and docks), noting docks will likely require repair and that the city does not intend to become a long-term landlord to existing businesses on the site; initial expectations are that the site would be cleared to create park amenities. Staff also described the property as aligning with the city’s Canal neighborhood transportation and park access priorities identified in community plans dating back to 2006 and updated in 2022.

The resolution passed on a 4–0 vote with Vice Mayor Bushey, Council member Hill, Council member Kurtz and Mayor Kaye Cullen recorded as voting aye.