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Residents and park advocates urge $3 million to finish Harbor 8 Park and community resilience center
Summary
Pogo Park staff and neighborhood residents urged Richmond’s City Council on June 3 to fund the final $3 million needed to complete Harbor 8 Park and its community resilience center, which organizers say will serve thousands in the Iron Triangle and Santa Fe neighborhoods.
Multiple residents and community representatives urged the Richmond City Council to allocate $3 million to complete Harbor 8 Park, a project led by nonprofit Pogo Park that includes a community resilience center intended to serve nearby neighborhoods, including an SB 535‑designated disadvantaged community in the Iron Triangle.
Cheryl Mayer, a long‑time Richmond resident, told the council Harbor 8 Park would be “another jewel in the crown of the city” and asked city leaders to consider a $3 million award to bridge funding gaps so the park could open this summer. Kia Walton, an employee of Pogo Park, said the resilience center would serve about 15,000 residents, include two emergency generators and an industrial kitchen, and house a community emergency plan with resident training, block captain communication and emergency backpacks.
City staff cautioned speakers about discussing specific budget figures during public comment; the city attorney and city manager noted budget decisions must be made in the formal budget process and are not decided during open forum. Several speakers said they would follow the formal agenda when the council considers the budget.
Council members thanked advocates for the presentation and said the budget hearings would be the forum for any appropriation. No appropriation was made at the meeting; advocates were advised to bring the request to the budget item where council will consider allocations for the coming fiscal year.
