VALLEJO: MOVING FORWARD?
It’s been months since our last post. Wake up Vallejo!
Actually, a lot has occurred during that time and if you happen to take a walk to the ferry terminal, you’ll see there’s some construction going on. Better bring your hard hat! Thanks to an influx of federal stimulus funds, plans are underway for Vallejo Station, which is supposed to house an underground parking garage and a walkway connecting to the new bus terminal on Sacramento and Marin to the waterfront. Of course, I think the way it’s set up now where you have Vallejo Transit and other buses stop on Mare Island Way near the terminal as a destination point is perfect but hey, I don’t make the decisions. It’s the downside of being an outsider…..
For all those who wondered if Vallejo would have make a move as far as new buildings, the changes to the terminal itself are great. Wheelchair access is now available and Panama Red has a new outdoor concrete patio for patrons to sip on their tea and coffee outside. From the looks of it, more space and improved restrooms are also in the works for the building which desperately needs a facelift. I should note on the other side of town near I-80 and Solano, a shopping center is undergoing its own renovations with upgraded retail stores servicing residents nearby.
In an earlier post on this site, it has been said Vallejo sees itself as a beautiful girl with low self-esteem. Judging from the number of criticisms in print media and in online message boards or blogs, the persistent negative image especially in a difficult period, justifies the perception Vallejo is and will never be good enough to become a quality Northern California city. I say bull to that notion because Vallejo has over 120,000 people in it, not a small town as many people tend to believe it is. The current changes in the waterfront and the fact the Empress Theatre downtown has groups like The Whispers and Sheila E. performing should not only draw crowds to the venue, but the businesses around it like Havana Sol.
Yet, someone will find fault in these efforts. It’s part of the challenge of Vallejo moving forward but when has a few trite words stopped progress? The renovations at the waterfront are a good first step. The good people of Vallejo deserve more from their politicians and organizations for the betterment of this wonderful town which has the potential of being something much more than their neighboring cities. The jury is still out whether the waterfront renovations and Vallejo Station signals more progress or will it be the same old visions of what Vallejo should be stop it in its tracks? Guess we’ll find out.
Charles L. Chatmon
Chatmon's Books
Posted by Sweet Home Vallejo at 10/14/2010 10:53 PM 
Categories: Vallejo, bankruptcy, california
Tags: Vallejo bankruptcy california
Categories: Vallejo, bankruptcy, california
Tags: Vallejo bankruptcy california
vallejo is collectively the stupidest town I can think of. they still want to be a bedroom community. they turned away Fairfield mall when it could have been here along with all that tax revenue. no wonder they're bankrupt! they're STUPID. they thought mare island was all they needed. that and building more & more houses everywhere while ignoring business. anyone who wants to earn a livable income has to get on the freeway (or $$$$ ferry) to get to work. what have they ever done to bring Bart under the bridge so people from sac city, Vjo, Benicia, napa have an affordable transit alternative that wd keep them off I-80??? you wanna go out to eat, or do something other than movies here in vallajo? yr right back on the freeway. for over 20 years what has vallejo done with the available waterfront area?? outsiders, shut up. you dont know what you're talking about. way too much history and lost opportunity. I may live here but regret it every day of my life. even grocery shopping I do in concord, Oakland, or Berkeley. this place sucks.
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Anna - first thank you for responding to the post. It’s always good to hear from anyone reading the blog. Second, we both know past city leaderships have made some ‘stupid’ decisions that have caused the troubles in Vallejo today. There are tons of websites that reflect that. However, the focus of the post is to acknowledge that maybe finally, finally, someone’s getting it right and that the city is moving in the right direction.
For example, I’m sure you heard about the Mare Island Studios, LLC deal with the city. While it’s not a done deal yet, the reaction has been positive that it will eventually happen. Not only that, but while we didn’t get a Trader Joes, from my experience, Fresh and Easy which is planning to come and IMO, is the better alternative based in looking at one of their stores in Southern California. I don’t know about you, but I do see this as a sign of progress here in Vallejo.
Speaking as an outsider, four months after moving here, I opened a mobile bookstore. I recognized the city not having either a big chain retailer or independent bookstore, so with the help of my wife, decide we were going to open our own. The response from people who bought books in the two years I’ve been here has been more than positive.
I do understand your frustration, especially when there’s a lot more than can be done here. We shouldn’t overlook the small steps taken to get this city back on track. Maybe this is too Polyannaish a view, but so far, I’m willing to be patient and give it a chance. The way businesses are turned away is something I hope will be discussed more of so it can give people and companies who do want to invest here a chance.
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