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Banner Year for Port of Redwood City
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| Pouring concrete for wharves modernization |
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| Rendition of wharves at completion |
It has been a banner year for the Port of Redwood City. Its $16 million wharf modernization project is nearing completion and Port business is increasing.
Reconstruction and modernization of the Port’s Wharves 1&2 reached a major milestone in July with the completion of the pouring of the new concrete deck. The large concrete wharf deck, 426 ft. by 58 ft., is supported by 115 concrete pilings that were driven in November/December 2012 by the project contractor, Manson Construction Company.
The wharf will be used to dock dry bulk ships of a size known as “Panamax,” the largest ships currently able to pass though the Panama Canal. From the deck of the new wharf, mobile cranes and large hoppers will be able to load/unload ships. Thirty-foot wide concrete ramps will connect the wharf to shore and will be completed in August.
Construction started in September 2012 with the demolition of the over 60 year old wooden Wharves 1 & 2 and the adjacent warehouse built by the U.S. Navy during World War II. A
950-foot long seawall designed to meet storm surges and predicted sea level rise has been built along the shore of the Port adjacent to the new wharf. Additional improvements at the Port that are part of the Wharves 1&2 project include: a new 800 sq. ft. longshoreman’s building (to be constructed by a Redwood City firm, Beals Martin, Inc.) upgraded water/electric utilities, new roads, exterior lighting, and parking area. Project completion is on schedule for late 2013.
Reflecting a significant increase in construction in the Bay Area and the high quality of building materials from British Columbia, the Port experienced a 13 percent increase in cargo movement across its docks for the fiscal year 2012/2013 that ended June 30.
The 12-month figure was 1,493,190 metric tons (mt), up from 1,319,198 metric tons from the previous fiscal year and the highest at the Port since 2006. Imports of sand and aggregates totaled 1,047,805 mt, a 24 percent increase over the previous fiscal year.
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| Rt. Honorable Paul E. Martin |
“The high quality of sand and gravel aggregates from British Columbia combined with the dwindling supply of these materials in Northern California because quarries are unable to expand, triggered a strong demand from which the Port benefited,” said Executive Director Michael J. Giari.
The building aggregates arrive at the Port in modern, self-unloading ships operated by Canadian Steamship Lines. Eagle Rock Aggregates is the supplier of these high quality building materials from their Orca Quarry, located on Vancouver Island, BC.
The Port was pleased to recently announce that Peninsula Youth Sailing Foundation (PYSF) will be a new co-host of PortFest, scheduled Saturday, October 5, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Port’s Marina and public waterfront area. See www.rwcportfest.org for full details. PortFest is an annual showcase of the working and recreational Port of Redwood City waterfront. The all-day festival features boat rides, working waterfront tours, live music, food and drink, arts and crafts, children’s activities, and much more. Admission and parking are free.
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| PortFest is scheduled for Saturday, October 5. This photo is from previous PortFest |
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Wharves Project Includes Public Improvements
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| Port’s Fishing Pier |
In conjunction with the Wharves 1 & 2 project, waterfront public access improvements will be made between the Port’s Marina and adjacent office complex. A new 10-foot wide promenade leading to the public fishing pier and waterfront viewing areas will improve both general and handicap accessibility, and combined with new landscaping will enhance the attractiveness of the area.
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| Picnic tables on Port waterfront |
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Public Waterfront Access & Recreation
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Public Access
The Port has more than one mile of waterfront public access, walkways, and viewing areas. These include waterfront parks with picnic areas, restrooms, and parking. Fishing is allowed from the public fishing pier. The Port has the only public boat launching facility with access to San Francisco Bay south of Coyote Point. The Port operates a dry boat storage facility next to the public boat
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| Port boat launch ramp |
launch ramp.
Port of Redwood City Marina
The Port operates a modern 190-berth marina facility. For berthing information, contact Spinnaker Sailing at 650-363-1390. The Sequoia Yacht Club (www.sequoiayc.org) has its nautical-themed clubhouse and deck overlooking the Marina. They offer a junior sailing program to teach young people sailing and navigation. Also located at the Marina is Spinnaker Sailing School
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| Youth sailing a the Port |
(www.spinnakersailing.com), offering internationally certified sailing courses.
Waterfront Festivals and Public Events
Public events and festivals include visits by historic ships and sailing vessels. Tallships frequently visit the Port, offering public tours and special educational events for Redwood City schools. Each spring the Port is the location for the “Opening Day” of the boating season with a decorated boat parade. Crew boat races,
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| Lady Washington visits Port |
Hawaiian Outrigger canoe races, sailing regattas, & PortFest are regularly held on the Port’s waterfront. PortFest is held the first Saturday of each year. PortFest IV is scheduled for this October 5. Redwood City’s famous 4th of July, prominent because of the Peninsula’s biggest annual parade, caps off with a spectacular fireworks show from the Port. The show was sponsored by Sims Metal Management, with generous support from Lyngso Garden Materials,
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| Port Hosts Fireworks on 4th of July |
CEMEX, Cargill, Recology San Mateo County, One Marina – New Redwood City Housing, the Pete and Paula Uccelli Foundation, and the Port of Redwood City.
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| A trolley gives Port tours on PortFest day |
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Port of Redwood City: The Recycling Port
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| Port overview |
The Port of Redwood City is one of the leading environmental ports in the nation. Several of the Port’s businesses are engaged in recycling materials.
- Sims Metal Management recycles more than 300,000 scrapped vehicles per year and exports the scrap metal to the Far East and South Asia by ship.
- Cemex Aggregate recycles concrete and asphalt.
- Seaport Refining and Environmental recycles petroleum pipeline waste for resale as useable fuel.
- Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc. transships millions of gallons a year of recycled industrial fuel.
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| Sims Metal Management last year loaded15 ships destined to Asia with recycled metal to be used by still mills throughout Asia. |
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Port Wins Award for Its Year-Long 75th Anniversary Celebration in 2012
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The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), a trade association representing ports throughout the Western Hemisphere, has selected 26 seaports to be recognized for exemplary communications projects and programs at its annual convention and awards luncheon this fall. Winning entrants in AAPA’s 46th annual Communications Awards Program will be recognized at an Oct. 16 luncheon in conjunction with AAPA’s 102nd Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla., which runs Oct. 13-17.
The Port of Redwood City will receive an award of distinction in the special events category for its year-long 75th anniversary celebration in 2012.
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The Port’s year-long celebration was designed to reach the public through special events and social media.
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PortFest Set for Saturday, October 5
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| Erika Heineken to demonstrate at PortFest |
Join Us this October 5, 2013,
at Redwood City PortFest!
Erika Heineken, the reigning Women’s World Champion Kiteboarding Racer and last year’s runner-up for Yachtswoman of the Year and sister to the 2012 Yachtsman of the Year Johnny Heineken, will perform a kiteboarding demonstration at PortFest October 5.
She will be performing kiteboarding tricks on-the-water between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. that can be viewed from the waterfront areas at PortFest, which will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission and free parking.
Hosted by The Port of Redwood City and the Peninsula Youth Sailing Foundation, proceeds benefit PYSF. This annual festival celebrates the recreational and working waterfront, featuring:
- Introduction to sailing for kids and teens.
- Boat rides & waterfront tours.
- Live Music. LIVEWIRE is a high energy 6-piece band that will rock PortFest from Journey to The Jackson 5 to Rihanna from noon to 2 p.m. Check them out at http://lwband.com/
- Children’s and teen’s activities.
- Beer garden and tiki bar.
- Food booths & food trucks.
For more information about PortFest, visit www.rwcportfest.org
For more information about the Port of Redwood City, visit www.redwoodcityport.com
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Meet Port Commissioners
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A five-member Port Commission is appointed by the Redwood City Council. The Commission regularly meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at 8 a.m. at the Port offices, 675 Seaport Blvd. All meetings are open to the public. You can get agendas and minutes from the Port’s website.
Port Commissioners are:
- Dick Claire: a financial and accounting professor at Canada College in Redwood City. He also is a former Redwood City mayor. Serving since 2007.
- Tom Cronin: CEO of the Redwood City Police Athletic League. Serving since 2010.
- Richard “Dick” Dodge: owns an office supply business, T.H.E. Office City. Serving since 1980.
- Ralph Garcia: owns a vacuum and sewing center in Redwood City. Serving since 2005.
- Lorianna Kastrop: vice president and controller of The Kastrop Group, Inc. Architects in Redwood City. Serving since 2008.
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| Dick Dodge |
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| Lorianna Kastrop |
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| Ralph Garcia |
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| Tom Cronin |
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Richard Claire
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Meet Port Staff
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* Michael J. Giari, Executive Director
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Executive Director Mike Giari
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* Rita Artist, Executive Assistant
* Cynthia Hampton, Director of Finance and Administration
* Donald K. Snaman, Manager of Operations
* Chris Fajkos, Manager of Environmental, Security, & Safety
* Linda Hawkins, Accounting Clerk,
* Margaret Astesano , Receptionist/Administative Assistant
* Santiago Talamantes, Port Maintenance
* Jorge Ganoza, Port Maintenance
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