Point Isabel (promontory)

Point Isabel is a small promontory on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay in the Richmond Annex neighborhood of Richmond, USA. [http://www.topoquest.com/map.asp?lat=37.89919&lon=-122.32144&s=50&size=m&symshow=n&u=4&datum=nad83&layer=DRG25 Topographic map] , TopoQuest, retrieved July 5, 2008] It can be reached at the west terminus of Central Ave. from Richmond / El Cerrito.

History

In the 19th Century, it was part of the Rancho San Pablo owned by Don Victór Castro who received it in a land grant from the Mexican Republic. [http://elcerritowire.com/history/pages/pointisabel.htm Point Isabel] , El Cerrito Historical Society, retrieved August 1, 2007] He named the point for his daughter Isabel. In later years, the land was acquired by the Du Pont subsidiary Vigoret Powder Works of San Francisco, which used it primarily to store explosives. A wharf and railroad spur served the Vigoret site. In recent years, part of the land was acquired by the East Bay Regional Parks District for its Point Isabel Regional Shoreline, and also by the California state park system for its Eastshore State Park. The remains of at least two ancient Native American shell mounds are visible just offshore in the Albany Mudflats wetlands on the southern shore. The promontory once featured a hill much higher than today's elevation.Fact|date=August 2008 KNEW (AM) transmits from towers at Point Isabel's western edge. [http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=155:3:16992104342005615925::NO::P3_FID:1664890 USGS] , Information System, access date August 10, 2008]

Current overview

The peninsula features the largest dog park in the county, part of the Point Isabel Regional Shoreline. It also features a large Costco wholesale retail big box store. The northern end of Eastshore State Park and also the US Post Office Bulk Mail Center for San Francisco [http://www.usps.com/bulkmailcenters/officeinfo/sanfrancisco.htm] . The area is served by AC Transit routes 52L and L.

Kohl's

A 2008 proposal to add a 98,000 sq. ft. (9,100 m²) Kohl's department store on a site between the Costco Store and the Hoffman Marsh proved controversial. [http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_9431846?IADID=Search-www.contracostatimes.com-www.contracostatimes.com New Kohl's store proposed for Richmond] , by Katherine Tam, Contra Costa Times, May 30, 2008, access date August 8, 2008] Many residents are worried about potential negative effects on increased nighttime lighting that will make endangered birds more susceptible to predators and increased traffic along Central Avenue. The Richmond Annex Neighborhood Council has officially opposed the project. If built it would add 138 mostly part-time jobs and $250,000 to 350,000 dollars in annual revenues for the city of Richmond. The project would also add a 4-5,000 sq. ft. (372-465 m²) commercial space for a restaurant or second retailer detached from the Kohl's; however some residents believe it should be adjacent to the 2-story Kohl's building to minimize visual impact.

ee also

* Richmond Annex, Richmond, California

Notes