Huge New Waterfront Makeover Coming to the East Bay

Big changes are coming to the sleepy waterfront in Martinez. The East Bay city just gave the green light to start planning a massive new development that could totally transform the area into a destination spot. The early concept includes up to three hotels, a waterfront restaurant, an amphitheater for concerts, a new seawall, pedestrian paths, pickleball courts, a beach, and even potential ferry service. There’s also talk of a boat launch, retail spaces, and a new swim facility with indoor-outdoor vibes.

The plan is to breathe new life into the marina, which has struggled with flooding, storm damage, and worn-out infrastructure. Instead of patching things up, the city is going all-in on a long-term rebuild. They’ll develop about 22 acres out of the 70, mostly in spots that are already paved or used for parking. The hope is to turn the waterfront into a spot for festivals, fishing tournaments, and weekend hangs, while making it easier to walk from downtown to the marina.

This is just the beginning—planning, permits, environmental reviews, and construction could take 5 to 7 years. And yes, locals will get a say along the way. One big challenge? There’s currently only one entrance to the waterfront, which can get blocked by trains, so the city will need to figure out a better way in and out. Still, after years of sinking money into the marina just to keep it running, Martinez is betting big on a full refresh that could bring new energy (and maybe a ferry ride) to the waterfront.

Read more about the proposal

H/t: Local News Matters