Event Coverage

Realtors tour Redwood City Industrial Saltworks

Approximately 30 Realtors, many of whom are members of the San Mateo County Association of Realtors® (SAMCAR), toured the Redwood City Industrial Saltworks on Friday, Nov. 30, as part of an outreach program conducted by Cargill and real estate developer DMB Associates. Cargill is partnering with DMB to help identify potential uses for the 1,433 acres of prime land located in San Francisco Bay’s waterfront. They are seeking input from the 30,000 Redwood City households and community and business groups in the area.

Cargill Salt announced in June that it will end its 28 years of industrial salt production. The land located east of Highway 101 at Seaport Boulevard is used to produce higher grade refined salts utilized in foods and medicines that are made in the company’s Newark facility. Seamus Murphy, a representative of the Redwood City Industrial Saltworks, told SAMCAR Realtors it is no longer financially feasible for Cargill to continue its Redwood City operation, so the company is consolidating and moving to a newer facility in Mexico.

This vast piece of land which is about the size of The Presidio in San Francisco and nearly the size of Redwood Shores, has been utilized for salt production for almost 100 years. Cargill purchased the salt ponds and other lands by the waterfront in 1978 from Leslie Salt. Cargill is currently winding down operations and conducting its last salt harvest on the site.

Murphy said it could take about two years before a decision regarding future use of the property is made and it would also take some time to prepare the land for development. Right now, he said Cargill is merely seeking input from the community and interest groups.

“The level of clean-up will depend on use,” Murphy said.  “Environmental and biological surveys have been completed; the area has no risk of liquefaction, but the level of clean-up will depend on its future use. We have not fully explored it.”

“The question we’re asking different groups in the community is: What would you like to see happen here?” Murphy asked Realtors.

SAMCAR Realtors said they were glad the company was gathering input from the community and they were amazed at the amount of land that would available for other uses. Some said they expect much debate would ensue on what kind of development would be appropriate on the waterfront site – residential, industrial, parks, restored wetlands, or a combination.

“It was very interesting to see the extent of this area. I had no idea it was as big as it was. It will be sad to see the salt ponds leaving the area,” said Coldwell Banker Realtor Valerie Dohrenwend.

“I thought the tour was very impressive,” said Bill Curry of Access Financial & Real Estate Services, Inc. in Burlingame.  “I’m glad I came because it gave me a better sense of the size of land involved, and I’d like to have a role in whatever development takes place here.”

Curry said he was not leaning toward any specific type of the development, but he expects a portion would involve a mixed-use of residential and commercial. Whatever the type of development, Curry said he hopes it will be “functional, unique, provide a straight connection between Redwood Shores and Redwood City without having to use the freeway, and most of all, benefit the community.”

“I would like them to take the opportunity and put something here that is special, that draws people, that can be fun and generate revenue. We need something more unique than the standard office buildings,” said Curry.

He suggested a recreational use like an aquarium, in combination with mixed-use development, could provide a great attraction for the community.

Walter Moore, a broker associate with Cashin Company, indicated there are numerous opportunities for developing the site, but he also noted Cargill’s question will not be answered soon.

“It’s hard to say what this land could be,” said Moore. “It has a lot of potential, but it will be a few years before we will see anything on this site. There’s still a lot of work to be done.”

In the meantime, Cargill and DMB Associates, a nationally renowned real estate company known for its environmental sensitivity and new urbanist ideas, will continue to elicit opinions and suggestions from Redwood City’s residents by inviting small groups to tour the site and conducting surveys, forums, small group meetings and other public involvement opportunities. If the long-term plan involves a change from the site’s current industrial use, a proposal will be presented to the city and a formal public review will begin.

The San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® (SAMCAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 3,800 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula. SAMCAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in San Mateo County.

The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

For further information, please contact Julie Ziemelis, Director of Public Affairs, e-mail , or phone (650) 696-8214.

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