Balloon Tract: “It’s Time To Build”

Security National foresees final public review stage this summer

Humboldt Sentinel
3/15/09
By Sentinel Staff

EUREKA -- According to the would-be developers of the Marina Center, sited on top of the remains of the Union Pacific train depot on the Eureka Waterfront, the current economic crisis is no impediment to their plans.

Information on ground-breaking at the Balloon Tract will be the primary focus of a speech and a question-answer session for Security National vice president Randy Gans when he appears at the Eureka Republican Women Federated meeting on Thursday, March 19.

Gans, who reports directly to Security National head and ex-billionaire Rob Arkley, has been involved with the project since its inception in 2002. His stated topic is “The Marina Center -- It’s Time To Build” and in this speech, Gans intends to espouse the premise that the final state of public approval will be reached early this summer.

The Marina Center proposal for a mix of commercial and residential development has drawn fire from environmental organizations for its “capping” of industrial pollution on the site.

Currently the 550-plus page document of the project’s environmental impact report is in public circulation, but will return to the Eureka City Council for another round of public hearings this spring.

The ERWF now meets at the Elks Lodge, 445 Herrick in Eureka, where members, guests and interested persons gather at 11:30 a.m. for a buffet lunch, including coffee or tea, for $12.50, including tax and tip. For those only wishing a beverage and to cover the speaker fee, the cost is $4. The ERWF also asked in their release for attendees to bring a postage stamp to mail a letter to President Barrack Obama.