Hercules Backs 'New', 'Smart' Waterfront

"The unanimous vote Tuesday - to push forward the Hercules Bayfront project consisting of more than 1,200 homes as well as restaurants, stores, offices and an intermodal transit center - does not spell an immediate end to years of stagnation on the waterfront."

"Much of the residential component won't be built until 2011 at the earliest, and then only if market conditions are opportune and there are no unexpected delays in obtaining federal, state and city permits, according to Ethan Sischo, a spokesman for developer Hercules Bayfront LLC."

"The plan approved by the council, for 42 acres of waterfront commercial land and almost 11 acres of open space, is conceptual, and its specifics will be subject to California Environmental Quality Act review and the city's entitlement process. The council vote also approved zoning and general plan amendments."

"Bayfront also will include an intermodal transit center with an Amtrak Capitol Corridor station and a ferry terminal connecting Hercules with San Francisco. When fully built out, Bayfront is supposed to have 1,224 residential units, 42,000 square feet of retail space, 81,000 square feet of offices and 134,000 square feet of "flex space" adaptable for a variety of uses."