HISTORY
A Century of Maritime Use

A long and colorful maritime history precedes the GHCA Maritime Service Harbor project at the foot of Napa Street in Sausalito .

1880s

Italian fishing families live at the foot of Napa Street and build their traditional feluccas on the beach.

1890

North Pacific Railroad map shows a shipyard at the foot of Napa .

Crichton and Arques lease the Oceanic Boatyard for their boat building operation. (Photo above, 1914)

1894

Original Napa Street Pier built as a dock for crab fishermen. Live-aboard barges serving as vacation getaways for wealthy San Franciscans in the waters adjacent to Sausalito .

1906

Live-aboard vacation getaways become full-time homes for San Francisco residents displaced by earthquake.

1936

The brigantine Galilee sets anchor at its current site as a residence.

(Photo above) View from the Galilee (1958)

(Photo above) The 1940's Marinship became a shipyard that constructed merchant "Liberty" ships and tankers. 70,000 workers were employed. the oakland Ship Building Company built barges at Napa Street and earned the Navy E Award for fast production.

1942

Napa Street marine railways is extended and, following the war, remains the only ways on Richardson Bay large enough to accommodate 300-ton ships.

1957

Cass Gidley establishes a major fish processing operation on the Napa Street Pier, including a fish market and fish-and-chips restaurant. He and his family live aboard the sailboat Tia Mia, which is tied to the Pier.

1960-early 1970s

Businesses operate from and around the pier. At the same time, people continue to live on houseboats, barges, mine sweepers and other craft tied up to the pier.

(Photo above) Fishing boats at the Napa Street Pier

1962-1963

Upland area of Mono Street becomes known as Tiki Junction, a center for arts and boat work. Houseboats and converted navy vessels tie to the bank near the Galilee . Arks anchor along underwater Mono Street .

(Photo above) Napa Street Pier, Boatyard, Tiki Junction, the Galilee (Sept 8, 1966)

1972

Bob's Boatyard established and many live-aboard residents work or start their own ships at the boatyard.

(Photo above) Bob's Boatyard. Construction of the Merriweather.

(Photo above 5/18/74) Whitefin is one of the last boats to be hauled out on the 300-ton marine railway at Bob's Boatyard.

1976

Artists and boatworkers who live aboard vessels on and near the Pier organize as the Napa Street Pier Co-op.

1978

Galilee Harbor Tenants Association evolves from the Napa Street Pier Co-op and assists the landlord in maintenance and upkeep of the shops and boatyard buildings.

1980

Bob's Boatyard and workships on the upland parcel are demolished, without proper noticing of tenants, by a developer who later declares bankruptcy. Tenants on Napa Street Pier band together and obtain restraining order to ward off further destruction.

Tenants on and near the Napa Street Pier incorporate as the Galilee Harbor Community Association, a nonprofit mutual benefit organization. Members begin campaign for approval of a work-live maritime habor.

Lawsuit resulting from longstanding controversy over title to the underwater portions of Napa Street is resolved in favor of the City of Sausalito . Negotiations between the city and GCHA lead to litigation.

1983

GHCA members work with the City in its development of Marinship Specific Plan. GHCA coordinates with various other county, state and local agencies to ensure that Galilee 's eventual relocation will be consistent with all policies and regulations.

Those agencies include BCDC, California State Coastal Conservancy, Trust for Public Lands and Southern Marin Land Trust.

Funding is granted from Marin County Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and the San Francisco Foundation to assist with relocation planning. GHCA is awarded CDBG funding each subsequent year through 1992.

1984

City-GHCA lawsuit is settled with agreement which commits City to helping GHCA find relocation site on Sausalito waterfront and commits GHCA to seeking City approval of a work-live maritime service harbor.

BCDC approves Richardson Bay Special Area Plan, recognizing GHCA as an existing community, which proposes to relocate on the Sausalito waterfront.

1985

GHCA submits application for conditional use permit and General Plan amendment to City, complying with settlement agreement deadline.

1986

With Marinship Specific Plan incomplete, and waterfront use issues unresolved, City denies CUP application without prejudice as to later application.

1987

With settlement agreement no longer in effect, Galilee Harbor community complies with City's demand to vacate the Pier. GHCA vessels are relocated about 30 feet north, to floating docks on leased, privately owned property, the present project site.

1988

In April, after four years of planning, the City adopts the Marinship Specific Plan, committing Galilee Harbor to maritime uses – industrial, commercial, arts and historic – and authorizing live-aboard use in conjunction with these uses.

In October, GHCA submits its second application for a conditional use permit, proposing uses consistent with the new Marinship Specific Plan. The Environmental Impact Report process is begun.

GHCA receives grant from Marin Community Foundation, disbursed for option on upland parcel of project site, prepayment on water parcel mortgage and planning costs.

1989

Ecumenical Association for Housing becomes financial agent for GHCA.

Galilee purchases water parcel of project site, with $25,000 down payment from funds saved by GHCA members, and options the upland portion of the site.

1990

In February, City certifies final Environmental Impact Report on Galilee project showing few significant natural resource impacts and none which cannot be adequately mitigated.

Also in February, BCDC staff advises GHCA that placement of fill requires a permit from BCDC and that live-aboard use of a boat constitutes fill. GHCA advises BCDC staff that local permitting process is underway, to be followed by an application to BCDC.

In May, after 15 public hearings, Sausalito Planning Commission unanimously approves the Galilee Harbor project.

In July, City Council unanimously approves permit for Galilee Maritime Service Harbor, subject to conditions emphasizing public access and affordability controls.

In December, the project, redesigned to comply with permit conditions, is submitted to the Sausalito Design Review Board.

1991

In April, City demolishes earthquake-damaged Napa Street Pier. To facilitate demolition, GHCA allows removal of its pile-supported buildings used for storage, laundry facilities and workshops.

In May, the Sausalito Design Review Board unanimously approves the project and BCDC files suit against GHCA and 52 individuals, alleging violations of the McAteer-Petris Act, seeking removal of GHCA property and individual vessels and seeking civil fines and penalties.

In July, GHCA and BCDC agree to stay litigation to enable GHCA to apply to BCDC for a permit for the Maritime Service Harbor project.

In September, GHCA submits applications for dredging and discharge permits from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Regional Water Quality Control Board.

In November, BCDC application is submitted. In December, BCDC Design Review Board holds first hearing on the project.

1992

Survey by Community Development Block Grant agency shows 92% of GHCA households are low income.

In January, GHCA receives Marin Community Foundation grant of $250,000 for property purchase and loan of $15,000 for planning and permitting costs.

In March, BCDC Design Review board holds second hearing on the project and makes several recommendations regarding public access. In July, Design Review Board determines that, with incorporation of a few minor public access modifications, the project will provide maximum feasible access

1996

BCDC settlement Agreement signed

1998

Construction loan secured with Marin Community Foundation

1999

Excavating & dredging begins

2001

Construction on Uplands begins

2002

Construction of Access Pier completed; Parking Lot done

2003

Docks constructed and installed; Navigation tests performed; berths occupied

2004

Public Access elements completed; Bathrooms completed