Redwood City will get $5 million to construct the Redwood City Ferry Terminal after Assembly Speaker pro Tem Kevin Mullin requested funding for the project and others in San Mateo County from California’s budget surplus.
The surplus, estimated at $38 billion, presented an opportunity for legislators to request funding for local projects, “a first in my Assembly tenure,” Mullin said.
The $5 million will go toward the long-planned project to install a Water Emergency Transportation Authority ferry terminal in Redwood City. In October last year, Redwood City completed a Ferry Financial Feasibility Study & Cost-Benefit and Economic Impact Analyses for the project, projected at $21.9 million. Currently, a Business Plan is in the works that will in part demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of the system.
In a statement, Redwood City Mayor Diane Howard lauded Assemblymember Mullin for supporting the project.
“I look forward to the day that we stand together and officially welcome ferry service back to Redwood City,” Mayor Howard said.
WETA Executive Director Seamus Murphy said studies show the ferry project “will work, but it cannot happen without investment.”
“With congestion back and getting worse, expanding high-speed passenger ferry service to Redwood City will provide residents and workers with a fast, convenient alternative to driving,” Murphy said.
Other budget surplus funding secured by Assemblymember Mullin for local projects include $2 million to support the reconstruction of the Millbrae Recreation Center that was destroyed by fire in 2016; $7.75 million for the Esplanade Infrastructure Preservation Project in the City of Pacifica; and $500,000 to repair and replace damage to the Pacifica Municipal Pier, a joint request with Sen. Josh Becker.
