Closure smells like greed

Having just read the front page article re the pending closing of the Mare Island Sports Complex, I am extremely disappointed.

This news is a major blow to both Vallejo’s youth and adults. It smells of developer’s greed. Pulling back the curtain, this appears to be a typical strategic move of the developer playing the safety card, so they can most likely tear down the building and build something, or perhaps use the land for part of a larger development to make millions more dollars — more than the millions they already are going to make on Mare Island.

If the building really was that much of a safety issue, it would be red-tagged immediately, but Nimitz waited until they got farther along in their plans, probably knowing that the city would be hesitant to stop their proposed developments, for fear of losing the potential tax revenues. Funny how they’re not worried about any earthquakes between now and May 1!

The City of Vallejo — yes, you Mr. Mayor and City Council — should not allow the Nimitz Group to proceed with any of their projects on Mare Island unless they agree to retrofit the Sports Complex immediately, and allow the GVRD to continue leasing it as a Sports Complex. It is not uncommon to make it a condition for developers to build a park or fire station etc. as part of a major development.

How many articles have we read in this paper about how there would be less crime if youth had a place to participate in constructive activities? Now there is a great place that has much success, and a developer is going to say it’s a safety hazard? What’s more important to Vallejo’s citizens: A well-used sports complex enjoyed by thousands of youth, or a bunch of soon-to-be-built new cartoon-looking buildings?

Where does Vallejo begin to draw the line on developers taking things away? It can’t always be only about the environment — i.e., a cement plant. What about our culture? I have visited the Sports Complex on many occasion, and it’s great to see everyone from all backgrounds getting along and enjoying themselves.

We lost a golf course 35 years ago, but gained a nice amusement park. We are about to lose another golf course (Blue Rock). Do we now lose our Sports Complex, too? Will the city step in and do what’s right? Will the Nimitz Group do what’s right?

— Tom Quinn/Benicia