The Eureka Chinatown Monument, as it will be called, is planned for the corner of E and First Streets on a patch of city-owned property that borders a parking lot. Amy Uyeki, member of the HAPI steering committee and head of the Eureka Chinatown Monument committee, told the Outpost that, after touring several potential sites identified by the City of Eureka, HAPI chose this site, in part, because of its proximity to what used to be Eureka’s Chinatown neighborhood.
“It seemed perfect,” Uyeki said in a phone interview on Wednesday. “Chinatown was not just limited to Fourth, Fifth and E and F [Streets], but was more spread out. … There were many Chinese businesses on First [Street], and then the warehouses where they put the Chinese people before they shipped them out to San Francisco are right on the waterfront. So, it’s really significant.”
The monument design includes a Chinese moon gate – a large, round archway that is a traditional architectural element used in many Chinese gardens. Uyeki said that the archway is meant to separate spaces, allowing people who walk through it to go “from one realm to another.” Additional plants and trees will be added to the surrounding space, including a ginkgo tree and a Chinese magnolia. Around the edge of the monument there will also be signs that display a poem written by Daryl Chinn .
The future memorial site, as it looks today | Photo: Stephanie McGeary
The memorial will also include a river design, with stone markers popping out of it – each marker representing a significant point in the history of the Chinese people in Eureka, and illustrating the increases and declines in the local Chinese population throughout the decades.
The first marker will represent when the Chinese came here in 1865, Uyeki explained, and the next shows 1885, when the Chinese population grew to one-tenth of the population of Eureka. Then after the expulsion, there was virtually no Chinese population. The last and tallest stone marker, Uyeki said, represents the present day and also the future.
“It’s aspirational,” Uyeki said. “It’s a hope that there will be more diversity and more welcoming people from different areas and what they can contribute to the richness of this area.”
HAPI has already completed several public projects bringing attention to the history of Eureka’s Chinatown neighborhood and the horrific Chinese Expulsion, including renaming the alley between Fourth and Fifth and E and F Streets “Charlie Moon Way,” in honor of Eureka’s legendary Chinese immigrant, and the addition of a large, colorful mural along the alley. The group has also hosted many walking tours through the historical neighborhood.
Once the memorial is complete, Uyeki said, future tours will be able to start at the mural and end at the memorial. In the future, HAPI also plans to raise funds to install informational signage throughout Old Town, so that people will be able to do their own walking tour.
With the project still in the early stages, it’s hard for Uyeki to predict when the memorial will actually be complete, but she said that HAPI is hoping to break ground on the project by the summer of 2024. HAPI is currently trying to raise all the funds it needs for the project, accepting donations on its website and through a GoFundMe campaign started last week. So far, Uyeki said, HAPI has raised about $125,000, half of its $250,000 goal.
Uyeki added that she is very excited about the memorial, which she hopes will help beautify the area as well as educate tourists and locals about a part of our local history that has often been overlooked.
“We want children growing up here to know the story,” Uyeki said. “I’m excited that there has been so much community support and municipal support that the city’s been very generous with their time and has also been enthusiastic about the project.”
The City of Eureka’s plans to turn a 5.6-acre undeveloped lot into the city’s new corporation yard and operations complex are moving right along. During last night’s special meeting, the Eureka City Council unanimously approved the $1.4 million purchase of the property, located just off Hwy. 101 near Lost Coast Brewery’s brewing facility, from the owners of Ocean View Cemetery.
The city will move its existing corp yard – the site where it stores and repairs fleet vehicles and other equipment – from its current location at 945 W. 14th Street, near Costco, to the newly acquired site. The facility will have a maximum development footprint of 4.8 acres, which would include an operations building, warehouse and fleet maintenance shop. The complex will also include administrative offices to accommodate Public Works staff members who currently work at City Hall and the existing corp yard.
Site location map via City of Eureka.
City staff prepared an Initial Study (IS) and Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the proposed project, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). “The draft IS/MND concludes that with mitigation, no substantial adverse environmental impact will result from the proposed project,” according to the staff report.
During the public comment portion of last night’s meeting, Eureka resident Phyllis Cloy asked if the city had plans to sell or lease its current corp yard site to Costco, citing local rumors. Following public comment, City Manager Miles Slattery confirmed that there “have been previous discussions about that,” but said the city has not received “a letter of interest or anything like that.”
Councilmember Kati Moulton asked how staff would mitigate noise during the construction process and day-to-day operations, noting that the site is adjacent to the Ocean View Cemetery where there are “ceremonies and rituals happening on the property.”
Katie Marsolan, a special projects manager in the Public Works Department, said some noise mitigation measures were covered in the IS/MND and said staff have already discussed the issue with the cemetery. “That might be something that they would want to advise their customers about, that this would be ongoing as a new neighboring site,” she said.
Public Works Director Brian Gerving emphasized the city’s “desire to be a good neighbor … not just to the cemetery as an organization, but also to the folks who are there burying their loved ones.”
Councilmember Scott Bauer made a motion to approve staff’s recommendation and authorize the purchase of the property, which was seconded by Councilmember Leslie Castellano.
The motion passed 4-0, with Councilmember G. Mario Fernandez absent.
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Conceptual site layout for the City of Eureka’s proposed new corp yard and operations center. | Image via City of Eureka.
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The city council also received a presentation on the conceptual design of the operations complex from Scott Edwards Architecture. Brandon Dole, a project manager with the Portland-based design firm, went over the conceptual design of the new facility and the estimated budget for the project.
Dole | Screenshot
“We have a range [between] $30 million to $36 million,” Dole said. “The whole project team, including city staff and ourselves, have gone to third-party cost estimators, we’ve talked to contractors, we’ve looked at projects we’re building in the Portland metro area, and feel that this range is accurate with the information that we have in hand.”
Councilmember Renee Contreras-DeLoach asked staff if the city would be able to afford construction costs. Slattery acknowledged that “this [design] is definitely the Cadillac,” but said staff could look into a “high-end Toyota” option as well.
Bauer said he’s “more of a Tesla guy than a used Toyota” and encouraged fellow councilmembers to consider the long-term perspective.
“Thinking long-term, this is our one shot of building something that’s gonna last that will handle expansion, and so I have a hard time trying to say ‘Let’s just throw something up,’” Bauer said. “But, thinking about the workforce … people are working remotely and do we really need space like we used to two to five years ago? It’s just something to think about when we’re spending millions of dollars, right? What do we really need?”
After a bit of additional discussion, Moulton made a motion to receive the report and direct staff to explore potential funding sources, financing options and proposed budget allocations. Bauer seconded the action.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As millions of people begin to venture out onto California’s busy roadways for the upcoming holiday, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is preparing to serve up its annual Thanksgiving Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP).
Beginning at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22, and continuing through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26, the MEP aims to reduce the number of crashes, injuries, and fatalities during one of the year’s busiest travel periods.
“Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and celebration, but the holiday is also associated with increased travel and a higher risk of traffic incidents,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “Our officers will be on patrol to take enforcement action as necessary and to provide assistance to motorists who are stranded or in need of help on the side of the road.”
During the MEP, CHP officers will be working to assist and educate motorists and enforce traffic safety laws throughout the state, actively looking for unsafe driving behaviors, including impaired or distracted driving, speed and reckless driving, and people not wearing seat belts.
Last year during the Thanksgiving MEP, 37 people were killed in crashes within the CHP’s jurisdiction. The CHP’s holiday enforcement effort also resulted in more than 8,600 citations issued to motorists for speed and seat belt violations. Additionally, CHP officers made 1,016 arrests for driving under the influence during the four-day period.
“Remember to prioritize safety as you travel during the holidays,” added Commissioner Duryee. “Observe speed limits, avoid distractions, and ensure everyone in the vehicle is buckled up. Responsible driving contributes to a happy and safe holiday.”
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service and Security.
Press release from Assemblymember Jim Wood’s office:
Assemblymember Jim Wood.
Sacramento, CA –Today, California State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) appointed Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg) as Speaker pro Tempore, effective immediately.
“I’m honored and humbled that Speaker Rivas has appointed me Speaker pro Tempore and thrilled to be working closely with Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry in her role as Majority Leader,” said Wood. “I will work hard to do my best work in the Assembly next year so that I may live up to the trust the Speaker has in me. I look forward to working alongside the Speaker to make sure the voices of Californians are heard in Sacramento.”
“Californians want their Assembly to run with efficiency and transparency, and Assemblymember Wood has the experience, temperament and ability to exceed their expectations,” said Speaker Rivas. “Jim is a strong leader who I know will work collaboratively with our caucus to get this body’s important work done.”
Wood has chaired the Assembly Health Committee since 2016. In this role, he has taken on the almost every entity within the industrial health care complex and worked to improve the quality of health care for Californians everywhere.
He took on a leadership role, working closely with Governor Newsom’s administration, to make the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) a reality one year ago. OHCA will guide the development of policies that will promote affordable, accessible and quality health care for Californians.
Wood has also supported the communities ravaged by wildfires and has fought to protect communities from dangerous wildfires, by improving statewide home-hardening standards and continues to fight for access to affordable insurance options in wildland urban interface areas. In addition, he continues his efforts to expand broadband access to rural communities across the state.
“This new challenge means a lot to me and I look forward to doing what I love, bringing my colleagues together to make the best policy decisions for Californians,” said Wood.
On 11/18/2023, at about 2:15 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the
area of the Fields Landing boat ramp south of Eureka for the report of a theft and assault.
Upon arrival, deputies contacted a 45-year-old male victim who reported he had been driven to
the location by a female acquaintance. The victim reported that, upon arrival at the parking lot, a
dark colored pick-up quickly approached them. Two, unknown male suspects, exited that vehicle
and brandished firearms at the male victim while they removed him from his vehicle. The
suspects then removed property from the victim and then fled the area, also taking the victim’s
vehicle.
Through investigation by the deputies, it was determined that the female acquaintance had
participated in the crime. The female was identified as 39-year-old Nicole Stockhoff of Fortuna.
On 11/19/2023, deputies responded to the Fortuna area where they located and arrested
Stockhoff with the assistance of officers from the Fortuna Police Department. Stockhoff was
transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where she was booked on the felony
charges of carjacking (PC215(A)), robbery (PC211), and conspiracy (PC182(A)(1)).
At this time, the victim’s vehicle is still outstanding. That vehicle is a gray, 2002, Toyota Tundra
with California license plate 27989P2. If anyone sees this vehicle, please do not approach the
vehicle and contact the HCSO or your local law enforcement.
This case is still under investigation.
Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the
Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707)
268-2539.
Anyone in need of a pre-Turkey Day infusion of joy? If so, then feast your eyes on the happy faces and creative costumes featured in today’s Thanksgiving parade organized by Gaining Ground, a day center for adults with developmental disabilities.
The crowd gathered at the gazebo at 11 a.m. and set off on a route up and down 2nd Street. Their mission? “Sharing our Thanksgiving cheer.”
Welp, the rumors are true. Avelo Air confirmed this morning that the carrier will be canceling its direct route between the Humboldt County Airport and Las Vegas’ Harry Reid Airport, effective Jan. 8, 2024.
“We have made the difficult decision to cancel the ACV-Las Vegas route,” Avelo Air spokesperson Courtney Goff wrote in an email to the Outpost. “Customers can still book for Christmas and New Year’s. All customers have been contacted and have been given their options for refunds, rescheduling to before the end date and more.”
The Outpost contacted Cody Roggatz, Humboldt County’s director of aviation, on Tuesday afternoon after we received a few messages about the rumored cancellation from our readers, but he said he had not been informed of the route’s closure.
Avelo canceled direct air service between Humboldt and Sin City in April 2022, just six months after the route was opened. The airline reinstated service five months ago but the route was “not utilized enough,” Goff said, and “future bookings were low.”
What does this mean for the route to Burbank, you ask? Avelo says the direct route is “still going strong,” noting that flights are available for booking through April 2024.
“We are looking at new opportunities and cities to potentially add to ACV in the future,” Goff added. “We are still working closely with our area partners and will continue to be involved in the community to strengthen awareness for future growth opportunities.”
One door closes, another opens, right? Maybe we’ll finally get that direct route to Portland or Seattle that we were teased with last year. One can dream!
[Note: This post has been updated to correct the effective date.]
