Let Martinez remain true to itself

By William H. "Bill" Wainwright

Self-interested proposals are being made for the "revitalization" of Martinez. They call for high-density housing downtown. A better way to serve the entire community is to return Martinez to its vocation as a destination.

Except for their specialty needs, people don't shop in small towns any more, even if the store happens to be right next door. Prices will always be lower and the selections greater at the shopping mall passed every evening on the way home from work.

All across the country off-the-beaten-track "old townes" have succumbed to expanding suburbs. And Martinez is definitely off the beaten track, for major topographical reasons: our high hills to the west, river to the north, narrow valleys to the south and by the buffer of the Shell refinery to the east.

Although our physical isolation has led to decline downtown, the quality of life in Martinez is far better than that of our neighboring, traffic-bound towns. Our pace of life is slower and our crime rate lower in large part because of our remove from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

Still, over the past ten years alone, downtown has lost a major grocery store, the only remaining drugstore, an important clothing store, and a fine stationery. We need these back.

What to do?

The answer is not high-density housing projects that would destroy our small town character. That character will be our salvation. In their rush to and fro to get their shopping done, our suburban neighbors are beginning to discover the appeal of quaint, quiet and historic places like Martinez.

The answer lies in Martinez remaining true to itself, in emphasizing its unique assets, beautiful setting, unmarred hills and a scenic waterfront, historic buildings and Victorian-style homes, and history.

By polishing these assets, Martinez can become what it once was, an attraction for people from the wider area. They will come on the weekends and even during the week to shop and dine where it's safer, nicer, quieter, quainter.

City leaders and staff have crucial role to play. They need to work on asset polishing by enforcing building codes, promoting tasteful infill housing, seeking grants to help property owners restore their storefronts to their original look, encouraging home owners to spruce up neighborhoods, keeping our streets and park facilities clean and in good repair, developing walking trails, supporting our historical society, and offering intelligent advice and help to our commercial property owners on how to attract the kinds of restaurants and shops that would do best in this attractive place we have thus far managed to preserve.

Yes, a pro-active approach by qualified city staff is needed to identify the specialty retail businesses with potential regional appeal that would do well in Martinez. We have a few exemplary successes downtown, entrepreneurs who have done it on their own and shown the way: the excellent pastry shop, Le Gâteau Élégant, the fine lighting store, Lights of Diablo, and the successful custom race-car builder, Busby's Motorsports.

The establishment of the Willows Theatre downtown on a year-round basis would also bring a regular flow of people to the heart of town.

Our marina has been a disappointment for years, never operating on a business basis, losing money, not fully accounting for borrowed funds, and most of all not meeting the needs of the region's boating enthusiasts. Its efficient operation, with a fine well-situated Italian seafood restaurant, would be a good way to start the movement of people back to Martinez as a destination.

Opening up "snake road," the scenic drive along the river between Martinez and Port Costa, would do wonders for our attraction as a regional tourist destination.

If elected, I pledge to work on all these fronts. I would also cooperate with Martinez school authorities to seek ways to reopen Martinez Elementary. Unfortunately, its closing several years ago took out a large chunk of vitality out of our downtown.

Bill Wainwright