The historic Craneway Pavilion in Richmond, California, may soon reopen after months of inactivity. A new agreement between the city and Orton Development aims to transfer management of the 45,000-square-foot venue back to city officials. This comes after an unsuccessful attempt to establish a pickleball club in the pavilion, which faced community pushback and regulatory hurdles.
Negotiations Underway for City Management
Former City Attorney Dave Aleshire revealed that discussions have been ongoing for months regarding the city assuming control of the property. Sue Wilson, the District 5 Councilmember, expressed her gratitude towards Orton Development and its founder, Eddie Orton. In a recent newsletter, she highlighted the firm’s decision to donate the venue to the city as a commendable gesture, noting that Orton had other options for utilizing the space.
The Craneway Pavilion, which features expansive views of the San Francisco Bay, is part of the historic Ford Assembly Plant. Orton Development has leased the property from the city since 2004 for a nominal fee of $1 per year. Over the years, significant investments have been made to renovate and maintain the site, according to Aleshire.
In an email, Orton refrained from commenting on the specifics of the transaction. Aleshire clarified that Orton Development proposed surrendering the pavilion to the city months ago and that negotiations have been amicable since then. “Orton himself said he put a lot of money and energy into this, and he felt it was an asset that could be most appreciated by the city,” Aleshire stated.
Community Concerns and Future Events
The discussions surrounding the future of the Craneway Pavilion intensified in 2023 when Orton Development, in collaboration with PB Development Group, aimed to launch a pickleball club on the premises. While many pickleball enthusiasts were thrilled about the potential for indoor courts, others voiced concerns that community events—such as arts and crafts shows, roller derby, and the Rosie the Riveter festival—might be displaced.
The State Lands Commission, which shares oversight of the property, informed the city that the proposed pickleball club did not comply with existing use agreements. These agreements limit the property’s use to overnight accommodations, restaurants, water-related industries, and visitor-serving retail, among others. Despite this guidance and some public opposition, city officials were unable to prevent the opening of the pickleball courts.
Ultimately, the courts closed to the public in June 2023 amid a dispute over unpaid rent between Orton and PB Development Group. Councilmember Wilson, who played a role in organizing protests against the club, emphasized the need to preserve the venue for the community. “Laying down courts in that space meant it could no longer be used for the dozens of public events that many Richmonders loved attending,” she explained.
Looking ahead, the exact future of the vacant space remains uncertain. Wilson hopes the pavilion will reopen in time to host the city’s Fourth of July celebrations this year, after being closed for the holiday last year.
Before the city can take full control or find a new operator, an evaluation of the property is necessary to assess the extent of the responsibilities involved. Aleshire noted that inspections began this week. In November 2023, the city council approved a contract worth $169,500 with consulting firm RDH Building Science to conduct this assessment.
If an agreement between the city and Orton Development is reached, the draft could be presented to the City Council in January or February 2024. Should the council approve the deal, a 90-day escrow period would commence, with Orton Development continuing to manage most of the property, excluding the event space. Aleshire emphasized the potential of the site: “It could be one of the most significant sites in the city. It’s basically the opening of the Bay that could be enjoyed by the whole community if we can find the right use.”
