Focus On: Marin County



Marin County, largely known for its majestic sea coast and woodland areas, has one of the most stable populations in the greater Bay Area. Although growth is gradual, 32,550 new residents are anticipated by the year 2015.
The county's two largest and fastest growing cities, San Rafael and Novato, are predi cted to gain the highest percentage in population growth over the next 20 years. Between 1995-2015, Novato should grow by 11,500, and San Rafael is expecting 9,800 new residents. This growth should stimulate employment roughly 46% by year 2005. San Rafael will acquire the majority of manufacturing and wholesale employment growth, and Novato will garner the most retail job growth.
Novato will have the greatest percentage of household growth at 26%, unincorporated areas of the county will grow 23%, San Rafael 18%, Corte Madera 14%, Tiburon 13%, and Fairfax 11%.


Hamilton Army Air Base
The multi-owned Hamilton Air Force Base (HAAF), located near Highway 101 in Novato, is under going negotiations for its Reuse Plan. The plan calls for mixed use redevelopment on the prior airfield base site. In support of the Reuse Plan, the City of Novato is working with the Navy to negotiate the transferring of property to the City.
The HAAF's land is shared by the following owners:
1) the Navy - housing
2) the Army - runway
3) New Hamilton Partnership (NHP) - about 415 acres of open space;
4) Golden Gate Bridge Highway and
Transit District - railroad tracks; and
5) the Coast Guard - six acres of land.
If reuse progresses as planned, most of the Navy's military housing will be rehabilitated and affordable housing for the community will be considered. There is a strong possibility the Army- owned runway area will be converted back to wetlands. The plan for the NHP portion of land is to develop housing and commercial industrial office space.


Marin Homeless Programs
On October 14, Marin County's Homeless Program opened its doors to the "Hamilton Service Center" which will be operating through April 15, 1997. The shelter, an old renovated warehouse, is located on the sparsely occupied Hamilton Air Force Base.
The 80-plus bed shelter will provide the essentials such as shelter from the cold, food, and showers. The shelter will also host a variety of support services including: high school equivalency education (GED) classes; English as a second language classes; a job hotline; legal aid; money management; medical care; and drug and alcohol recovery.
The County intends to open a permanent shelter by 1997 or 1998. Fundraising is in progress to provide the $2 million required.
The shelter is one of six interrelated homeless programs administered by Homeward Bound of Marin.


Golden Gate Transit District's Toll Plaza Improvements
The Golden Gate Bridge is the vital link between Marin County and San Francisco. Since its six lanes cannot be easily expanded, the District has studied a variety of toll plaza modifications to improve traffic flow.
One modification underway is roadway surface improvements in the Toll Plaza area. Drainage and pavement rehabilitation of the 1,600 foot section of roadway, north of the Toll Plaza south to the 19th Avenue on/off ramps, began in September.
Work will be conducted between 8:00 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. in order to maintain the flow of commute traffic.
For more information on county transit, see http://www.goldengate.org.