Historic East Bay venue may reopen soon after being shuttered for months

RICHMOND — Months after a pickleball club in the Craneway Pavilion was shuttered, a deal between a major developer and Richmond could see the historic bayfront property reopened under city management.

City officials and Orton Development, the firm that operates the 45,000-square foot event space, have been in discussion for months about the city taking back responsibility for the site, said former City Attorney Dave Aleshire.

District 5 Councilmember Sue Wilson praised the firm and its founder Eddie Orton in a newsletter Thursday, in which she gave an update on the status of the discussions. The marina is in her district.

“Orton Development has other options for how to use the building, so donating it to Richmond is, in my opinion, truly generous. I appreciate that when he thought about the best future for the Craneway, Mr. Orton decided that putting it in the hands of Richmond residents would be the best choice,” Wilson said.

The Craneway Pavilion, a largely windowed venue looking out on the San Francisco Bay, is part of the Ford Assembly Plant, a historic industrial complex Orton Development currently leases from the city for $1 a year. Since leasing the property in 2004, the development firm has invested millions into renovating and maintaining the site, said Aleshire, who is still contracted by the city to conduct legal work.

Eddie Orton said in an email Thursday that the firm does not comment on transactions. Aleshire said the development firm proposed surrendering that portion of the property months ago as a gift to the city and the two parties have been in amicable negotiations since.

“Orton himself said he put a lot of money and energy into this, and there were other entities they could have offered it to, but he felt it was an asset that could be most appreciated by the city,” Aleshire said.

A debate around how the Craneway Pavilion should be used was sparked in 2023 after Orton Development and PB Development Group, a company focused on building out pickleball facilities and events, sought to launch a pickleball club in the event space.

Pickleball enthusiasts expressed excitement that indoor courts would be opening but opponents worried other community events that were once held at the site would be forced out like arts and crafts show, roller derby, the Rosie the Riveter festival and Fourth of July celebrations.

The State Lands Commission, which co-governs oversight of the property, advised the city that the pickleball club was not a permitted use at the Craneway, citing an agreement between the commission and city that limits use of the property to overnight accommodations, restaurants and cafes, water-related industry, museums regarding waterfront history, visitor-serving retail, boating and ferry service.

Despite the commission’s opinion, some community pushback and a protest of the club’s grand opening, city officials said they were unable to stop the pickleball courts from opening. Aleshire said they were also interested in working out a solution that would avoid a lengthy and costly legal battle.

The courts ultimately closed to the public last June amid a dispute over unpaid rent between Orton and PB Development Group, said Wilson, who helped organize the protest.

“As we explained to the hundreds of people who came to play that weekend, laying down courts in that space meant that it could no longer be used for the dozens of public events that many Richmonders loved attending. Figuring out a solution for the Craneway was already on my radar when I took office in January this year,” Wilson said.

What will come next for the vacant space is still unclear. Wilson said she hopes the venue will reopen in time to host the city’s Fourth of July celebration this year after sitting vacant last year.

Before the city takes on operation of the site or seeks a new operator, the property needs to be evaluated to help the city understand the extent of what they’d be taking on, Aleshire said. Inspection of the property started this week, Aleshire said. The council approved a $169,500 contract this past November with consulting and engineering firm RDH Building Science to conduct the assessment.

A draft agreement could come before the City Council sometime in January or February, and a 90-day escrow period would be triggered if the agreement is approved, Aleshire said. If a deal between the city and Orton Development is approved, the firm would continue to manage the majority of the property, aside from the 45,000-square-foot event space, Aleshire said.

“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,” Aleshire said. “I think we’re getting to a point that is likely the best outcome that is possible.”