_{Thumbnail photo by Paul Critz}

Projects to reconstruct Citizens Dock and replace an adjacent seawall have cleared environmental hurdles and are on track to begin in May, according to the Crescent City Harbor District’s grants consultant.

At a special meeting Friday, Community System Solutions CEO Mike Bahr told the Harbor Board that they can expect to see a contract from the U.S. Maritime Administration on their Wednesday agenda. This contract is associated with the 2022 Port Infrastructure Development Program grant that’s paying for the seawall replacement project.

It will be about 30 more days before the Harbor District Board sees the contract for the 2024 PIDP grant that’s paying for the Citizens Dock reconstruction, Bahr said. The Board of Commissioners has to officially commit to meeting match requirements for both grant programs in order for MARAD to release those funds, he said.

City Manager Eric Wier said plans to demolish the old Daly’s building and replace it with a development that includes affordable housing could be the key to revitalizing Crescent City’s downtown.

Councilors were enthusiastic about the proposal, especially when the developer, Community System Solutions CEO Mike Bahr assured them that the city would be protected should it not materialize and the state asks for its grant dollars back.

Bahr said construction would start on The Redwood Downtown development at 3rd and J streets in March or April 2027. His goal is to have a ribbon cutting about a year later. Bahr also assured councilors that the complex would align with its downtown masterplan.