Measure X Defeated, but the Future of Sausalito’s Working Waterfront Remains Unsettled

The contentious Measure X working-waterfront zoning issue on the ballot in Sausalito appears to have been defeated by the town’s voters. While we opposed Measure X, its apparent defeat does not resolve the underlying issues that many on both sides agree need attention: What does a zoning update that protects and supports Sausalito’s working waterfront look like? Measure X succeeded in raising the visibility of the underutilized land along Sausalito’s waterfront and clarifying the issues that voters and boaters care about.

We wrote that neither yes nor no on Measure X was a good choice for Sausalito voters, but given that choice, voting no was the better option. This gives concerned Sausalito residents the ability to create a shared community vision, which we hope continues the marine heritage and opportunities that the working waterfront industry has contributed to Sausalito’s maritime culture. That means land dedicated to growing art, industry and marine-trade businesses that will contribute to a thriving waterfront while supporting affordable access for waterfront businesses, and public access to the Bay.

The Sausalito waterfront offers a unique ability to grow the Bay Area blue tech economy and support the marine trades that have been a growing focus for venture capital and federal, state and local support. The entrepreneurial dynamism that already exists on the Sausalito waterfront includes manufacturing, electric boats, electric charging stations, fishing and marine-trades classes, alongside numerous other innovative businesses.

Flooding caused by sea-level rise along the Sausalito waterfront remains another issue for which neither side had solutions, though both hope increased economic vibrancy will help generate tax revenues to fund the necessary upgrades.

Assuming the no vote holds, it still leaves the work of creating a thriving working waterfront ahead. Well-intentioned people on both sides will have to come together to create a plan that resolves differences and creates a vision for a thriving working waterfront that includes industry, diversity, amenities and tax revenues to preserve and grow Sausalito’s unique character and beauty on the Bay shoreline.