Skeptics of West Park rail project get say

West Side residents meet Kamilos, some remain leery of plan

By TIM MORAN
tmoran@modbee.com

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PATTERSON — West Side residents got a chance to talk to PCCP West Park LLC developer Gerry Kamilos face-to-face Wednesday night, and dozens did.

Opinions were still divided on the controversial project that could link the valley and Bay Area by short-haul rail.

Kamilos is negotiating with Stanislaus County on a master developer's agreement to convert the Crows Landing Air Facility southeast of Patterson and thousands of acres around it into a business and industrial park with the railroad link to the Port of Oakland.

On-going coverage: Crows Landing development

Many West Side residents oppose the project because of the disruption the additional trains through Patterson will cause, the loss of prime farmland and increased traffic congestion.

The 30-year plan would convert 4,800 acres into an inland port and industrial park, creating an estimated 37,000 jobs.

At Wednesday's meeting at the Patterson City Hall, booths were set up extolling various aspects of the proposal, from land use to job creation, the rail connection and environmental benefits. Kamilos and several West Park consultants were on hand to discuss the project.

Many residents who attended remained skeptical.

Retiree Jim Thorpe said he was worried what the added traffic would do to Sycamore Avenue, where he lives.

"I'm really concerned about what will happen. We move tractors on there, and pedestrians, bicycles. The projected 1,500 car and truck trips on Sycamore "seems hard to imagine," he said.

Kenny Buehner, who lives near Patterson, took issue with claims that the project would improve air quality. He asked how, if West Park generates the projected 141,000 vehicle trips a day at buildout, that could make air on the West Side more breathable.

"Maybe somewhere else," he said, "but not here."

Buehner also complained about added trains blocking emergency vehicles, and the nature and quality of the jobs West Park will generate.

West Park representatives say the project will improve air quality in the San Joaquin Valley by replacing truck traffic between Oakland and the valley with trains. Air pollution caused by trains and trucks around Patterson will have to be addressed in an environmental impact report, consultant Honey L. Walters said.

Not everyone was against the project. Jim Duran, a recently retired mechanic who moved to Patterson three years ago, likes the potential for jobs that West Park could provide.

"Who wouldn't want more jobs?" Duran asked. He said he hopes the development will bring higher paying jobs such as the ones he and his wife had in the Bay Area.

Jerry Gonzalez of Turlock said he left Patterson after high school in part because of the lack of job opportunities.

"I always wanted to come back. This project on its face is good for the area to bring higher paying jobs," Gonzalez said.

West Park officials will meet residents again today in Newman. The event will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at L.J. Newman Hall, 649 Orestimba Road.

Bee staff writer Tim Moran can be reached at tmoran@modbee.com or 578-2349.