We are disappointed to share that on Thursday, December 11, 2025, the Newark City Council voted 3-1-1 (3 in favor, 1 opposing and 1 abstaining) to approve the destructive Mowry Village development project, a proposal to build 226 housing units within the Newark baylands, on land in a flood zone, surrounded on three sides by creeks and wetlands.
In approving the project, supportive Newark City Councilmembers chose to ignore the strong opposition of over 750 Newark residents of the more than 3,000 residents from surrounding communities, over a dozen conservation and climate organizations and more than 40 Bay Area scientists who for years have urged Newark to prioritize protecting and restoring the city’s San Francisco Bay shoreline, as part of regional efforts to restore wetlands and prepare for sea level rise.
The Newark City Council majority also chose to ignore the strong concerns expressed by two of its own members, Vice Mayor Eve Marie Little and Councilmember Matthew Jorgens, who were vocal in expressing their concerns with the project. Councilmember Jorgens expressed dismay with the fundamental misrepresentations from the project developer. Vice Mayor Little expressed strong opposition to the project because of the financial risk of building housing in a floodplain, highlighting that this area had flooded just two years ago and it would be irresponsible for the city to approve building in such a vulnerable location. We thank both of them for their principled opposition, along with our many supporters and organizational partners who spoke out against the project at the Council meeting.
While cities all around the Bay work to restore wetlands, increase public access to the Bay, and advance nature-based solutions to sea level rise, it is beyond disappointing that Newark’s city leadership continues to move in the opposite direction over the wishes of its own residents.
Thursday night’s vote will not stop the Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge and our allies from continuing to oppose this project and work with our members and supporters in Newark to permanently protect and restore our baylands.
We know that with climate change, the resilience of our local communities and San Francisco Bay wetlands and wildlife depends on each city working together to prepare for sea level rise by protecting vulnerable baylands and advancing nature-based solutions, such as preserving and restoring wetlands to serve as flood buffers, while avoiding locating more people in harm’s way. The City of Newark’s approval of the Mowry Village Project does the exact opposite.
Just barely a year ago, the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) approved a major Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan, urging every city to do their part. Sadly, Newark’s City Council majority has demonstrated that we can’t leave it up to city officials alone to do what’s best for the Bay. It is up to all of us who care about the Bay to demand cities do the right thing, and state policy makers and regulatory agencies to hold our cities accountable.
Thank you for your continued support of CCCR and all of our partners in our efforts to Save Newark Wetlands, expand the Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge, and advance the long-term health and resilience of San Francisco Bay and all of us who depend on it. We will keep you updated on our efforts and future opportunities to take action.
Photo caption: An aerial image of the Newark Area 4 baylands, with the Pick N Pull auto scrap yard, where the Newark City Council just voted to approve to development of 226 housing units
