CenterPoint Warehouse Project Raises Environmental Concerns in North Richmond
Richmond, CA – A major warehouse development proposed by CenterPoint Properties is raising alarm among North Richmond residents, who fear the project will worsen existing health and environmental challenges in the area. The site, located at 506 Brookside Drive, spans 31.48 acres and includes three industrial buildings totaling more than 555,000 square feet of warehouse and office space.
What’s Being Built
Project highlights:
- Three buildings:
- Building 1: 225,956 sq. ft. warehouse + 12,989 sq. ft. office
- Building 2: 196,505 sq. ft. warehouse + 12,830 sq. ft. office
- Building 3: 98,332 sq. ft. warehouse + 6,982 sq. ft. office
- Building 1: 225,956 sq. ft. warehouse + 12,989 sq. ft. office
- Parking: 438 vehicle spaces and 266 trailer spaces
- Landscaping: Approximately 129,719 sq. ft.
- Site preparation: Removal of dead protected trees and grading of over 131,000 cubic yards of soil
The project was approved on May 25, 2022 and will merge 19 existing parcels into three. Planned improvements also include traffic calming measures along Fred Jackson Way and Brookside Drive.
What’s at Risk
Too Close for Comfort
The warehouse site is located within a mile of several sensitive areas:
- Verde Elementary School – 645 ft
- North Richmond homes – 2,500 ft
- Wildcat Creek – 1,100 ft
- North Richmond A’s Ballpark – 540 ft
These close distances have residents worried about the potential health impacts of living, learning, and playing so near to industrial operations.
Soil & Air Pollution
- Toxic soil: The site contains contaminated soil with arsenic, lead, and chromium, which poses serious health risks—especially to children.
- Air quality: Increased truck traffic and industrial activity are expected to worsen local air quality, which is already compromised by pollution from the Chevron refinery and other sources.
Asthma hospitalization rates in North Richmond:
- Males: 7.1 per 10,000 (vs. 3.6 countywide)
- Females: 9.3 per 10,000 (vs. 4.7 countywide)
These numbers reflect long-standing environmental burdens that could be worsened by this development.
More Traffic, More Problems
Traffic impacts from the project are expected to be significant:
- Fred Jackson Way & Brookside Drive
- Morning peak (7:30–8:30 AM): +311 vehicles
- Evening peak (4:30–5:30 PM): +554 vehicles
- Morning peak (7:30–8:30 AM): +311 vehicles
The surge in vehicles could lead to more congestion, air pollution, and safety risks for residents, especially children and seniors.
Despite proposed improvements, many in North Richmond remain concerned. With hazardous soil, increased emissions, and more traffic projected, the CenterPoint project raises urgent questions about environmental justice and the long-term health of the community.