We are concerned citizens dedicated to protecting the character of Niles from overdevelopment that compromises the quality of life for all of us.
The Fremont City Council approved the Niles Gateway project on the old Henkel property with insufficient review and without fully considering and planning for the consequences and impacts on the neighborhood.
There are significant concerns, some of which are highlighted here:
- Environmental impacts to Alameda Creek and the Niles community,
- failure to adhere to the letter and spirit of the California Environmental and Quality Act (CEQA),
- disregard for the existing Niles Historic Overlay District guidelines,
- inadequate preparation and implementation of the contamination abatement process of the site.
In response, we as residents of the Niles District have brought a lawsuit to request a full Environment Impact Report (EIR) on this development. We ask for your support in this effort via donations to pay for counsel.
Please make checks payable to:
The Brandt-Hawley Law Group
Checks may be mailed to:
Protect Niles
P.O. Box 2838
Fremont, CA 94536-0838
We support development of this property, but believe that a project of this magnitude must be carefully planned and address any adverse impacts in a meaningful way An EIR will ensure that the development comports with the law vis a vis CEQA. An EIR will also help to facilitate a development that will benefit the neighborhood and be one that we can all be proud of.
The History of Niles:
Ohlone Indians lived in the area known today as the Niles Historic District for some 10,000 years. A Mexican land grant was awarded to Don Jose de Jesus Vallejo in 1841 and he built the state’s first water-powered grist mill near Alameda Creek. In 1869 a subdivision was platted and named Vallejo’s Mill. At the same time, the Central Pacific Railroad’s westernmost link of their transcontinental railroad was established here, and the depot was assigned the name of Niles in 1870. The Southern Pacific platted Niles in 1888, creating a one-sided railroad town. The Niles Canyon Railway runs steam engines today between Niles and Sunol, passing numerous old picnic grounds popular from the 1890s until the 1940s.
The small western town of orchards and nurseries (California Garden Nursery and Shinn Nursery) was greatly enlivened by the Essanay Studio setting up shop on Main St. from 1912-1916. Actors making Western-style movies in Niles and the nearby Niles Canyon included the immortal Charlie Chaplin and cowboy star and director Gilbert “Broncho Billy” Anderson. Their history and legacy lives on through the Essanay Silent Film Museum and Bronco Billy Pizza.
Today Niles is a working example of an American Main Street small town. This small town feeling and the historic local architecture that dates from the 1880s onward is treasured today by the town residents. The town is a consistent tourist draw unlike any other in the City of Fremont and we want to maintain that historical feel and integrity by practicing sustainable development.
Former Niles community efforts:
The community of Niles has faced threats of inappropriate development for decades. But the ongoing efforts of the residents of this small town have stayed those seeking to negatively change or profit from eroding the historic character of Niles.
The beautiful Mission-style 1930s Niles Elementary School located on 2nd Street was targeted by the Fremont Unified School District for demolition in 1997. Concerted efforts by the local community eventually overrode this decision and the school continues to grace our neighborhood.
The involvement of the community in the restoration of the four-block downtown town center and plaza in 2002 led to a revitalization of the shopping district and a new lease on life for the historic train depot and unused plaza.
The Art Deco Post Office on J Street was slated to be shut down in 2012, and again local residents came together to successfully preserve this community landmark and service.
In 2013, the plan for a widening of Highway 84 through Niles Canyon was successfully challenged by the residents and environmentalists via legal action to preserve the wildlife and forest surrounding the Alameda Creek from heavy construction and demolition.
The success of these efforts demonstrates how the local Niles community can come together to shape the town in a sustainable way with respect for the irreplaceable historical quality that remains at the core of this area.