The Port of West Sacramento and Equilon Enterprises D/B/A Shell Oil Products US have reached an agreement on the disposition of Shell’s petroleum tank farm facility in Pioneer Bluff. The deal outlines a creative public-private transaction which will allow Shell to phase out operations at the facility within the next 4 years, by March, 2021.

“This transaction is the next and biggest step forward so far in the planned de-industrialization of West Sacramento’s Pioneer Bluff District,” said West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon. “The Shell facility is one of four fuel terminals on both sides of the river which have been viewed as immovable obstacles to taking back this stretch of the waterfront to make a spectacular new district for life along the river. Building on the momentum of exciting placemaking in the Washington area and The Bridge District, as well as miles of trails along the riverbank, the agreement demonstrates West Sacramento’s resolve and leadership in creating great attractions and neighborhoods worthy of our region’s central natural asset.”

The demolition and clean-up of the six-acre Shell facility, which has been in operation since the 1940s, sends another strong signal to the real estate development community that the transition of the Pioneer Bluff district from legacy industrial operations to future riverfront mixed-use development continues to move forward.

“The Port of West Sacramento is pleased to collaborate again with the City of West Sacramento on another real estate transaction of mutual benefit related to shifting industrial uses off of the riverfront,” said Yolo County Supervisor and Port Commission Chair Oscar Villegas. “This agreement follows the relocation of the Cemex facility to the Port’s ship channel in 2008, and is an important first step toward relocation of all the fuel terminal facilities on the Sacramento River to more appropriate industrial locations in the region.”

The agreement provides a framework for Shell to phase out operations and to clean up all contamination on the property under the supervision of the Regional Water Quality Control Board. It also secures a strategic parcel which is located at the crux of future traffic and bike/pedestrian infrastructure including:

• Broadway Bridge
• River Walk trail extension
• Modifications to 15^th Street between Jefferson Blvd. and South River Road, including relocation of the railroad tracks leading to the Port of West Sacramento.

The Port is looking forward to partner with the City on future projects.