Vallejo looks to revitalize waterfront as new plan targets shipbuilding, economic growth

VALLEJO, Calif. (KGO) -- The city of Vallejo launched a plan Thursday night aimed at revitalizing the city's economy -- and it begins with dozens of new ideas to bring life to its waterfront.

Most nights, you can find Jesse Patrick and his wife, Jen, down on the Vallejo waterfront.

"The best thing about Vallejo is this waterfront, and it's underutilized as it is," Patrick said.

The pair have lived nearby for 15 years and say this place is a bright spot in a city that's been plagued by problems.

"I think the people with disposable income in this town don't spend it here. They go to Napa, go to Berkeley," Patrick said.

MORE: Vallejo residents want Gov. Newsom to send officers to city amid police shortage, rampant crime

But instead of Napa or Berkeley, city officials like Nalungo Conley want people to stay here.

One reason, she says, the city has unveiled its new maritime revitalization plan.

A comprehensive report lays out 27 different strategies designed to fundamentally change Vallejo.

"Jobs that focus on shipbuilding, defense, innovative tech, healthcare advancements," said Conley.

The hope is to reinvigorate the city's economy and bring it back to its glory days as a center for invention.

Vallejo has been losing jobs in industries like shipbuilding since the end of World War II.

MORE: Mare Island Dry Dock in Vallejo facing layoffs after losing large US Coast Guard contract

But with this new plan, the city is hoping trends like that could finally be reversed.

As the city has struggled, many Vallejo residents have had to find jobs elsewhere. Damaging not just local industry, but also local pride, says people like Ricardo Gonzalez.

"There's a lot of potential here. It just goes unseen. But it takes living here and experiencing it to know," he said.

While the plan mainly focuses on Vallejo's economic development, Conley says the benefits will be spread across the region.

The city is still working out some funding and a concrete timeline, but is optimistic about the future.