McKinleyville: On the Move
McKinleyville: On the Move
McKINLEYVILLE – There was an air of optimism at the annual State of McKinleyville forum Jan. 29 as presenters discussed numerous projects underway to improve the town’s economy, increase housing and offer more recreational opportunities.
Some of the highlights included the potential for housing and retail development in the McKinleyville Town Center, creation of a McKinleyville economic development strategy, completion of a BMX park and the expansion of the McKinleyville Skate Park.
About 100 people filled Azalea Hall for the 10th annual event, sponsored by the McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce.
“This community rises up to meet challenges with grit and compassion,” Fifth District Supervisor Steve Madrone told the crowd.
Will Franklin, executive director of the North Coast Small Business Development Center (SBDC), said that while there is complexity and uncertainty in the world, he has data which suggests that there are some positive economic trends.
According to a chart that Franklin showed to the audience, the number of loans provided by the SBDC to clients went from 48 in fiscal year 2023-24 to 50 in 2024-25, with the amount increasing from $3.1 million to $10.4 million.
“That allows them to hire and create jobs,” Franklin said. The SBDC clients created 47 jobs in 2023-24, and 133 jobs in 2024-2025.
“So things are happening in Humboldt County,” Franklin said.
In the days leading up to the forum, Madrone said he walked from business to business on Central Avenue, knocking on doors and checking in with owners.
The owners told him that January is generally a slow month for sales, and Wednesdays in general are slow. One of the biggest challenges businesses face is competition from online sales.
Not only do the non-local online sales hurt Humboldt businesses, but they also hurt public agencies that depend on sales tax, Madrone said.
“If you think it’s cheaper, I’m telling you it’s not,” Madrone said. That’s because, in the end, locals have to vote to tax themselves to fund local services that would otherwise get funded with sales tax that goes out of the area with online sales.
One of projects that may boost local retail sales is the future development of the McKinleyville Town Center along Hiller Road and behind the McKinleyville Shopping Center. Humboldt Commons is planning to build a 100-unit housing project along Hiller Road.
As for the rest of the land, the timeline is uncertain. Madrone said it would take 20 to 30 years.
The McKinleyville Town Center plan, approved by the Board of Supervisors last year, calls for multi-story buildings, with residential units on the top floors and retail on the ground floor. Madrone said that the people living in the town center will also shop there.
Madrone said he’s also excited about the work of the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee’s Incorporation Exploration Subcommittee. Late last year, the effort received a $50,000 grant to fund an initial feasibility study.
“Let’s get the data,” Madrone said. “Let’s see the pros and cons.”
Another project that Madrone said has the potential to boost McKinleyville’s economy is the creation of a park at the Vista Point off U.S. Highway 101 west of the airport.
The Vista Point, owned by Caltrans, is only accessible to southbound motorists. Madrone is proposing that county owned property just south of the Vista Point be developed into a park, which would be accessible to travelers in both directions via Airport Road.
Madrone said the proposed park would bring visitors to town who would shop locally and possibly seek lodging. Madrone said this could result in new hotels and other development in the nearby Airport Business Park.
McKinleyville Community Services District Parks & Recreation Director Kirsten Messmer gave an update on local parks.
The town’s newest park, which is still under construction, is the BMX track located on three acres off School Road near Washington Avenue. The $2.3 million park will include a BMX track, a pickleball court, a playground and a half-basketball court.
The district still needs to find funding to pave the parking lot, build a bathroom and construct a second pickleball court.
Fund raising also continues for the second phase of the McKinleyville Skate Park at Pierson Park. Charlie Caldwell, president of the Humboldt Skatepark Collective, said that phase will cost about $250,000. So far, the nonprofit has raised about $28,000.
The existing skate park is about 5,000 square feet. Phase two would be about 6,000 square feet and would include double bowls that would extend west.
The forum was moderated by MCSD Director Scott Binder, who noted in his opening remarks that “One thing is certain – change is inevitable.”
