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City of Fort Bragg 2026 Economic Development & Mill Site Community Survey

The City of Fort Bragg is developing its 2026 Economic Development Strategy and working with Mendocino Railway and state partners on a long-term vision for the redevelopment of the former Georgia-Pacific Mill Site. This survey will help City Council understand community priorities, shape policies, and evaluate future investment and land use decisions. Your responses will help us strengthen our local economy and help guide Mill Site redevelopment to reflect the values and needs of Fort Bragg residents, workers, and visitors.

Thank you for sharing your views.

This survey takes about 5–8 minutes to complete. It is anonymous, unless you choose to share your contact information for project updates.

Contact: iwhippy@fortbragg.com | 707-961-2823
SECTION 1 – About You (Optional)
1.Age group (select one):
2.Where do you live?
3.Select the best description of your working situation.
4.Employment status:
5.Do you own or operate a business in Fort Bragg?
SECTION 2 – Fort Bragg Today
6.How would you describe Fort Bragg’s current economy?
7.What do you see as Fort Bragg’s biggest needs? (Select up to 3)
8.How likely are you to recommend Fort Bragg as a place to live?
Very Unlikely
Unlikely
Maybe
Likely
Very Likely
9.How likely are you to recommend Fort Bragg as a place to own a business?
Very Unlikely
Unlikely
Maybe
Likely
Very Likely
SECTION 3 – Business Culture & Values
10.Describe a characteristic of Fort Bragg’s economy or business community that you would never want to lose?
11.What do you see as Fort Bragg’s greatest economic strengths or local assets today? Select up to 3

(What makes this a unique place to live, work, or do business?)
12.What challenges or barriers do you or others face when starting, running, or growing a business in Fort Bragg?
13.Based on the challenges above, where should the City focus its efforts to best support local businesses? (Optional)
14.What types of City provided support or incentives would most help local businesses thrive? (Select up to 3)
15.Looking ahead, what is your vision for Fort Bragg’s economy in 2035? (In a few words or a sentence: how do you hope the community will look and feel?)
SECTION 4 – Mill Site Redevelopment

The City and Mendocino Railway are collaborating on rezoning approximately 300 acres of the former GP Mill Site for future development. Key concepts under consideration include housing, job centers, open space, coastal trails, recreation, and visitor amenities.
16.How familiar are you with the Mill Site planning effort?
People hold different views about growth and development:
17.What do you see as some of the pros of adding new housing or job centers on the old Mill Site?
18.What do you see as the potential risks/cons of adding new housing and job centers on the Mill Site?
19.Overall, what impact do you think redevelopment of the Mill Site would have on Fort Bragg’s economy?
20.Please explain your answer above (optional)
21.Which types of new uses of the Mill Site are most important? (Select up to 4)
22.What is your reaction to the following specific development concepts for the Mill Site:
Like
Neutral
Dislike
Not Sure
Electric trolly connection from the Mill Site to Glass Beach
Pedestrian-friendly extension of downtown onto the Mill Site
Hotel/ conference center near Otsuchi Point (Redwood Avenue Extension)
Dedicated outdoor event space for festivals and community events
23.Even if you generally support redevelopment, what concerns would you want the City to manage carefully? (Select up to 3)
Not Concerned
Somewhat Concerned
Very Concerned
Traffic & congestion
Increased demand on housing, services, or infrastructure
Loss of small-town character
Impacts on existing local businesses
Scale or pace of development
Environmental impacts
Level of cleanup of Mill Site contamination
24.What aspects of Mill Site redevelopment excite you the most? (Select up to to 3)
25.Should the items you selected be delivered gradually during the project, or all together upon project completion?
26.Are there any uses you do NOT want to see on the Mill Site?
27.How important is it to prioritize “blue economy” jobs and businesses (such as sustainable ocean-related tourism, fisheries, marine research, aquaculture, and coastal innovation) as part of future development on the Mill Site?
Not important
Neutral
Somewhat important
Very important
SECTION 5 – Environment & Resilience (Mill Pond/Pond 8)

The Mill Pond (also known as Pond 8) is subject to ongoing environmental oversight and cleanup requirements overseen by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). Cleanup alternatives, costs, and schedules are still under review and will be subject to regulatory approvals.
28.How important is creating and maintaining a natural open space and wildlife habitat around the Mill Pond (for example, wetlands, improved water quality, wildlife habitat, and nature trails)?
Not important
Neutral
Somewhat important
Very important
29.How important is public access through the Mill Pond area to the beach?
Not important
Neutral
Somewhat important
Very important
30.How important is it to daylight the Maple Creek culvert on the Mill Site to create a creek-related public amenity, subject to environmental and regulatory review?
Not important
Neutral
Somewhat Important
Very Important
The Mill Site includes areas that have already been remediated according to State Regulators, as well as areas (including the Mill Pond) that remain subject to future cleanup. How do you feel about the following general approaches?
31.Proceed with development (such as housing, jobs, and public amenities) on areas of the Mill Site that require no further remediation, while cleanup work continues on the Mill Pond and other remaining areas under regulatory oversight.
32.Pursue cleanup of the Mill Pond to meet local, state and federal requirements before developing the Mill Site.
Note: Cleanup decisions are governed by regulatory agencies and environmental law; this question seeks to understand community values related to tradeoffs.
33.Looking ahead, which outcomes would you most like to see associated with the Mill Pond area, once cleanup is completed? (Select up to 3)
34.Do you have any specific concerns, priorities, or ideas related to the future of the Mill Pond area, recognizing that there may be restrictions due to the regulatory cleanup process?
SECTION 6 – Final Thoughts & Updates
35.If you could give one piece of advice to the City Council as it works on the future of the Mill Site, what would it be?
36.Would you like to receive email updates about this project?
37.If yes, please provide your email (stored separately from survey responses):
38.Name (optional):