Sausalito’s Waterfront Deserves a Future Worthy of Its Past
Help shape our waterfront's future.
For the first time in 40 years, Sausalito voters have a choice:
Renew our waterfront—or allow the decline to continue and pay for it later
This November, a citizen-led initiative created by Sausalito residents will be on the ballot:
The Arts, Industrial and Maritime Preservation & Improvement Initiative
(AIM)
Vote Yes for AIM on the November 3, 2026 ballot
AIM lets our working waterfront work—giving local businesses room to reinvest, grow and generate more city tax revenue for infrastructure repairs, while reducing the pressure for higher taxes on residents.
“The reality is our waterfront infrastructure is aging and deteriorating because current rules have made reinvestment extremely difficult.
AIM will help create a path to rebuild infrastructure, address sea-level rise, and support a vibrant working waterfront.”
— Jim Madden, owner of Sausalito Yacht Harbor
A 1985 law is holding back our waterfront.
It may have served its purpose then. But it’s forty years later, and times have changed.
Have you seen parts of our waterfront lately?:
Flooded streets
Fields sitting empty
Storage lots full of old RVs where studios and workshops could be
Tens of millions of dollars in infrastructure repairs with no way to fund them
This law is Ordinance 1022, which voters passed in 1985.
Forty years ago, these rules might have made sense. Today, they prevent us from addressing the economic, infrastructure, and environmental realities of our time.
The only way to change it is by a city-wide vote.
The Way Forward
The Arts, Industrial & Maritime Preservation and Improvement Initiative
(the AIM Initiative)
On the Ballot this November 3, 2026
The Vision
Our waterfront is special — where Liberty Ships were built during WWII and artists, makers, and creators still work alongside boat builders and skilled tradespeople.
AIM is designed to water these creative roots to cultivate a dynamic ecosystem where artists, makers and maritime businesses, as well as the whole community can thrive.
Other working waterfront towns similar in size to Sausalito like Port Townsend, Washington; Newport, Oregon; and Belfast Harbor, Maine, have shown that this kind of vision can succeed.
Of course, Sausalito is one of a kind — and AIM gives our waterfront the creative freedom to evolve, innovate and thrive in its own salty way.
“The waterfront’s infrastructure has been eroding for the past 40 years because there has not been the money to repair it.
The Marinship generates about $10,000 per acre in tax revenue — compare that to about $70,000 per acre in our downtown commercial district.
The AIM Initiative is the first real chance in decades to unlock the full economic potential of the Waterfront, without sacrificing what makes this place special.”
— Ray Withy, former two-term Mayor of Sausalito & AIM Initiative Proponent
"Maybe it's time to focus on what can happen at Marinship instead of what can't.”
— Marin IJ Editorial Board, "Sausalito Seems Ready for Marinship Changes”; May 28, 2026
What AIM Makes Possible
1. Frees fishermen to sell their fish, bakers to sell their bread, artists to sell their art.
Fishermen, bakers, artists, metalworkers — finally free to sell what they make, create, and catch, right where they work. Today, most can't because of outdated laws. This fixes that.
2. Supports more maritime jobs and opportunities.
From boat builders and welders to marine mechanics, electricians, artists, and skilled makers, AIM helps create the conditions for local businesses to grow and hire more workers.
3. Helps protect our waterfront from growing environmental risks.
Flooded streets, an 80-year-old sewer system, failing storm drains, and aging infrastructure are increasing environmental risks. AIM is one of the first big steps in decades to create the reinvestment needed to modernize infrastructure, build sea walls, and protect our waterfront community.
4. Allows more artist studios, maker workshops, marine workspaces
For 40 years, outdated rules have made it difficult to adapt underutilized lots and dilapidated buildings to meet today's needs. AIM encourages thoughtful reinvestment to create the workspaces maritime and industrial businesses need to grow and thrive.
5. Funds infrastructure repairs— without raising taxes
Streets flood at high tide. Repairs will cost millions. AIM is a major step toward starting to generate the revenue to fix it — and protect the shoreline from sea-level rise.
6. Builds a thriving waterfront ecosystem for all
Coffee shops and cafes alongside artists and maritime businesses — creating a dynamic, self-sustaining waterfront for all .
7. Creates more ways to get on the water
Kayak launches, water taxis, floating amenities, and maybe, even someday, a community saltwater pool.
8. Protects what makes Sausalito special
Creates a viable path to help fund long-term sea level rise adaptation and shoreline resilience for houseboat and waterfront communities. Excludes any new or additional uses that may displace the ICB Building or shipways at the historic Arques Shipyard. Excludes the downtown historic district, leaving its beloved character untouched.
9. Gives Sausalito the flexibility to shape its future
Routine land-use decisions return to normal city process — with full public input. The way every other town already works. AIM allows flexibility. If we don’t like how Sausalito is evolving over time, we can adjust the rules flexibly to adapt to what is being proposed. If we like it, we keep it; if we don’t, we change it.
10. Gives the vote back to the people of today
Gives the residents of today the same democratic opportunity as the residents of 1985 to decide our waterfront’s future.
AIM does not rezone for housing, hotels, or new offices buildings. It does not touch our historic downtown.
And within the Marinship, AIM expressly protects the ICB Building and the historic Arques Shipways.
The initiative states: 'No new or additional use may displace the uses at the ICB Building or at the shipways of the historic Arques Shipyard.' *
*You can find this on pages 5 and 215 of the initiative: sausalitothrive.org/initiative.
What AIM Does Not Do
Join Our Effort!
Every year without action means more businesses struggling, infrastructure damage and higher costs.
November 3, 2026 is our next chance.
The time for change is now.
Add your name to our list to help AIM pass this November 3, 2026.
Key Facts
The AIM Initiative (Arts, Industrial & Maritime Preservation & Improvement Initiative) is a citizen ballot measure that will appear before Sausalito, California voters in November 2026. It amends Ordinance 1022, a land-use law passed by Sausalito voters in 1985. AIM applies to the city's Industrial and Waterfront (Marinship) zones. It does not repeal Ordinance 1022, does not rezone any parcels for housing or hotels, and excludes the Downtown Historic District. The initiative is sponsored by Sausalitans for a Thriving Waterfront, a committee of local residents. Last updated June 2, 2026.
Proponent & Supporter Quotes
The volunteers and official proponents of the initiative are four Sausalito residents who together represent decades of civic leadership, deep planning expertise, and the next generation with the most at stake: former two-term Mayor Ray Withy; Planning Commissioner and land-use attorney Fred Moore; Aaron Nathan, father of two and tech entrepreneur, and Historical Society and Downtown Business Association board member and volunteer, Adrian Brinton;
“This initiative was developed thoughtfully and deliberately, and we believe it works for everyone. It protects our arts and maritime heritage while giving existing businesses more room to thrive, incentivizes property owners to activate unused parcels as studios and workspaces, and provides more waterfront amenities that residents can enjoy too. Our goal is a waterfront that's alive, inclusive, and built to last.”
— Adrian Brinton, a Sausalito resident and a key volunteer in drafting the AIM Initiative
“I moved to Sausalito to raise my family here and I want to stay for decades. But that means the waterfront needs to work for the next generation, not just the last one. The AIM Initiative is how we make sure this place is still thriving with its unique charm when my kids are grown.”
— Aaron Nathan, Sausalito resident, technology entrepreneur and AIM Initiative Proponent
“The waterfront’s infrastructure has been eroding for the past 40 years because there has not been the money to repair it. The Marinship generates about $10,000 per acre in tax revenue — compare that to $70,000 per acre in our downtown commercial district. The AIM Initiative is the first real chance in decades to unlock the full economic potential of the Waterfront, without sacrificing what makes this place special.”
— Ray Withy, former two-term Mayor of Sausalito & AIM Initiative Proponent
“Forty years ago Ordinance 1022 passed and has stymied and stagnated our town's ability to effectively engage in land use planning – it has locked in antiquated perceptions from a bygone era. As a community, we have an opportunity to update the rules governing our waterfront so that the businesses and people who depend on it can adapt and thrive for years to come.The AIM Initiative enables us to move forward with good planning decisions that benefit our town and its businesses and residents”
— Fred Moore, Sausalito resident, AIM Initiative Proponent, Sausalito Planning Commissioner, and real-estate attorney