Nestled on the waterfront at the foot of the San Francisco Bay Bridge, Emeryville has been a central part of Northern California commerce for more than a century. A sense of pride and innovation pervades this lively community with its thriving retail, entertainment and business centers.
Emeryville's temperate climate, diverse cultural attractions, and world-class bayside setting offer a quality of life that is unsurpassed.
The City of Emeryville was first developed by Joseph S. Emery of New Hampshire who in 1859 bought a 185 acre tract of land along what is now Park Avenue and began selling lots. In 1868, he built a large Victorian mansion at Park and San Pablo Avenues, where the Promenade retail center and Long's drug store is now located.
In 1903, a new Town Hall was built on Park Avenue at the corner of Hollis Street. Remodeled in 2000, today it houses City offices.
Originally a northern suburb of Oakland, Emeryville became a city in its own right largely through the efforts of businessman Joseph S. Emery.
Emery came to the Bay Area in 1850 looking for gold, but eventually started a stonework contracting business in San Francisco. In 1859, Emery purchased a 185-acre tract of land north of Oakland and began to develop projects in the area.
In 1871 Emery financed the construction of the San Pablo Avenue Horse Cart Railroad, which connected Oakland to Emeryville. He was also one of the primary builders of the California-Nevada Railroad, which began in Oakland, crossed the burgeoning Emery Tract, and terminated in Orinda.
A community began to develop around the Emery Tract, and the town of Emeryville was officially incorporated in 1896, taking the name of its founder. The Emeryville town hall was completed in 1903, and still stands today. Emeryville's City Council and staff moved back into the original town hall, located at 1333 Park Avenue, in June 2001. With the addition of 17,500 square feet, the new administrative building provides a large and convenient facility for city employees and the public.
Emeryville is a general law city, restricted to the exercise of powers specifically outlined in State general law. This is in contrast with a charter city whose broader range of powers are locally set by an original charter voted on by the city's electorate.
The City of Emeryville has a City Council-City Manager form of government. Under this form of government the Emeryville City Council is the legislative body responsible for setting City policy and adopting the City budget. The five City Councilmembers are elected at-large by the Emeryville electorate for four year staggered terms. Elections are held in odd-numbered years, with three Councilmembers elected in one cycle and two Councilmembers elected in the alternate cycle. Councilmembers must be electors of the City and must have been residents of the City for the year preceding the election. Every year, the five City Councilmembers select a Mayor and Vice-Mayor from among themselves. The City Councilmembers also serve as the Emeryville Redevelopment Agency.
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City of EMERYVILLE , CA general information
City of EMERYVILLE , CA chamber of commerce
City of EMERYVILLE , CA yellow pages
State of California official site