Dear Friends of Walker's Cafe,

In October 2025, the developer's plans for the Walker's Cafe parcel were heard at a City Planning hearing. We were hopeful, because we had the support of the Council Office. Dozens of community members showed up and also shared their concerns about the large mansion planned for the site. 

Months went by and we didn't hear anything. Then something really weird happened. A few weeks ago, one Walker's fan began to wonder what was taking so long. They poked around on the City Planning website and came across a decision letter, dated February 2026. They emailed us: Did we know about this?

We did not. In violation of the law, the City didn't notify anyone. The decision was hidden from the public until it was too late to appeal.

What makes this even more concerning: City Planning gave the developer the full square footage they requested for the large duplex directly behind the cafe. More than 3,500 sf.

After we got in touch, Planning admitted their “unforeseen administrative issue,” reset the clock and reopened the appeal period for community members to formally object to their decision. 

We teamed up with other concerned community members and filed an appeal, which will be discussed at the upcoming Harbor Area Planning Commission meeting next week, Tuesday, June 2, after 4:30 pm. It will be a hybrid meeting, on Zoom and at the East Wilmington Greenbelt Community Center 918 Sanford Ave, Wilmington, CA 90744.

Here's the compromise we're asking for:

1) A substantially reduced footprint for the residence.
2) A special planning condition, or “Q condition,” stating that the cafe must be kept operational.
3) Withholding building permits for the house until Prospect has made real progress on restoring the cafe. 

Please join us in asking for these important protections for the cafe. Send a support letter here (feel free to customize the template!)

More to come as we get closer to the hearing. We so appreciate your ongoing support.