City project
Cubberley Community Center
Long-term redevelopment and programming initiative for the Cubberley Community Center.
- Current status
- MOU authorization approved; further agreements and master planning directed, with a bond contemplated for November 2026.
- Location
- 4000 Middlefield, Palo Alto, CA
August 19, 2026: Funding and planning update
The City Council reached a deal with the school board, adopted a conceptual master plan, and placed Measure J on the November ballot. Measure J would increase the sales tax by one-half cent and is estimated to generate approximately $15.6 million annually.
Read related coverageJune 23, 2026 liaison update
A commissioner reported approval of the master plan, anticipated November sales-tax ballot activity, continued community engagement, and no expected tenant changes until at least the following year. Tenants also raised concerns about dedicated space during construction.
Read related coverageJune 8, 2026: Tax measure placed on ballot
Council placed a transactions and use tax measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot and adopted advisory guidelines stating an intent to use proceeds for PAUSD land acquisition and Phase 1 improvements if the measure passes.
Read related coverageMay 26, 2026 liaison update
A commissioner stated that a council update had reported substantial progress and said engagement would continue.
Read related coverageMay 18, 2026: Master plan adopted and ballot-measure direction approved
Council adopted the conceptual master plan and environmental document and directed staff to pursue ballot-measure funding. The plan anticipates phased implementation as funding and partner readiness permit.
Read related coverageApril 28, 2026 update
The final master plan and an environmental document were expected to be presented on May 18, and poll number four results were expected from staff on May 7.
Read related coverageApril 20, 2026 partnership and schedule update
Three additional prospective partners submitted letters of intent, bringing the reported total to five. The City is reviewing the letters for future Council approval.
Read related coverageApril 13, 2026: Cubberley Ad Hoc purpose updated
Council updated the Cubberley Ad Hoc purpose statement to reflect its current work and removed language suggesting operations funding and ballot-measure work might instead be heard by the Finance Committee.
Read related coverageMarch 24, 2026: Parks and Recreation Commission recommendation on Conceptual Master Plan
Staff presented Community Polls #2 and #3, the final draft conceptual master plan, and the Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration. The Commission recommended City Council adopt the master plan.
Read related coverageMarch 16, 2026 update
The Cubberley ad hoc group removed a parcel-tax option after polling indicated insufficient support for the required two-thirds vote, and planned a final poll on a general-sales-tax option.
Read related coverageMarch 11, 2026: PTC recommendation to City Council
PTC considered the final draft plan and Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration, then recommended Council adoption with requested consideration of specified design, funding, circulation, parking, and lease issues.
Read related coverageMarch 9, 2026: Group 1 objective approved
Council approved the Group 1 objectives category that includes Coverly acquisition and renovation funding.
Read related coverageFebruary 24, 2026 planning update
Staff reported that the Commission would consider a conceptual master plan and CEQA review in March 2026; a Council presentation was anticipated in April 2026, and a public poll was expected to inform further work in May 2026.
Read related coverageFebruary 13, 2026 update
The 2025 accomplishments review reported ongoing engagement and activation intended to increase community awareness. Staff identified the project as a major priority aligned with Commission workplan items.
Read related coverageFebruary 11, 2026: Joint meeting announced
Staff announced that the Architectural Review Board would join PTC to discuss the master plan.
Read related coverageFebruary 9, 2026: Polling, TheatreWorks LOI, and acquisition contingencies
Council received third-round polling results, approved an LOI with TheatreWorks Silicon Valley for a potential performing-arts partnership, and directed staff to develop acquisition and financing contingencies.
Read related coverageFebruary 2, 2026: Potential TheaterWorks partnership update
Council was informed that TheaterWorks may become a second potential partner for the Cubberley initiative.
Read related coverageJanuary 27, 2026 Department Report Update
Staff reported that the winter three-movie activation series concluded with 75 attendees at its final showing and brought some new visitors to the campus. The community center will shift from walk-in service to appointment-only service beginning March 2, 2026, due to citywide budget reductions and staffing adjustments.
Read related coverageJanuary 24, 2026: Acquisition and renovation funding priority
Council made acquisition and renovation funding a 2026 priority.
Read related coverageJanuary 20, 2026: Upcoming agenda schedule update
The City Manager reported that the related action item would be heard on February 9, 2026 rather than February 2, 2026.
Read related coverageJanuary 15, 2026: Potential joint study session
Staff reported that no February agenda items were planned but that a joint study session with the Planning and Transportation Commission regarding the site reimagining could occur.
Read related coverageDecember 16, 2025: Family movie-series activation update
The second movie night was scheduled for the meeting evening, with 260 RSVPs reported. The first screening had about 70 attendees from 125 RSVPs. A final screening of Smurfs was planned for January 14.
Read related coverageDecember 15, 2025 project and Poll #2 update
Staff reported an estimated $392 million Phase 1 covering land acquisition, repairs, a recreation and wellness center, and a performing-arts complex, with future master-plan phases estimated at an additional $220 million. Funding under consideration included a sales tax or parcel tax, development impact fees, grants, partner contributions, and philanthropy.
Read related coverageNovember 25, 2025: Campus activation and master plan schedule
Staff reported a three-part family movie-night series intended to keep the campus active during the master plan process. The first screening, held November 10, drew approximately 70 attendees; the next screening was scheduled for December 16. Staff said some attendees were visiting Cubberley for the first time.
Read related coverageOctober 20, 2025: Master-plan and polling update
Staff opened a study session reporting progress and describing proposed additional polling to validate the master-plan direction and resident support. Staff presented a three-phase master concept. Phase 1 was described as potentially achievable through a successful ballot measure and community-partner support; later phases remain unfunded with unknown timing. Staff will conduct four polls, beginning with the second poll in November 2025, and return to Council in December 2025 with poll results and master-plan updates.
Read related coverageSeptember 29, 2025: Community-input phase and future polling update
A Council member reported that the final master-plan community meeting occurred September 17, 2025. Staff and the Council ad hoc committee were continuing to synthesize input, assess costs and affordability, and anticipated a community poll in coming months; the member expressed hope for a ballot measure in November 2026.
Read related coverageSeptember 15, 2025 update: final community meeting announced
A final community master-plan meeting was announced for September 17, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., with an architect-team presentation and community feedback opportunity.
Read related coverageAugust 26, 2025: Community-engagement update
Staff said a more detailed update would return at the September meeting and directed the public to the project page and feedback process.
Read related coverageJuly 17, 2025 study session on conceptual layouts and circulation
Staff presented an update and three conceptual site layouts and circulation plans. The 35-acre site includes 8 acres owned by the City and approximately 27 acres leased from PAUSD. A possible City purchase of 7 additional acres is contingent on voter approval of a bond measure in November 2026.
Read related coverageJuly 9, 2025: Conceptual Site Layout and Circulation Study Session
The Commission held a study session on diagonal, grid, and linear site-layout concepts. Staff reported preliminary community preference for the diagonal concept and proposed refining a hybrid that incorporates diagonal circulation, central gathering space, and efficient path connections.
Read related coverageJune 24, 2025 master-planning and polling update
Staff reported that the first voter poll ran April 28 through May 7, 2025, surveying 437 Palo Alto voters. Results emphasized efficient use and accountability of taxpayer dollars, basic building and safety improvements, and green space. Upcoming milestones include Planning and Transportation Commission review on July 9, Architectural Review Board review on July 17, City Council review on August 18, a third community meeting on September 17, and Parks and Recreation Commission review on September 23. A second poll is planned for fall 2025 and a third for spring 2026.
Read related coverageJune 19, 2025 activation and master-plan update
Staff described a 35-acre site, near-term activations through November 2026, community engagement, and a potential 2026 ballot initiative. ArtLift grants may support temporary installations at Cubberly in 2026.
Read related coverageJune 9, 2025 Update
Staff began a study-session update on master-plan progress, community polling, opportunities for public input, and upcoming work.
Read related coverageMay 28, 2025 scheduling update
Staff reported that the project team requested Planning & Transportation Commission discussion of three conceptual plans at the July 9, 2025 meeting. The project team asked to bring three conceptual plans to the commission on July 9, 2025.
Read related coverageMay 5, 2025 budget transmittal update
The proposed FY 2026 budget continues planning to acquire and renovate the community center.
Read related coverageApril 22, 2025: Community Meeting #1, Poll #1, and Workplan Update
Staff reported results from the March 19 community meeting, outlined Poll #1 themes and release plans, and described upcoming concept development and engagement milestones.
Read related coverageApril 14, 2025: Upcoming Council action announced
The City Manager listed an upcoming Council action item concerning the master-planning effort and community polling.
Read related coverageMarch 25, 2025 liaison update
The first of three public visioning sessions occurred March 19, 2025, with approximately 120 attendees. Staff will return at the Commission's April meeting with the work schedule, a recap of the first meeting, and plans for the second community meeting.
Read related coverageFebruary 25, 2025 update
City Council held a visioning session the prior week. The first of three community meetings was scheduled for March 19, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Read related coverageFebruary 24, 2025: Community meeting announced
Council announced a community meeting for March 19, 2025, at 6:00 PM; no location was stated during the meeting.
Read related coverageFebruary 18, 2025: Council visioning workshop
Council conducted a visioning workshop and reached consensus on a provisional vision statement to validate through community engagement.
Read related coverageJanuary 28, 2025 update
Commissioners discussed potential Commission involvement, including whether an ad hoc committee or a community-fellow role could be appropriate.
Read related coverageJanuary 25, 2025 committee-structure update
Council established a Brown-Act Cubberley committee for the next phase, described as a narrow, likely one-year effort. Staff will return with proposed scope and work plans.
Read related coverageDecember 18, 2024: Consultant engagement and Recreation Wellness Center update
Council approved funds to retain Concordia, the prior Cubberley consultant. Community, staff, site, and friends-group meetings were planned for January 21 and 22; the friends group has a letter of intent and may begin fundraising for the Recreation Wellness Center.
Read related coverageDecember 16, 2024: CEQA review contract approved
Council approved a one-year CEQA review contract with Rincon Consultants for up to $202,322, along with related budget amendments.
Read related coverageOctober 29, 2024 City update
The City reported that acquiring the additional acreage could bring City ownership to about 15 acres. Potential interim activation, including art activity, may be considered while a future redevelopment scope and bond measure are developed.
Read related coverageOctober 10, 2024: Community-center planning update
The liaison said the community conversation on the center's components, possible housing, equity, belonging, and access would need to be completed within 18 months to prepare a bond measure.
Read related coverageOctober 7, 2024: MOU authorized for Cubberley site
Council authorized an MOU with PAUSD for purchase and lease of the seven-acre site and directed next steps toward formal agreements and resumed master planning.
Read related coverageSeptember 24, 2024 update
Commission discussion indicated that an announcement was anticipated after an agreement is reached; the expected timing was within the month.
Read related coverage
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