Palo Alto city and school officials on Monday released new details regarding negotiations over the Cubberley Community Center land, responding to community demands for more transparency. This disclosure comes as residents prepare to vote on Measure J, a ballot initiative proposing a local sales tax increase to fund significant upgrades to the community center at 4000 Middlefield Road and provide financial support to the school district for its own infrastructure improvements.
The centerpiece of Measure J is the city's plan to purchase seven acres of the 35-acre Cubberley campus, which would then be combined with the eight acres the city already owns. If voters approve the measure, the city would acquire this land for $65.5 million. This purchase is intended to facilitate an ambitious renovation of Cubberley, which is slated to include new theaters, a new gym, and other updated amenities for public use.
Measure J, if passed, would authorize a 0.5% increase in the local sales tax, projected to generate approximately $15.6 million annually. While structured as a general tax, the city council has committed through an accompanying resolution to direct these funds specifically towards the Cubberley project. City polls conducted in May, prior to the council's decision to place the measure on the ballot, indicated that just over 50% of likely voters supported the initiative, suggesting a potentially close outcome.
According to a joint statement from the city and district, the agreed purchase price of $60.65 million in 2024 dollars—equivalent to the $65.5 million 2027 purchase price—is slightly higher than the city's own appraisal. However, this figure is substantially lower than the school district's initial asking price of $90 million for the seven-acre parcel. The district's higher valuation reflected the property's potential interest from private parties for long-term lease, including possible use as a private school. In contrast, the city’s initial offer was based on its 2024 appraisal, which valued the Cubberley land between $43.6 million and $60.2 million. The statement noted that valuing the property is "imprecise due to a lack of comparable sites" and highlighted that the community center is zoned for public facility use, with state law prioritizing public agency buyers.
Mayor Vicki Veenker, who collaborated with the school district and her council colleagues on the release of this information, stated that both bodies “worked together once again to provide more than just a number.” She emphasized that transparency on this issue is important to residents and voters, expressing gratitude to all who supported the disclosure. Despite these efforts, the city has not released the full property appraisal, citing it as confidential information related to real estate negotiations. Opponents of Measure J have criticized this, with their official argument stating, “We don’t even know how the $65.5 million price for the property was determined.” This argument, co-signed by former Mayor Lydia Kou, resident Jeanne Fleming, and the Silicon Valley Taxpayer Association, further notes that City Hall refuses to provide an appraisal.
Following the release of these details, the city council approved agreements with two non-profit tenants at Cubberley: HeartFit for Life and Avenidas. These agreements aim for partnerships on capital improvements, allowing both organizations to expand their presence at the center.
Avenidas, a primary provider of services for older adults, cited the growth in Palo Alto's older adult population and an increasing need for accessible and appropriately designed space. The organization currently operates the Avenidas Chinese Community Center at Cubberley, which opened in 2018, but current facilities do not fully meet the needs of older adults due to limitations in distance, accessibility, and space. The expanded Avenidas facility would include social services offices, program rooms, gathering spaces, and administrative functions. The letter of intent outlines a collaboration between the city and Avenidas to raise funds for these improvements through philanthropy, grants, and other external sources. Kristina Lugo, CEO of Avenidas, expressed enthusiasm for creating a more unified experience and expanding access for older adults.
HeartFit for Life, which offers cardiac rehabilitation programs, has operated in Palo Alto since 1970 and has been at Cubberley for the past 23 years. The organization is seeking long-term stability through dedicated space at Cubberley, potentially sharing a portion with the city or other tenants. HeartFit for Life plans to undertake a fundraising effort to cover a substantial portion of the capital development costs for its dedicated space. Brian Smiley, board president at HeartFit for Life, voiced strong support for the new partnership, stating Cubberley is “the beating heart of the HeartFit community.”
