Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Grand opening of new $65 million Contra Costa County Administration Building celebrated

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The grand opening of the new Contra Costa County Administration Building and Plaza was held on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. Photos: Contra Costa County

A new government facility to better fit its environment

Includes new plaza, public law library

By Kristi Jourdan, PIO, Contra Costa County

County and city officials celebrated the grand opening of Contra Costa County’s new Administration Building Tuesday morning, July 9, 2024. Located on Pine Street in the heart of downtown Martinez, the three-story cutting-edge office administration building and civic plaza was unveiled on the historic grounds previously occupied by a taller, outdated office tower and a jail dating back to around 1902. Both were demolished to make way for the modern development including the County’s other new administration building across Escobar Street that houses the Board of Supervisors’ Chambers.

Members of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors and the Martinez City Council, county staff and representatives of both Webcor Builders and design firm Perkins & Will gathered for the building’s grand opening.

Speakers included Board Chair and District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover, District 1 Supervisor John Gioia, District 2 Supervisor Candace Andersen, District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis and District 4 Supervisor Ken Carlson, Chief Assistant County Administrator Eric Angstadt and Martinez Mayor Brianne Zorn, and representatives of design firm Perkins & Will and Webcor Builders.

The new County Administration Building and Plaza.

The new $65 million building replaced a programmatically obsolete and contextually out of scale office tower and showcases state-of-the-art architecture that harmonizes beautifully with the surrounding historic buildings. It also rejuvenates the public plaza formed by the vacation of a city street within the County administration campus. It embodies sustainability with on-site photovoltaics for high-performance energy use, responsibly sourced finishes, and low embodied carbon materials.

The entrance and a retail space inside the new County Administration Building.

The development significantly enhances community space by adding a new public law library, ground-floor retail spaces, and a parking garage. The plaza also includes street improvements and an advanced stormwater system tailored to the site’s unique groundwater challenges and topography. Internally, the building acts as a hub for several County administrative departments, including the Public Defender, County Sheriff’s Civil Division and the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice, consolidating essential services under one roof to improve service delivery and enhance community interaction.

The new building marks a significant contribution to Contra Costa County, where modernity meets tradition and community service meets innovation.

Alexandra Pony of Pony Communications and Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Pavement repair work on Waterfront Road near Martinez July 8-15

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Source: CCC Public Works Dept

Expect delays 7:00 am-4:30 pm

By Kelly Kalfsbeek, Community & Media Relations Coordinator, PIO, Contra Costa County Public Works Department

Unincorporated Contra Costa County, CA- The Contra Costa County Public Works Department will perform pavement repair work on Waterfront Road, between the Northbound I-680 offramp and Waterbird Way, beginning on Monday, July 8, 2024, through Monday, July 15, 2024, barring unforeseen circumstances. The work will take place from 7:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, weather permitting. Traffic control will be used. Road users can expect delays of 15-20 minutes. Electronic message boards will be placed in advance to alert drivers to work and advise of expected delays.

About Contra Costa County Public Works Department:

Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) maintains over 660 miles of roads, 150 miles of streams, channels, and other drainage, and over 150 County buildings throughout Contra Costa County. CCCPWD provides services such as Parks and Recreation, Sandbag Distribution, and Flood Control throughout unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County.  CCCPWD operates two airports, Buchanan Field Airport in Concord, and Byron Airport in Byron. For more information about CCCPWD, please visit us at: www.cccpublicworks.org

Pavement repair work on Brentwood Blvd July 12-19

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Source: CCC Public Works Dept.

Expect delays 7 am to 4 pm

By Kelly Kalfsbeek, Community & Media Relations Coordinator, PIO, Contra Costa County Public Works Department

July 3, 2024, unincorporated Brentwood, CA- The Contra Costa County Public Works Department will perform pavement repair work on Brentwood Boulevard, between Sellers Avenue and Byron Highway, on Friday, July 12, 2024, and Friday, July 19, 2024, barring unforeseen circumstances. The work will take place from 7:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m., weather permitting. Electronic message boards will be placed in advance to alert drivers to work and advise of expected delays. Temporary lane closures will be required during working hours. Traffic control will be used. Road users can expect delays of 15-20 minutes and are encouraged to use alternative routes.

About Contra Costa County Public Works Department:

Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) maintains over 660 miles of roads, 150 miles of streams, channels, and other drainage, and over 150 County buildings throughout Contra Costa County. CCCPWD provides services such as Parks and Recreation, Sandbag Distribution, and Flood Control throughout unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County.  CCCPWD operates two airports, Buchanan Field Airport in Concord, and Byron Airport in Byron. For more information about CCCPWD, please visit us at: www.cccpublicworks.org

Construction on Walnut Blvd. Bikeway Gap Closure Project June 24-July 22

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Expect delays of up to 10 minutes between Marsh Creek and Vasco Roads

By Kelly Kalfsbeek, Community & Media Relations Coordinator, PIO, Contra Costa County Public Works

June 18, 2024 – Unincorporated Brentwood, CA – Contra Costa County Public Works will begin construction of the Walnut Boulevard Bikeway Gap Closure Project on Monday, June 24, 2024, through Monday, July 22, 2024, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will occur between 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), weather permitting.

Traffic control will be used. Message boards will alert drivers about the work. Drivers should expect delays of up to 10 minutes through the construction zone and consider alternative routes during working hours.

The work consists of roadway shoulder widening along an 860-foot segment of Walnut Boulevard between Marsh Creek Road and Vasco Road to provide Class II bike lanes, grinding and overlaying the roadway pavement section, and installing a centerline rumble strip, striping, pavement markings, and signage.

Funding for this project is provided by a State Highway Safety Improvement Program grant, local Transportation Development Act grant and Gas Tax Funds. For more information visit: www.contracosta.ca.gov/9899/Walnut-Blvd-Bikeway-Gap-Closure.

Paving work for Alamo Roundabout Project June 20 – July 17

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Alamo Roundabout Project Location map. Source: CCC Public Works

Expect up to 15-minute traffic delays

Part of the Danville Boulevard/Orchard Court Complete Streets Improvement Project

By Kelly Kalfsbeek, Community & Media Relations Coordinator, PIO, Contra Costa County Public Works

Alamo, CA – Contra Costa County Public Works will perform surface treatment work as part of the Alamo Roundabout Project starting Thursday, June 20, 2024, through Wednesday, July 17, 2024, weather permitting. Message Boards will be posted in advance to advise of the scheduled work. Drivers should expect delays of up to 15 minutes near the area of work. Work consists of applying a pavement surface treatment and final roadway striping along Danville Blvd. from Stone Valley Road to St. Alphonsus Way.

Thursday, June 20, 2024, through Friday, June 28, 2024, 8:00 pm to 6:00 am: Night-time work will include pavement surface treatment work. One-way traffic control will be implemented, and flaggers will be present.

Monday, July 8, 2024, through Wednesday, July 17, 2024, 8:00 pm to 6:00 am: Night-time work will take place for roadway striping operations. One-way traffic control will be implemented, and flaggers will be present.

The Danville Boulevard/Orchard Court Complete Streets Improvement Project-Alamo Roundabout Project will improve safety of vehicles, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic along Danville Boulevard. The project will construct sidewalks and bicycle facilities, improve landscaping and electrical work, reconstruct pavement, apply a pavement surface treatment, replace traffic striping and pavement markings, and install curb extensions and ramps along this segment of Danville Boulevard. It will also create a roundabout at the intersection of Danville Boulevard and Orchard Court. Funding for this project is provided by the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program grant, Measure J Regional Funds, and Gas Tax Funds. For more project information about this project visit: www.contracosta.ca.gov/alamoroundabout.

About Contra Costa County Public Works Department:

Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) maintains over 660 miles of roads, 150 miles of streams, channels, and other drainage and over 150 County buildings throughout Contra Costa County. CCCPWD provides services such as Parks and Recreation, Sandbag Distribution and Flood Control throughout unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County.  CCCPWD operates two airports, Buchanan Field Airport in Concord, and Byron Airport in Byron. For more information about CCCPWD, please visit us at www.cccpublicworks.org.

Concord: Traffic delays from construction on Walnut Creek Desilt Project begin Monday

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Walnut Creek Desilt Project work area map. Source: CCC Public Works

For 3 ½ months on the portion of the creek that runs through northern section of Concord

By Kelly Kalfsbeek, Community & Media Relations Coordinator, PIO, Contra Costa County Public Works

Contra Costa County Public Works will begin construction of the Walnut Creek Desilt Project on Monday, June 17, 2024, through Thursday, October 31, 2024, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will take place between 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), weather permitting.

Drivers should expect delays of 5-15 minutes at Meridian Park Boulevard and Willow Way, Via de Mercados to Concord Avenue, and Waterworld Parkway to Willow Pass Road and should consider alternate routes during construction. Message boards will alert drivers about the work. Traffic control will be used. Restrictions will be in place to minimize impacts during commute hours.

The work consists of removing approximately 115,000 cubic yards of silt in the Walnut Creek Channel to restore creek flow capacity. Funding for this project is provided by Flood Control Zone 3B Funds. For more information visit: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/8658/Walnut-Creek-Desilt

About Contra Costa County Public Works Department:

Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) maintains over 660 miles of roads, 150 miles of streams, channels, and other drainage and over 150 County buildings throughout Contra Costa County. CCCPWD provides services such as Parks and Recreation, Sandbag Distribution and Flood Control throughout unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County.  CCCPWD operates two airports, Buchanan Field Airport in Concord, and Byron Airport in Byron. For more information about CCCPWD, please visit us at: www.cccpublicworks.org

Natural gas ban lifted for new buildings in Contra Costa County

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Supervisors suspend all-electric requirements following U.S. Court of Appeals ruling

(Martinez, CA) – The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Tuesday suspended enforcement of its requirement that most new buildings be constructed as all-electric buildings.  The County’s all-electric building requirement, as part of the County’s building code, had prohibited the installation of natural gas infrastructure in most new buildings and required developers to use electricity as the sole source of energy in the building.  With Tuesday’s action, the County’s all-electric building requirement will not be enforced.

Last month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit invalidated a City of Berkeley ordinance that prohibited natural gas infrastructure in new buildings. The court held that the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act precludes cities and counties from adopting building codes that prohibit the installation of gas plumbing in buildings.

Contra Costa County’s all-electric building requirement, like the invalidated City of Berkeley ordinance, prohibits the installation of gas plumbing in new buildings.  The County is therefore suspending this requirement in response to the Ninth Circuit’s decision.

At the same time, the Board of Supervisors remains committed to the goals that prompted it to adopt the all-electric requirement: improving public health and fighting what they believe contributes to climate change. The Board referred the topic of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings to its Sustainability Committee and directed staff to report on alternatives for advancing this objective at the Committee’s next meeting.

“Contra Costa County remains committed to reducing the use of fossil fuels in buildings and continues to support the construction of new buildings using all-electric technologies.  We are eager to identify new and innovative ways to continue to pursue our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings.” said Board Chair Federal D. Glover, District 5 Supervisor.

The County encourages residents and businesses to continue to install all-electric building systems and appliances. There are many benefits of all-electric construction, some of which include:

  • Cleaner air and better health outcomes from eliminating the emissions associated with burning fossil fuels, particularly indoors.
  • Not having to pay to install gas pipes in new buildings.
  • Taking advantage of financial incentives and rebates for all-electric appliances.
  • Resilience against power outages, particularly when electric technologies are paired with battery storage.
  • Hedging against high electricity costs by being able to schedule electric appliances to operate at times of day when electricity costs are lowest.
  • Preparing for the potential discontinuation of gas appliances in the future that could occur from possible regulatory actions by regional, state, or federal agencies.

There are many good resources on the benefits of all-electric buildings, including:

The County’s sustainability web site has information on state and federal incentives, rebates, and other ways to fund all-electric upgrades.

The Bay Area Regional Energy Network has information on training opportunities, rebates and incentives, and contractors.

MCE, the community choice energy provider for most of Contra Costa County, offers rebates and incentives.

The Switch Is On, sponsored by the Building Decarbonization Coalition, is a collaborative campaign to support all-electric home conversion by providing tools, support, and resources to Californians.

Rewiring America provides information about the benefits of all-electric technologies, and helps generate a personalized plan for individuals, including costs and savings.

PG&E also has resources on all-electric buildings, including rebates, incentives, rate plans, and design guides.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Non-union construction coalition warns of Project Labor Agreements being considered by local governments in Contra Costa, East Bay

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By Allen D. Payton

The Coalition for Fair Employment in Construction (CFEC) issued a warning this week about Project Labor Agreements being considered by local governments throughout the state, including two in Contra Costa County, as well as by the East Bay Municipal Utilities District (East Bay MUD).

PLA’s First Implemented in Contra Costa County

According to CFEC, “In 1992, California construction trade unions were given a new scheme for regaining their severely-eroded market share and making extra money on projects. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that governments could act as a ‘market participant’ to negotiate and sign Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) and then require contractors to sign those union agreements as a condition of work.

In 1994, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 for the first government-mandated Project Labor Agreement in California. At the instigation of unions, local governments throughout the state soon followed, with their own Project Labor Agreement mandates on public works contracts. These Project Labor Agreements were discouraging bidders, increasing costs, and reducing bid participation from minority and women-owned small businesses.”

CFEC Executive Director Eric Christen claims “PLA’s rob workers of their hard earned pay” and explains the organization’s position in a YouTube video from a presentation to the San Gabriel Unified School District which “illustrates how the non-union worker loses out on over $10,000 in hard earned pay working under a PLA as opposed to working without one.”

Less Than 11% of Construction Workers Nationwide are Union Members, 21% in Contra Costa

The organization offers a variety of studies about the costs of union-only PLA’s. They also shared a Jan. 31, 2024, report entitled, “A Record 89.3% of the U.S. Construction Industry Is Not Part of a Union”. It claims, “According to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2023 Union Members Summary released Jan. 23, 2024, a historic low of 10.7% of the construction industry belongs to a union, a decline from 11.7% in 2022.”

Asked for the statistics in Contra Costa County Christen responded, “according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, CC County has a 21% union density level in the construction industry.”

CFEC warns of three agencies considering PLA’s including, “City of Hercules: This Bay Area city has begun looking into the use of a PLA. Mount Diablo Unified School District: This Contra Costa County school district is considering a Project Labor Agreement for all its bond work. East Bay MUD: This Bay Area entity continues to look into the use of a PLA for some of its work. CFEC and our allies have worked hard to keep it PLA-free for decades.” The organization asks for those interested to contact them to help keep the local governments “PLA-free”.

ABOUT CFEC

Non-union and union contractors, business and community leaders, and taxpayer advocates recognized Project Labor Agreements as a looming threat to fiscal responsibility, fair and open competition, and freedom of choice in training in California. In May 1998, state leaders attended a strategic conference in Sacramento to develop a plan to protect fair and open competition in the awarding of construction contracts.

By the end of the year, the Coalition for Fair Employment in Construction (CFEC) was incorporated. Its sole responsibility: protect fair and open bid competition on construction contracts through education. When the California Supreme Court in 1999 permitted the San Francisco Airport Commission to continue its Project Labor Agreement mandate, the educational role of CFEC became extremely important to stopping this union favoritism.

The Coalition for Fair Employment in Construction is dedicated to guaranteeing genuine accountability and results for taxpayers by ensuring a fair and competitive construction industry. CFEC educates taxpayers and public officials about waste, fraud and abuse associated with lobbyist brokered Project Labor Agreements (PLAs). It’s our right and responsibility to hold our elected officials accountable for pushing special interest backroom deals that favor special interests over the public interest. That’s what we do.

Through education and advocacy, CFEC stands up for taxpayers, construction workers, contractors and developers so that the public can get the best quality work at the best price. To learn more visit http://opencompca.com/.

 

 

San Pablo Dam Road work in El Sobrante begins Monday, Jan. 21

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Source: CCC Public Works

By Kelly Kalfsbeek, Community & Media Relations Coordinator, PIO, Contra Costa County Public Works

Contra Costa County Public Works will be upgrading traffic signal hardware to improve pedestrian safety at nine (9) intersections on San Pablo Dam Road between El Portal Drive and Castro Ranch Road. Work will begin on Monday, January 22, 2024, and continue through Friday, June 21, 2024, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will take place between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), weather permitting. Restrictions will be in place to minimize impacts to drivers during commute hours.

Funding for this project is provided by Gas Tax (SB1 Road Repair and Accountability Act) and Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). For more information regarding this work, visit: www.contracosta.ca.gov/San-Pablo-Dam-Road-and-Bailey-Road-Signal-Hardware-Upgrades

About Contra Costa County Public Works Department:

Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) maintains over 660 miles of roads, 150 miles of streams, channels, and other drainage and over 150 County buildings throughout Contra Costa County. CCCPWD provides services such as Parks and Recreation, Sandbag Distribution and Flood Control throughout unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County.  CCCPWD operates two airports, Buchanan Field Airport in Concord, and Byron Airport in Byron. For more information about CCCPWD, please visit us at: www.cccpublicworks.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X @cccpublicworks.

 

Geotechnical work on Highland Road east of San Ramon Dec. 22

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Highland Road damage. Photos: CCC Public Works Dept

By Kelly Kalfsbeek, PIO, Contra Costa County Public Works Department

Contra Costa County Public Works will be performing geotechnical borings in preparation for the Highland Road Erosion Repair Project east of San Ramon on Friday, December 22, 2023, between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will repair the roadway and road embankment along the eastbound shoulder of Highland Road, at a Tassajara Creek tributary crossing, approximately 50-feet west from the intersection with Collier Canyon Road.

The project will, approximately 50 feet northwest of the intersection with Collier Canyon Road.   Repair work will included construction of a soldier pile retaining wall to restore and stabilize the roadway embankment.  The project will also include installing guardrail along the retaining wall and backfilling and reconstructing the damaged roadway and shoulder.

Source: CCC Public Works Dept.

Drivers should expect 15-minute delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes.

For construction and project status contact Jorge Hernandez, 925.313.2346. For more information visit: www.contracosta.ca.gov/Highland-Road-Erosion-Repair

About Contra Costa County Public Works Department:

Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) maintains over 660 miles of roads, 150 miles of streams, channels, and other drainage and over 150 County buildings throughout Contra Costa County. CCCPWD provides services such as Parks and Recreation, Sandbag Distribution and Flood Control throughout unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County.  CCCPWD operates two airports, Buchanan Field Airport in Concord, and Byron Airport in Byron. For more information about CCCPWD, please visit us at: www.cccpublicworks.org