Contra Costa Herald

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

Contra Costa County to break ground Tuesday on Orbisonia Village and new Bay Point Library

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Orbisonia Village and new Bay Point Library. Rendering credit: Architects Orange

Mixed-use development will bring 167 affordable homes and a new public library to Bay Point

By Brody Fernandez, Communications Director, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston

(Martinez, CA) – Contra Costa County will join community leaders, project partners, and residents Tuesday, Oct. 20, to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Orbisonia Village and Bay Point Library, a major mixed-use development that will bring a new public library and affordable housing to the Bay Point community.

The groundbreaking ceremony will begin at 1p.m., at 570 S. Broadway Avenue, in Bay Point.

The first phase of Orbisonia Village will include a new 20,900-square-foot library and 167 affordable rental homes. The development is located on a 3.31-acre site at Bailey Road and Maylard Street, within walking distance of the Pittsburg-Bay Point BART Station.

“It’s exciting to see the County’s long-term redevelopment vision come to life with Orbisonia Village, creating a vibrant community for about 1,000 residents and a new library near BART,” said Board Chair Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor.

Designed by Architects Orange, it will be built and owned by project developer, Pacific West Communities of Idaho, a major affordable‑housing developer active across California, with over 11,000 low‑income units built and more than 140 Tax Credit Allocation Committee/low-income housing tax credit projects, specializing in family, senior and special‑needs housing. It is part of The Pacific Companies.

A New Library at the Heart of the Community

For the first time in 50 years, the County is building a new library.  The Bay Point Library will replace the community’s existing library space inside the Riverview Middle School Library and will provide a modern public facility designed to serve residents of all ages.

The library will feature a maker space, children’s room, teen space, quiet reading room, an upper-level balcony, six study rooms and a large community meeting room.

The planned Orbisonia Village in Bay Point. Rendering credit: Architects Orange

Affordable Housing and Access to Opportunity

The first phase of Orbisonia Village will provide a total of 169 residential units, including 167 affordable rental homes and two manager units. The affordable homes will serve households earning between 30-70 percent of the area’s median income, with a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes designed to accommodate individuals and families.

As part of its broader investment in the project, the County has pursued state funding to support affordable housing, the new library, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, transit service and bus shelters, transit passes for residents, and workforce development and anti-displacement programs.

A Long-Term Investment in Bay Point

Orbisonia Village builds on years of planning and public investment in the Bay Point community. The project site is located within an area that has been the focus of the County’s housing and redevelopment efforts for many years.

District V Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston proudly represents Bay Point, the home of the new Library and the Orbisonia Village.

“For the first time in 50 years, Contra Costa County is opening a brand-new library right here in District V,” Scales-Preston said. “Bay Point is the largest unincorporated community in Contra Costa County. I’m thrilled our Bay Point residents will soon have a dedicated, state-of-the-art library they can call their own.

The new affordable housing development we’re also breaking ground on is a significant investment for the Bay Point Community. It shows we are serious about delivering the housing and resources our families deserve. By co-locating essential housing with a beautiful new library, we are creating a vibrant hub where our neighbors can live, grow, and thrive.”

The Board of Supervisors has approved multiple funding and financing actions supporting the project, including local affordable housing funds and authorization related to tax-exempt financing. The project has an estimated total development cost of about $128 million for the first phase. County funding has included land financing, Measure X, and Permanent Local Housing Allocation funds, along with other state and federal financing sources.

Construction is expected to continue through 2028.  The new Bay Point Library is anticipated to open to the public in the spring of 2029.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Endorsement: Walnut Creek’s Measure U for senior housing, mixed-use development near BART station just makes sense

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By Allen D. Payton, Publisher

While it shouldn’t have to take a developer to get a measure placed on the ballot to obtain approval for a transit-oriented development housing and mixed-use project next to a BART station, the fact that Hall Equities Group has gone the extra mile to do so with Measure U is worth noting, having gathered public support to go directly to the voters and send a clear message to a different Hall, that is City Hall.

As previously reported, Measure U would update zoning in Downtown Walnut Creek to allow for more than 200 units of high-quality senior housing on a 2.4-acre, transit-oriented site near the Walnut Creek BART station. The rezoning would create an opportunity to address the city’s growing need for senior housing while allowing residents to remain close to family, friends, healthcare, shopping and other community services as they age.

The initiative would also support a mixed-use community with retail, a plaza and food-oriented businesses, creating a more vibrant and walkable downtown while supporting local businesses. By directing new housing to an area already served by BART, the initiative advances smart, sustainable growth and makes it easier for seniors to maintain mobility and independence without relying solely on a car.

Summary – What Measure U Does

Measure U takes an existing vacant office building, large above-ground parking structure and office-only zoning and changes the zoning to senior housing, market and retail, and office space.

Please see the Resolution, City Attorney Analysis and Argument in Favor.

As is stated by the Yes on Measure U’s Argument in Favor, “This initiative aligns with Walnut Creek’s General Plan, including the City’s recently adopted Housing Element and North Downtown Specific Plan. It advances Walnut Creek’s goals for sustainable growth, reduced traffic, and enhanced quality of life, and to begin to balance the supply Of housing in Walnut Creek designated for seniors. Measure U is a responsible, forward-thinking investment in Walnut Creek’s future. It provides the housing our seniors need while creating a thriving mixed-use area for everyone – without raising taxes.” I especially like that last part. The housing will not be taxpayer subsidized as are so many other residential projects currently under development in the county.

Aerial view of location and map of the proposed project and elements near the Walnut Creek BART Station. Source: Yes on Measure U

No Organized Opposition

The fact that there has been no organized opposition to the measure and no Argument Against it was submitted for inclusion in the County’s election guide, reflects the broad community support for creating more senior housing and a connected, transit-oriented community in Downtown Walnut Creek.

My Connection to Walnut Creek

For parts of my life, I grew up and graduated from high school in Walnut Creek and my first job after college was working for a small, boutique, Walnut Creek-based in-fill housing developer that built 10- to 40-lot subdivisions in Walnut Creek and Concord. Also, I first became involved in public service in 1989 with an appointment by the City Council to the Land Use Subcommittee of the Walnut Creek in the Year 2000 Committee. While it’s 37 years later, the long-term plans of focusing high-density housing near the Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill (Contra Costa Centre) BART Stations just made sense, then and still do, now.

Long-Time Supporter of TOD

I later went on to serve on the Antioch City Council from 1994-98 and during that time – with the knowledge I’d gained in Walnut Creek – co-authored a growth management advisory measure, also labeled Measure U, which tied new growth in that city to widening of Highway 4 and new school construction, which was sorely needed then, called “growth metering”, and it passed overwhelmingly by 69% of the vote. I also represented East County on the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and three other East County transportation boards.

For full disclosure, because of that experience I later helped start and currently serve in leadership for three companies which are focused on bringing a low-cost, solar-powered electric, ultra-light rail transit system for both passengers and freight as well as the associated real estate development surrounding the stations, known as transit oriented development (TOD) and transit villages, also referred to as livable, walkable, sustainable communities. (On a side note, I was there the night one of the Long brothers, after speaking and pounding his cane on the floor in defiance, was told by the Walnut Creek City Council his company could not build on their own land on North Civic Drive. As a result, Long’s Drugs ended up building offices in Antioch for their support personnel, also, because they learned so many of their employees lived in that city. But it would have made more sense for them to build just blocks away from the Walnut Creek BART Station).

So, I’m clearly a supporter of high-density housing, commercial and retail next to and near transit stations. It also helps implement one of the bills signed into law by Gov. Schwarzenegger, specifically, SB 375 (2008) which requires “coordinating the regional housing needs allocation process with the regional transportation process while maintaining local authority over land use decisions,” and formed the basis for the Plan Bay Area effort.

But to be perfectly clear, my businesses have no interest in or connection to the Walnut Creek BART station area TOD plans and projects. Our companies’ plans are focused on other parts of the county, the Bay Area, throughout the state, nation and internationally. So, this endorsement of Measure U will serve no benefit to either my businesses or me, personally.

Connection to Mark Hall

While I’ve been familiar with Mark Hall, Chairman of the Board of Hall Equities Group, since his father Merle was Mayor of Walnut Creek and nominated me for that appointment to the committee in 1989, I am primarily familiar with the work Mark and his company have done through the years to bring good projects to Walnut Creek, including the COPA Soccer Training Center in the Shadelands and the Shadelands Sports Mall, where it’s located.

So, it’s not because of any personal benefit or connection that I support the measure he and his company are championing.

Measure U Makes Sense

I’m endorsing Measure U because it just makes sense and I trust that Mark and his company will bring a quality project to the city which will benefit not only the seniors who will end up living there, but the entire Walnut Creek community and beyond. For example, those of us who chose to live in East County (mainly due to housing affordability over the past 35 to 40 years) and whose parents choose to live in this new development, we will be able to ride BART from Antioch, Pittsburg and Bay Point, or anywhere else along the BART system, to visit them and vice versa. (Assuming the BART Board doesn’t end up closing the East County stations. But that’s another matter for discussion, with a related measure also on the November ballot). Actually, thinking about it, I’m getting up there in age and I might end up wanting to return to Walnut Creek and live in the senior housing there some day, myself! That would be the only way this project could benefit me, personally. LOL

Seriously, I encourage the voters of Walnut Creek to support the project, allow for the senior housing, retail, restaurants and community plaza near the BART Station by voting yes on Measure U.

While the election is on Tuesday, November 3rd, you should have already received your ballot in the mail. If you haven’t done so, yet please get it out and fill in the oval next to “Yes” under Measure U. Thank you for your consideration.

For more information visit www.wcseniorhousing.org.

Gov. Newsom signs Concord Naval Weapons Station bill moving redevelopment forward

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SB 328 authored by Senator Grayson, co-authored by Assemblymembers Ávila Farías and Wicks provides CEQA exemptions, requires 25% of housing to be for lower-income

Base Reuse Project plan includes 12,272 new homes, 6 million SF of commercial space for up to 26,500 jobs, over 800 acres of parks & trails

By Colleen Awad, City of Concord Community Relations Manager

Concord, CA (September 30, 2026) – The City of Concord applauds Senator Tim Grayson for authoring Senate Bill 328, its principal coauthors, Assemblymembers Ávila Farías and Wicks, and thanks Governor Newsom for signing it into law.

Senate Bill 328 (SB 328), entitled, “California Environmental Quality Act (CEQ): exempt surplus land,” supports the City’s path to redevelop the former Concord Naval Weapons Station into a world-class neighborhood for current and future Concord residents after many years of planning and public input. It would exempt the property from certain requirements of CEQA and requires 25% of the housing be for lower-income renters and owners.

According to the Legislative Counsel’s Digest, “This bill would revise the definition of ‘exempt surplus land’ to remove the reference to buyers and instead mean 2 or more adjacent or nonadjacent parcels combined for disposition to one or more persons or entities, as specified.

Source: City of Concord

“The bill would also exempt surplus land that is a former military base that was conveyed by the federal government to a local agency or a local reuse authority, and that is all or any portion of the Concord Naval Weapons Station, if certain requirements are met, including that the former military base has an aggregate area greater than 5 acres and that before disposition of the land, the local agency or local reuse authority has entered into a disposition and development agreement that stipulates that at least 25% of the aggregate residential units permitted to be developed will be restricted to lower income households with an affordable housing cost or affordable rent for a minimum of 55 years for rental housing and 45 years for owner-occupied housing, as specified. The bill would regulate actions challenging the disposition and would prescribe penalties for violations of these provisions. The bill would also regulate the actions of the local agency or local reuse authority, including, among other things, requiring the local agency or local reuse authority to include in the annual report the status of development of residential units on the former military base, as specified.”

Furthermore, “This bill would provide that specified environmental review documents satisfy the requirements of CEQA for any project within the portion of the Concord Naval Weapons Station included within the boundaries of the area plan for the Concord Community Reuse Project, as provided, that has land use types that are consistent with the area plan land use types and locations for those land use types that are consistent with the area plan diagram and the project does not cause the aggregate development in the area plan to exceed the area plan maximum planning areawide total, as specified. The bill would further provide that a project that contains land use types that are consistent with the area plan land use types in locations that are not consistent with the area plan diagram would be subject to review pursuant to CEQA, and would be limited to review of the location of land use types that are not consistent with the area plan diagram, as provided.”

Thank you to Governor Newsom, Senator Grayson, and our state partners for your leadership, and to residents, community leaders, and stakeholders for supporting this legislation and this transformative neighborhood.

“Passage of SB 328 gives the City of Concord, Brookfield, and Concord residents certainty to move from vision to reality,” said Mayor Laura Nakamura. “Coming on the heels of the landmark agreement with the U.S. Navy, the legislation keeps this project moving forward to produce thousands of well-paying construction jobs and add many homes to our community.”

The vision for the project is to deliver a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive new community that reflects the values and aspirations of Concord. Among its elements are 12,272 new homes, 25 percent of them affordable to working families, seniors, and first-time buyers, along with approximately 6 million square feet of commercial space supporting up to 26,500 jobs, and more than 800 acres of local parks and trails.

In the months ahead, the City will continue working with Brookfield as they engage the community in the preparation of a Specific Plan. A Specific Plan serves as the detailed blueprint for future development by establishing land uses, neighborhood character, transportation networks, infrastructure, public amenities, parks and open space, and the design standards that will guide the community’s evolution.

With SB 328 now law, the Concord Naval Weapons Station Base Reuse Project continues its forward momentum.

For more information visit https://concordreuseproject.org.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

U.S. Navy approves financial agreement for Base Reuse Project at former Concord Naval Weapons Station

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Source: City of Concord

Will cost Master Developer $44.6 million plus interest

Additional community engagement expected to start early 2027

By Colleen Awad, Community Relations Manager, City of Concord

Concord, CA – The City of Concord is happy to announce that the U.S. Navy has approved the Term Sheet for the Concord Community Reuse Project at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station. The City Council approved the term sheet in May.

The Term Sheet is the financial agreement between the City and the U.S. Navy regarding the price and payment terms for approximately 2,422 acres of property at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station to facilitate the property’s redevelopment as part of the Base Reuse Project. The project’s master developer, Brookfield, supports the Term Sheet.

The City of Concord is the federally recognized local redevelopment authority (LRA) for the Former Naval Weapons Station Concord (NWS Concord).

Source: City of Concord

The total cost to the Master Developer will be $44.6 million. According to the Term Sheet, the LRA shall pay, or cause Master Developer to pay, the Navy a Deposit of $4,600,000 at the time of the closing of the Initial Transfer. Guaranteed Deferred Payments will begin 36 months after the date of the Initial Transfer at which time the LRA shall pay, or cause Master Developer to pay, the Navy no less than $40,000,000 in equal Guaranteed Deferred Payments $10,000,000 annually over four years plus, interest accrued from the Initial Transfer date at a rate equal to the 10-year United States Treasury Bond rate, as of the date of Initial Transfer, plus 150 basis points. Guaranteed Deferred Payments plus accrued interest will be due on the anniversary date of the closing of the Initial Transfer.

Photo: City of Concord

“I am proud the Base Reuse Project has reached this important milestone. The U.S. Navy has proven to be a tremendous partner in moving the community’s vision forward. This approval moves the Project into an important next phase, and our dedicated staff will continue working diligently to advance the Specific Plan,” said Director of Economic Development and Base Reuse, Guy Bjerke, who is retiring on September 30, 2026, after 11 years serving in his current role.

See Fully-Executed_NWS-Concord-EDC_Term-Sheet_23SEP2026.

Photo: City of Concord

The next phase of the project includes preparing and considering the Specific Plan and additional entitlement documents required to guide future development. The Specific Plan will bring the adopted Area Plan to life by designing the layout, uses, and features of development, implementing the Area Plan’s standards and policies. Brookfield will be leading the development of the Specific Plan. Both the City and Brookfield are hiring consultants to support this work, which will start this winter, with additional community engagement expected to start in early 2027.

To learn more about the Concord Community Reuse Project and follow its progress, visit the project website at www.concordreuseproject.org.

Contra Costa voters asked to contract, expand, extend County’s Urban Limit Line for 25 more years with Measure A

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The Proposed 2026 County ULL renewal map shows areas of contractions and expansions. Source: Contra Costa County

Would allow for expansion near Byron Airport, contractions elsewhere

Won’t affect ULL’s of the 19 cities

By Allen D. Payton

On Tuesday’s Primary Election ballot in Contra Costa County is Measure A, the 2026 Voter-Approved Contra Costa County Urban Limit Line also referred to as the Urban Limit Line and Land Preservation Plan Amendment Measure. Voters are asked whether to extend the County’s current Urban Limit Line (ULL) for 25 more years, as well as expand and contract it, placing a net of almost 9,500 more acres outside the line.

The ballot language reads, “Shall the measure amending the Contra Costa County General Plan and the County’s 65/35 Land Preservation Plan Ordinance to continue protections to the County’s non-urban, agricultural, and open space areas by extending the term of the County’s Urban Limit Line through December 31, 2051; adopting an updated Urban Limit Line map; requiring voter approval, except under limited circumstances, to expand the Urban Limit Line by more than 30 acres; and retaining the 65/35 Land Preservation Standard, be adopted?”

The county’s first ULL was voter-approved in 1990 and was renewed in 2006 which lasted 20 years.

Each of the 19 cities have their own voter-approved ULL, which supersede the County’s ULL, in order to receive local street maintenance funds from Measure J, the county’s half-cent sales tax for transportation. So, Measure A will not affect each city’s ULL only land in the unincorporated portions of the county.

Will Extend County ULL by 25 Years, Allow Expansion Near Byron Airport, Contractions Elsewhere

According to the County Counsel’s Impartial Analysis of the measure, “In 2004, voters approved Measure J-2004, which extended a local transportation sales tax (Measure C-1988) by 25 years and allowed the County to receive a share of those sale tax proceeds provided the County had a voter-approved ULL.

“In 2006, voters approved Measure L-2006, which extended the term of the ULL to December 31, 2026. In order (for the County) to continue to be eligible to receive transportation sales tax proceeds after 2026, the ULL must be extended beyond 2026. This measure would extend the County’s ULL for 25 years, through December 31, 2051.

In addition, “the measure would amend the County’s 2045 General Plan and the 65/35 Ordinance to accomplish the following: (1) extend the term of the 65/35 Ordinance from December 31, 2026, through December 31, 2051; (2) require four-fifths vote of the County Board of Supervisors and voter approval to expand the ULL by more than 30 acres (except under limited circumstances); (3) provide for periodic reviews of the ULL by the Board of Supervisors and a required review involving an evaluation of housing and job needs; (4) update and expand the criteria for moving land outside the ULL; (5) incorporate a revised ULL map that among other things delineates an area of future potential expansion near the Byron Airport; and (6) retain the 65/35 land preservation standard and protections for the County’s prime agricultural land. This measure will become effective immediately if approved by a majority of the voters voting on the measure.”

The proposed County ULL would include contractions totaling 11,098 acres and expansion of 1,603 acres for net 9,495 more acres placed outside the Urban Limit Line. (See map). However, the acreage does not include the Byron Airport Potential ULL Expansion Area.

Yes on A Campaign’s Main Argument

The main argument of the Yes on Measure A campaign, paid for by Save Mount Diablo and supported by nine other organizations, is “The Urban Limit Line helps prevent traffic from getting worse. The more people have to drive, and the more cars on the road, the worse traffic gets. This election, say YES to protecting our open space and agriculture, safety from wildfire, limiting traffic, and encouraging housing where it makes sense.”

No on A Campaign’s Main Argument

The main argument of the No on Measure A campaign, paid for by the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association is that “Measure A removes an additional 9,460 acres — equivalent to 14.78 square miles — from any possible urban housing use through 2051. That is larger than 10 of the 19 cities in Contra Costa County. Calling this a routine renewal misleads voters about what is actually on the ballot.”

The campaign also claims, “When Contra Costa restricts its land supply, families don’t disappear. They move — and commute back.”

Analysis: Growth is inevitable and acts much like a balloon, when it is restricted in one area, growth expands elsewhere. Such as in the Central Valley which feeds not only our state, but nation and world, and where land is cheaper and unfortunately, farmers can make more money selling to developers than farming. The result has been commuters driving further to work and blowing more polluting smoke out of their tailpipes, defeating the goals of the environmentalists, which doesn’t make sense.

At the same time, there’s plenty of room inside the current ULL’s of the cities for more housing growth to occur, especially in East County. Plus, the measure includes a potential expansion near the Byron Airport where commercial and/or mixed-used development could occur, as the long-planned, four-lane Route 239 between Brentwood and Tracy are built, the runway is potentially extended, a fixed base operation and fuel farm are built there, and a possible transit stop located there, as well.

Read more information on the websites for both the Yes on Measure A and No on Measure A campaigns.

See Full Text of 2026 CCC ULL Measure.

Initiative signature gathering begins for Senior Housing Transit Village near Walnut Creek BART

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Ygnacio Center is the location for the proposed Hall Equities Group’s Walnut Creek Senior Housing Transit Village with mixed-use retail project. Map source: Ygnacio Center CBRE Properties.

Initiative would update zoning to permit delivery of over 200 units and mixed-use retail

Learn more during community meeting April 27th

By Adam Alberti, Singer Media

Walnut Creek, CA – Hall Equities Group, a Walnut Creek-based real estate investment company, today announced they’ve launched a signature gathering effort to qualify an initiative for the November 2026 ballot to allow for development of much needed senior housing and community-serving retail to Downtown Walnut Creek.

The Walnut Creek Senior Housing Transit Village Initiative aims to update zoning in Downtown Walnut Creek to facilitate delivery of over 200 units of senior housing and mixed-use retail to a 2.4-acre site located at the northeast corner of North California Boulevard and Ygnacio Valley Road, across the street from the Walnut Creek BART station.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to help address the clear and growing need for senior housing in Walnut Creek,” said Mark Hall, Chairman of the Hall Equities Group Board. “This initiative reflects our community’s evolving needs by giving seniors the option to remain close to friends, family, healthcare and cultural opportunities, while creating an accessible mixed-use center that serves both seniors and the broader Walnut Creek community.”

The initiative prioritizes high-quality senior housing near BART, enabling residents to easily access regional destinations, connect to the Downtown Trolley system and walk to shopping, dining, entertainment and everyday services. By concentrating housing near public transit, the proposal supports mobility, independence, health and wellness for seniors while reducing vehicle traffic.

The initiative also paves the way for a vibrant, mixed-use center that supports community-serving shopping, dining, entertainment and other convenient services. The center will serve senior residents, downtown visitors, nearby businesses and future development proposed by the city, adding valuable evening and weekend activity that strengthens the local economy.

The Walnut Creek Senior Housing Transit Village aligns with the city’s goals to create a range of housing opportunities for seniors, mixed-use development, healthy community design and growth near transit, all while supporting a diverse downtown economy.

Signature gathering is now underway to place the initiative on the November 2026 ballot.

When asked for renderings of the project, Haley Murphy of Singer Associates, which is running the campaign responded, “The Proponents are still in the signature gathering process and developing plans for the site, so there are not yet renderings to share. The current 2.4-acre site is zoned for ‘office-only’, so the campaign committee is planning to go to the voters directly to establish a new zoning district called ‘Mixed Use – Residential Senior & Commercial,’ to allow for senior housing and retail to be built.”

She was also asked for the specific location and if it will be a conversion of existing space at the Ygnacio Center Office Complex which Hall Equities Group acquired last year or in an existing landscaped area on Northern California Blvd. Murphy shared that the location is the landscaped area “but also includes the office buildings on the corner.”

Asked why they chose the initiative process instead of submitting the project through the normal city approval process Murphy responded, “The initiative process allows us to ask the voters directly, which we are doing. The voters get to decide directly if they agree with the concept. If they do, we will prepare and submit a project application that will follow the normal City approval process for the site considering the base zoning.  We think this will be a more certain, efficient and quicker process.”

Community Meetings April 27

To learn more about the Walnut Creek Senior Housing Transit Village Initiative visit www.wcseniorhousing.com or attend a community meeting.

DATE: Monday, April 27, 2026

TIME: 10 AM–12 PM

LOCATION: Rossmoor – Hillside Clubhouse (Diablo Room) – Located at 3400 Golden Rain Road, Walnut Creek

The events are drop-in. Light bites and refreshments will be provided.

About Hall Equities Group

Hall Equities Group (HEG) is a private, full-service real estate investment, development, and property management company representing the interests of select private investors and company-sponsored group investment entities. Hall Equities Group is a portfolio company of Walnut Creek, California based entrepreneur, Mark D. Hall, who also owns and operates affiliated company’s including, ZMC Hotels, National SportsMall Realty and COPA Innovation Laboratories.

The company was founded by Hall’s father, former Walnut Creek City Councilman Merle Hall in 1962 as a real estate brokerage business. He then renamed it to Merle D. Hall Company in 1976 and refocused on investment brokerage and property management for private investors. Mark joined Merle in 1986 and purchased 50% of the company’s stock and assumed control of operations in 1992. In 1999 Mark acquired the remaining 50% ownership of the company and renamed it to Hall Equities Group.

Ad paid for by Friends of Walnut Creek Senior Housing; Ad committee’s top funder Hall Equities Group and Affiliated Entities

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

City of Martinez announces opportunity to revitalize historic Old Train Depot

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The Martinez Old Train Depot on Marina Street in downtown. Photo: City of Martinez

Proposals due April 26, 2026

By Eve Kearney, Executive Assistant, City Manager’s Office, City of Martinez

Martinez, CA — The City of Martinez is pleased to announce the release of a Request for Qualifications and Conceptual Proposals (RFQ/P) inviting experienced development teams to submit proposals for the revitalization of the Old Train Depot, located at 401 Marina Vista Avenue.

Constructed in 1877, the Old Train Depot served as Martinez’s first train station and remains a recognizable landmark within the community. Positioned between downtown Martinez and the Marina Waterfront, the building represents a unique opportunity to rehabilitate and reactivate an important historic structure while supporting the continued economic vitality of the downtown area.

The Old Train Depot occupies the most central, visible location in Downtown Martinez. The site has a rich history and it is envisioned that the building would be transformed into a destination – with some combination of food, retail, cultural, and/or activated uses – that will help increase tourism and visitors to the Downtown. In 2026, the City will be seeking a development team that has the appropriate expertise, financing, approach, and vision to successfully bring the property back to active use.

Martinz Old Train Depot location map. Source: City of Martinez

Over the past year, the City has taken several steps to prepare the site for redevelopment, including completing compliance with the State’s Surplus Land Act, conducting a Historic Resource Evaluation, obtaining a Preliminary Title Report, and advancing hazardous materials remediation.

The City is now seeking development teams with expertise in historic rehabilitation and adaptive reuse to restore the building and introduce a vibrant use that complements the downtown and enhances the visitor experience. Potential proposals should demonstrate a thoughtful approach to preserving the character of the structure while activating the site with a viable and engaging use.

“This building represents an important piece of Martinez’s history,” said Mayor Brianne Zorn. “Revitalizing the Old Train Depot gives us the opportunity to preserve a landmark while creating a new destination that supports our local businesses and strengthens connections between Downtown and the waterfront.”

Historic photo of the Martinez Old Train Depot. Source: City of Martinez

Site History

The Old Train Depot was built to provide passenger and freight service for the newly arrived Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1916, the building was enlarged to handle booming railway freight business. When the Martinez-Benicia Bridge opened in 1930, the Depot took on increased prominence as a major stop along national railway routes, and it saw an especially high volume of military traffic during World War II. In 1941 the building experienced a major remodel and modernization. In 1982, the building was remodeled one final time to adapt it to Amtrak service. In 2001 a new Amtrak station opened two blocks west of the Old Train Depot; and since 2001 the Old Train Depot has been vacant and periodically used for storage.

The RFQ/P process will allow the City to evaluate both the qualifications of development teams and their conceptual vision for rehabilitating and activating the building. Following review of proposals, the City may enter into negotiations with a selected development team to further advance plans for the property.

The RFQ/P will be available on the City of Martinez website beginning March 11, 2026, with proposals due April 26, 2026.

Interested parties can learn more about the opportunity by visiting: https://www.cityofmartinez.org/departments/planning/major-development-projects/old-train-depot

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

MTC, ABAG release proposed final Plan Bay Area 2050+

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Source: Plan Bay Area

Proposed Plan for housing, transportation, the economy and environment in the nine counties will go to committee for review on Friday, March 13

Offers strategies, investments and outcomes for Contra Costa County

By John Goodwin, Assistant Director of Communications & Leslie Lara-Enríquez Assistant Director, Public Engagement, Metropolitan Transportation Commission

After nearly three years of public discussion, technical analysis and refinement, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments last Friday released the proposed final Plan Bay Area 2050+ and the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Plan Bay Area 2050+.

Plan Bay Area 2050+ is the latest long-range plan to guide growth and investment across the region’s nine counties and 101 cities. The plan seeks to advance an integrated vision for a Bay Area that is affordable, connected, diverse, healthy and vibrant for all by 2050. It focuses on the four areas of

The Contra Costa Centre Transit Village. Photo credit: Karl Nielsen

The plan and its related reports will be presented for review and consideration at a joint meeting of the MTC Planning Committee with the ABAG Administrative Committee on Friday, March 13, before the documents are referred to their respective approving bodies. The ABAG Executive Board will consider certification of the Final EIR and adoption of the final plan at its March 19 meeting. At its March 25 meeting, MTC will consider certifying the Final EIR and adopting the final plan, as well as adopting the accompanying Air Quality Conformity Analysis and an amendment to the 2025 Transportation Improvement Program.

The release of the proposed final Plan Bay Area 2050+ follows a 59-day public comment period for the Draft Plan and the Draft EIR that closed on December 18, 2025. The proposed final plan and Final EIR have been updated to reflect feedback received during the public comment period.

The map above shows Contra Costa County’s Growth Geographies, which are areas identified in Plan Bay Area 2050+ to help guide future housing and job growth. These areas are designated by local jurisdictions or based on their proximity to transit and access to opportunity. Source: MTG/ABAG

The Plan includes Partner Resources: Regional Tools for Local Action that local jurisdictions and partner agencies can use to develop plans, seek funding and take action to make a better Bay Area. It offers a fact sheet for each county, including Contra Costa, which spotlights strategies, investments and outcomes.

Plan Bay Area 2050+ is the latest long-range regional plan for the nine-county Bay Area. The plan lays out a series of funding and policy strategies that can create a more affordable, connected, diverse, healthy and vibrant future for all Bay Area residents in 2050. Unique to this plan cycle is the parallel Transit 2050+ planning effort, which culminated in the first-of-its-kind plan to re-envision the future of Bay Area public transit, in partnership with transit agencies across the region.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

MTC, ABAG release draft of new long-range plan for Bay Area

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Source: Plan Bay Area

Public comment through Dec. 18 on Draft Plan Bay Area 2050+, EIR for housing, transportation, economic development and the environment

East Bay Webinar Nov. 5

By Veronica Cummings, Principal Public Information Officer, Engagement & John Goodwin, Assistant Director of Communications, Metropolitan Transportation Commission 

After more than two years of public discussion, technical analyses and refinement, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) today released Draft Plan Bay Area 2050+ and the Plan Bay Area 2050+ Draft Environmental Impact Report for public review and comment.

Draft Plan Bay Area 2050+ charts a course for the future of the Bay Area over the next 25 years. Designed to guide growth and investment across the region’s nine counties and 101 cities, the latest plan aims to advance an integrated vision for a Bay Area that is affordable, connected, diverse, healthy and vibrant for all. The plan contains 35 strategies for public policies and investments that can be implemented to help the Bay Area build more homes, reduce commute times, and create vibrant downtowns and natural areas for everyone to enjoy. These strategies also aim to keep people safe from natural hazards, support a strong economy and provide stable housing.

Unique to this plan cycle is Transit 2050+, a parallel and first-of-its-kind planning effort conducted by MTC and ABAG in partnership with Bay Area transit agencies to re-envision the future of Bay Area public transit.

Plan Bay Area includes all nine Bay Area counties and 101 cities. Source: Plan Bay Area

MTC and ABAG have scheduled a series of webinars and public hearings for comment on Draft Plan Bay Area 2050+ and associated supplemental reports, as well as on the Draft Environmental Impact Report for Plan Bay Area 2050+. All interested people, agencies and other organizations are encouraged to attend a webinar or public hearing, where they can ask questions and offer comments on these documents. Full event details are listed below:

  • Webinar #1 — North Bay
    Wednesday, October 29, 2025
    12-1:30 p.m.
    Zoom link: https://bit.ly/northbaywebinar
  • Webinar ID: 892 3077 8001
  • Passcode: 256814
  • 888-788-0099 US Toll Free
  • Webinar #2 — West Bay
    Wednesday, October 29, 2025
    6-7:30 p.m.
    Zoom link: https://bit.ly/westbaywebinar
    Webinar ID: 831 4140 5598
    Passcode: 096944
    888-788-0099 US Toll Free
  • Webinar #3 — South Bay
    Thursday, October 30, 2025
    6-7:30 p.m.
    Zoom link: https://bit.ly/southbaywebinar
    Webinar ID: 822 2561 7467
    Passcode: 356845
    888-788-0099 US Toll Free
  • Webinar #4 — East Bay
    Wednesday, November 5, 2025
    6-7:30 p.m.
    Zoom link: https://bit.ly/eastbaywebinar
    Webinar ID: 869 8283 4999
    Passcode: 682098
    888-788-0099 US Toll Free

In addition to these webinars, MTC and ABAG will host three public hearings around the Bay Area to provide opportunities for all interested agencies, organizations and individuals to comment on the Draft Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Report. The full list of hearings is as follows:

  • Public Hearing #2 — Fremont
    Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 6 p.m.
    Olive Hyde Art Center and Gallery -or- Zoom
    123 Washington Boulevard, Fremont
    Zoom link: https://bit.ly/drafthearing2
    Webinar ID: 875 7625 3306
    Passcode: 178983
    888 788 0099 US Toll Free
  • Public Hearing #3 — Novato
    Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 6 p.m.
    Best Western Plus Novato Oaks Inn -or- Zoom
    215 Alameda del Prado, Novato
    Zoom link: https://bit.ly/drafthearing3
    Webinar ID: 898 0347 9624
  • Passcode: 129009
  • 888 788 0099 US Toll Free

Interested Bay Area residents, agencies and organizations also are encouraged to view and comment on the draft plan online at planbayarea.org/draftplan. Comments will be reviewed by officials from both ABAG and MTC as they consider the adoption of Final Plan Bay Area 2050+, slated for early 2026.

Written comments will be accepted via mail to MTC Public Information Office, Attn: Plan Bay Area -or- Draft EIR Comments, 375 Beale Street, Suite 800, San Francisco, CA, 94105; or via email (Draft Plan Bay Area 2050+ inbox: info@planbayarea.org; Draft EIR inbox: eircomments@bayareametro.gov). Comments by phone can made at (415) 778-2292.

The comment period for all documents will close Dec. 18, 2025, at 5 p.m.

Questions? Visit planbayarea.org, email info@planbayarea.org or call (415) 778-6757.

Accessible Meetings

Do you need an interpreter or any other assistance to participate? Please call (415) 778-6757. For TDD or hearing impaired, call 711, California Relay Service, or (800) 735-2929 (TTY), (800) 735-2922 (voice) and ask to be relayed to (415) 778-6700. We require at least three working days’ notice to accommodate requests.

¿Necesita un intérprete u otra asistencia para participar? Por favor llámenos con tres días de anticipación al (415) 778-6757. Para telecomunicaciones para personas sordas y discapacitadas, favor de llamar al 711, el Servicio de Retransmisión de California (CRS) para TTY/VCO/HCO a Voz o para Voz a TTY/VCO/HCO al (800) 855-3000 y pedir que lo retrasmitan al (415) 778-6700.

您是否需要口譯或任何其他協助才能參加？請致電（415）778-6757。若需使用TDD或為聽障人士人士，請致電711，加州轉接服務，或（800）735-2929（TTY），（800）735-2922（語音），然後要求轉接至（415）778-6700。請至少提前三個工作日提出申請，以便我們能為您提供適當的口譯安排。

ABAG is the council of governments and the regional planning agency for the 101 cities and towns, and nine counties of the Bay Area. MTC is the transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.

Contra Costa Water District working to repair canal for $1 billion

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The Contra Costa Water District Canal Replacement Project includes 20 miles of the waterway. Photo: CCWD

Lake Shasta is source of all water, Los Vaqueros Reservoir will not be expanded, CoCoTax members learn

By Allen D. Payton

During the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association Members and Leaders monthly luncheon in May, Contra Costa Water District Board President, Ernesto Avila provided an update on the district’s current work and plans. They include repairing 20 of the 48-mile canal at a cost of $1 billion, keeping water rates as low as possible and expanding service to keep up with growth.

The district includes the Central County cities and communities of Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Clayton, Pacheco, Clyde, Port Costa and portions of Walnut Creek, and in East County, the cities and communities of Pittsburg, Antioch, Oakley, Bay Point, and portions of Brentwood.

CCWD Board President Ernesto Avila provides an update during the CoCo Taxpayers Association luncheon on May 23, 2025. Photo: Allen D. Payton

Half of the district’s water is provided to treated water customers and the other half to raw water customers, Avila stated and then spoke about ensuring adequate “water supply during disasters such as fire and earthquake emergencies.”

“When PG&E outages occur all of our tanks go full,” he shared. “Water only stays sweet for six to seven days to meet the water quality requirements of the state.”

“Lake Shasta is where we get all of our water from through the Central Valley Project,” he continued. “It’s currently 94% full.”

The district owns Los Vaqueros Reservoir for storage, which is currently 93% full. But “we can’t just draw water whenever we want,” Avila stated. “All of our intakes are screened to protect fish.”

“We are out of our drought,” Avila added. However, “during the drought there were no constraints on water supply for development and growth.”

Source: CCWD

Canal Replacement Program

There have been “landslides on the west side of the canal and repairs can cost millions,” he stated and spoke of the district’s “Canal Replacement Program” which will cost “$1 billion”.

“Nobody likes to raise rates,” Avila continued. “We’ve replaced four miles, so far and have 16 miles to go. It will be a pipeline”

Asked what happens to the pipe during an earthquake he said, “If it’s an older pipe, it will probably crack. We’re looking at a very ductile pipe that can move easily.”

Asked if there will be solar panels over the canl

Click here to learn more about the Contra Costa Canal.

Water Supply

Avila then spoke about providing enough water to meet the demands of residential growth including “redevelopment of the Concord Naval Weapons station” where “15,000 homes” are projected to be built.

“Ten percent of the district’s water is provided through recycling,” he stated. “We want to bump that up to fifteen percent.”

Budget & Water Costs to Users

“Energy costs have been the greatest increases from 2020 to 2024, medical coverage is second greatest,” he shared. Those are followed by “pension and OPEB (other post employee benefit) liabilities.”

“The average customer spends about $3.00 per day for water,” Avila stated. “The cost is 1.3 cents per gallon per day.”

He compared that to EBMUD rates which are at 2.0 cents per gallon.

Contra Costa Water District Production Costs. Source: CCWD

According to the slide show from his presentation, costs to the district for water production include the following:

INVESTMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE – Pipeline Renewal, Canal Replacement, Water Treatment Plant Upgrades;

PURCHASED WATER

WATER SUPPLY AND RESOURCE PROTECTION – Water Supply Planning, Watershed Management, Recreation;

SYSTEM OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE – Water Treatment, Water Delivery, Leak Inspection and Repair;

ADMINISTRATION – Human Resources, Safety, Accounting and Payroll;

CUSTOMER CARE – Customer Service, Billing, Water Efficiency Support, and Public Affairs; and

COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT K-12 Water Education and Field Trips, and Internships.

The district as an AAA Bond Rating which keeps interest costs on bonds down, Avila shared.

He was then asked about “money going to DEI programs. I this something you should be doing anymore?” Avila responded, “there are three employees dedicated to it. There are 317 employees which is 30-40% of the budget We have one person in Human Resources dedicated to it. We have a $200 million per year budget. Not even one percent is dedicated to it.”

“It’s about trying to enhance the culture for our employees to work together better,” he added. “We review it every six months. Our Master Plan is on the website.”

Asked about “EPA clean water requirements getting tougher each year” Avila spoke about “unfunded mandates we have to comply with. We work with various associations and collaborate on a national level as regulations are mostly at the federal level.”

“Our biggest concern is the issue of diminishing return on conservation,” he explained. “During the drought, people in our area reduced use by 25 percent while Southern California only reduced 2-3 percent.”

According to the chart in Avila’s presentation total water use has actually decreased over the past 17 years even though the population has significantly increased.

Source: CCWD

No Los Vaqueros Capacity Increase Due to Too Much Cost and Regulation, Offline for Too Long

Asked about increasing capacity at Los Vaqueros, Avila said, “The district spent $10 million on raising the…reservoir, for a cost/benefit analysis funded by the state. It was over subscribed with more customer demand than supply, 250,000 versus 120,000 acre feet.”

“But with so many constraints on pumping water into the reservoir, demand dropped to 50,000 acre feet then to zero,” he continued. “The cost increase with inflation went from $800 million to $1.6 billion, mainly from more material and labor cost increases, plus, engineering costs.”

Finally, Avila shared, “Los Vaqueros Reservoir would have had to be offline for six to seven years. It just wasn’t viable. They knew that, going in. The issue was negotiating supply from EBMUD and others” who “couldn’t guarantee any water.”

He also spoke about future supply including the proposed offstream Sites Reservoir project west of Colusa in the Sacramento Valley.

“In California, for every one million acre-feet of storage, there is eight to nine acre-feet of surface storage,” Avila stated.

Finally, in response to a question, he said, “Water from a canal behind a house is not grandfathered in if the home is sold.”

See Avila’s complete CCWD CocoTax Presentation 052325.

CoCoTax June Luncheon

The next CoCoTax Members and Board Luncheon will be held on Friday June 27, 2025, at 11:45 AM at Denny’s Restaurant, 1313 Willow Pass Road in Concord, and will feature Oakland Mayor recall leader Seneca Scott as the speaker. Advance registration is available on the CoCoTax website where you can pay online, or bring cash or check on Friday and pay at the door: $25 for members, $30 for guests. www.cocotax.org/event-6189658/Registration

About CoCoTax

Founded in 1937, CoCoTax leads the way in providing fiscal oversight of local government.  We actively resist unwarranted taxes and fees, discriminatory regulations, ill-advised public expenditures and government secrecy, inefficiency and waste. For more information and membership visit www.cocotax.org.

About CCWD

The Contra Costa Water District delivers safe, clean water to approximately 520,000 people in central and eastern Contra Costa County in Northern California. Formed in 1936 to provide water for irrigation and industry, we are now one of the largest urban water districts in California and a leader in drinking-water treatment technology and source water protection. For more information visit www.ccwater.com.