Poll shows a Cubberley tax would fail at the polls

"But council members are also planning to review results from a poll that ran from Jan. 5 to 12, which shows only 48% of voters support either a parcel tax or general sales tax to fund such updates. A parcel tax needs two-thirds of the vote to pass, while a general sales tax needs a simple majority. The poll was conducted by Fairbank, Maslin, Metz & Associates (FM3), a market research firm."

"For years city discussions about Cubberley revolved around fixing its aging infrastructure to meet earthquake fire and safety requirements, and replacing some of the rundown buildings. But then the council floated ideas about ambitious amenities that could be built there instead, including a performing arts center, wellness center and updated educational spaces. The renovations would cost taxpayers around $392 million."

The Palo Alto City Council is scheduled to sign an agreement with TheatreWorks Silicon Valley to build a two-theater, 40,000-square-foot performing arts center at Cubberley Community Center. Recent polling conducted Jan. 5–12 shows only 48% of voters would support either a parcel tax or general sales tax to fund Cubberley updates; a parcel tax requires two-thirds approval while a sales tax requires a simple majority. FM3 advised considering waiting until 2028 to seek a tax or bond to build broader support. Perceptions of need dropped from 55% in November 2025 to 36% in January, and about one-third reported seeing no need. Renovation estimates approach $392 million.

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