Council eyes half-cent sales tax to fund Cubberley revamp

"Proponents of a tax to revamp Cubberley Community Center came out in force tonight (May 18), to urge the council move forward with plans to OK plans that may lead to a half-cent sales tax on the November ballot measure to fund long-sought upgrades to the dilapidated center, despite lacking poll numbers."

"Council voted unanimously to have City Manager Ed Shikada come back at the June 8 meeting with plans to put a half-cent sales tax on the November ballot. The vote also included council OKing the conceptual plans of the revitalized community center, including renovating the pavilion and the current theater. The renovated pavilion would be used by TheatreWorks."

"Some residents who spoke asked the council to reconsider renovating the pavilion to serve as a theater. Members of the ballroom dancing group that has been using the pavilion for 35 years as a place for exercise and socializing for mostly senior citizens in Palo Alto expressed apprehension about moving to a different part of Cubberley as a result of the revamp."

"Richard Peskett explained the pavilion is ideal for ballroom dancing because it's large and dances such as the cha-cha and samba are much more fun when a pair can go across the dance floor without bumping into another person or the walls."

Proponents urged the council to move forward with plans for a revitalized Cubberley Community Center funded by a potential half-cent sales tax on the November ballot. The estimated project cost ranges from $300 million to $400 million and includes purchasing eight acres from the Palo Alto School District, which owns most of the 35-acre site. The council voted unanimously to direct the city manager to return with ballot plans and to approve conceptual revitalization plans, including renovating the pavilion and the current theater. The renovated pavilion would be used by TheatreWorks. Some residents raised concerns about relocating ballroom dancing activities, while only two people spoke against the plans, including a TheatreWorks subscriber who argued the pavilion should remain a gym.

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