Measure J Cubberley Renovation Ballot Measure
At a glance
Based on auto-generated captions; names and numbers may be misheard.
- What: Measure J, on the November 2026 ballot, to renovate and modernize the Cubberley Community Center. Public comment described it as involving a sales tax.
- Where it stands: voters decide on November 3. Council has approved letters of intent from nonprofit partners, contingent on the measure passing.
- Next: election results; if it passes, partner agreements move forward.
Partners
- Letters of intent already approved: Theater Works, Maker Nexus and two other nonprofits (captioned "Aanus" and "Heartfit for Life"); a letter of intent and term sheet with the Friends of the Palo Alto Recreation and Wellness Center.
- On 2026-10-19, an additional letter of intent with Palo Alto Community Child Care was on the consent calendar (it carried). Councilmember Lythcott-Haims said the group serves a large number of children through its centers and would invest in the renovation to expand child care; its executive director spoke in support.
Campaign comments
- A supporter at public comment urged a yes vote, saying the opportunity may not come again, and said the school district would receive about $65 million (per the speaker) for its facilities.
Related
- Cubberley Property Appraisal Release - October 13 vote to release the appraisals for the land purchase the measure would help fund.
Sources
- City Council agenda, October 19, 2026: https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=19174&compileOutputType=1
- Meeting video: 2026-10-19 - City Council Regular Meeting
Discussion time
About 6 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-19 - City Council Regular Meeting | 6 |
Log
- 2026-10-13 - City Council Special Meeting - Council voted 7-0 to release the two appraisals behind the purchase; see Cubberley Property Appraisal Release.
- 2026-10-19 - City Council Regular Meeting - Public comment urged a yes vote on Measure J; Lythcott-Haims highlighted the new child care letter of intent on the consent calendar.
- 2026-10-05 - City Council Regular Meeting - Council adopted a support position on Measure J with its November ballot positions; see Ballot Measure Positions.
- 2026-09-28 - City Council Special Meeting - Public comment both supported and opposed Measure J.
2026-10-27 - Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting
The Council liaison told the Commission the measure is on the ballot and described the renovation opportunity as unlikely to come around again soon.
2026-11-02 - City Council Regular Meeting
- Non-agenda comment urged support for Measure J; no council action.
- 2026-11-09 - 2026-11-09 - City Council Regular Meeting: a Council member reported the yes vote at 51.08% a week after the election with many ballots still to count; a public speaker also raised the measure. No Council action.