The long-running project dates back to 2006, when the City acquired the former Albert Wright Screw Company building<\/a>. In the two decades since, the effort has faced repeated setbacks and shifting visions. During that time, estimated costs have climbed dramatically\u2014from roughly $14 million in 2009 to more than $50 million today\u2014raising new questions about its viability.<\/p>\n To reassess the path forward, the City engaged strategic consulting firm CCS Fundraising<\/a> to evaluate potential operating models and fundraising strategies.<\/p>\n Community Development Director Chad Smalley summarized the findings, cautioning that the $50 million target is not currently achievable\u2014but that an incremental approach could still succeed.<\/p>\n \u201cBuild the organization first and then the facility\u201d<\/p>\n The recommendation represents a significant shift from prior efforts, proposing the creation of a hybrid City\u2013nonprofit entity to lead fundraising and programming before any permanent facility is built.<\/p>\n Establishing this entity would require an initial investment of approximately $350,000\u2013$550,000 over two years, primarily to fund an executive director position and begin organizational development.<\/p>\n Councilmember David Mourra described the challenge as a familiar \u201cchicken-or-the-egg\u201d dilemma\u2014needing a facility to attract donors, but needing donors to build the facility.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a big opportunity for us.\u201d Artist Community Weighs in<\/p>\n Members of the local arts community, including participants from the Arts Center Advisory Group, voiced strong support for the new direction.<\/p>\n Longtime resident and artist Vicki Jo Sowell framed the shift as essential to unlocking outside funding:<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a big opportunity for us\u2026 If we don\u2019t have a nonprofit, we can\u2019t go to Google\u2026 and ask for money.\u201d<\/p>\n Speakers also encouraged the City to think pragmatically\u2014suggesting the use of interim space for programming and meetings, and leveraging existing efforts like the Rotten City Cultural District and the Annual Celebration of the Arts to build momentum.<\/p>\n Cautious Buy-In from Council<\/p>\n Councilmembers generally embraced the \u201corganization-first\u201d approach, viewing it as a more realistic and strategic path forward.<\/p>\n Councilmember Kalimah Priforce noted that a city branding itself as the \u201cCity of Art and Innovation\u201d should take a more innovative approach to solving the problem.<\/p>\n Mayor Sukhdeep Kaur emphasized the need for accountability, suggesting clear milestones to ensure any initial investment delivers measurable progress. She also emphasized that the Arts Center\u2019s success depends on a broader, coordinated strategy\u2014linking funding, transportation, and local business vitality\u2014rather than treating it as a standalone project.<\/p>\n By the end of the discussion, Council expressed support for moving forward with the concept, including the formation of a temporary, non-fiduciary steering group to help guide development of the new entity.<\/p>\n Special Orders of the Day: EDAC and PAC Committee Annual Reports [53:57]<\/p>\n The Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) reported a strong 2025 focused on launching a BIPOC small business support pilot program, advancing a citywide marketing and branding initiative, and strengthening partnerships like the Emeryville Commerce Connection, which has grown membership and programming. For 2026, EDAC will continue refining the small business support program, launch a new website and marketing campaign to promote Emeryville as a hub for \u201cart and innovation,\u201d and focus on reducing commercial vacancies, improving business security, and supporting broader economic development efforts.<\/p>\n The Public Art Committee highlighted a 2025 centered on integrating art into everyday spaces, including the large-scale 40th Street streetscape project featuring community-informed installations, new murals and sculptural works, and ongoing programs like the bus shelter art series. The city also expanded its permanent collection and artist partnerships. In 2026, priorities include completing the 40th Street installations, continuing grant and residency programs, advancing restoration projects, and establishing a maintenance plan to preserve Emeryville\u2019s growing public art collection.<\/p>\n The Women\u2019s History Month proclamation recognized the historic and ongoing contributions of women across all sectors, with a 2026 theme centered on sustainability and leadership. Councilmembers celebrated local women leaders and entrepreneurs while also emphasizing inclusivity\u2014acknowledging all working women\u2014and reaffirmed the city\u2019s commitment to equity, opportunity, and community recognition.<\/p>\n PUBLIC COMMENT [1:23:06]<\/p>\n Community Grant Panel Gender Makeup Criticized<\/p>\n Several members of the public addressed the dais during the open public comment period raising issues of concern to them.<\/p>\n The first speaker opened with criticism of Emeryville\u2019s Community Promotions Grant program pointing to a lack of gender representation in decision-making. \u201cThe committee\u2026 was made up of only men\u2026 representation in these decisions really matter[s], especially when it comes to our public funds.\u201d<\/p>\n That critique framed the issue less as a single oversight and more as a values mismatch\u2014particularly in a city where women make up a majority of the population.<\/p>\n Longtime resident and committee member Vickie Jo Sowell shifted the criticism toward scale and resourcing, arguing the program is simply too small to meet demand. \u201cIt\u2019s still the same amount of money\u2026 about $78,000\u2026 and so many people [are] applying\u2026 we need to increase the money.\u201d<\/p>\n Together, those comments painted a picture of a grant program that is both underfunded and insufficiently representative, limiting its ability to equitably support community initiatives.<\/p>\n \u201cIntentions Must Align with Outcomes\u201d \u2014 Small Business Owner Says City Is \u2018Shutting Her Down\u2019<\/p>\n Public comment took a pointed turn as a local small business owner described what she sees as a disconnect between Emeryville\u2019s pro\u2013small business messaging and how its rules are enforced in practice.<\/p>\n Choc\u2019late Mama Cookies proprietor Empress Kehinde Koyejo, who began operating out of a live-work unit at The Emery development, said her business has effectively been shut down since December<\/a> pending what she described as an ongoing \u201cadministrative review.\u201d<\/p>\n Framing her situation as more than a one-off dispute, Koyejo argued it reflects a broader misalignment in the City\u2019s system\u2014where spaces are marketed for activation but constrained in practice:<\/p>\n \u201cHow can a space be\u2026 designed, approved and marketed for retail and food use and then treated as if those uses do not belong?\u201d<\/p>\n She also pointed to complaint-driven enforcement shaping outcomes:<\/p>\n \u201cThe outcome is no longer based on what is permitted\u2026 [but] who applies the most pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n Supporters described her operation as a low-impact, community-oriented use aligned with live-work zoning, but constrained by outdated definitions and inconsistent oversight:<\/p>\n \u201cA small-scale low-impact community space\u2026 is being penalized by outdated definitions and repeated complaints.\u201d<\/p>\n Speakers broadly argued that while Emeryville promotes small business and innovation, unclear rules and reactive enforcement can leave those same businesses at a disadvantage\u2014raising questions about whether the system is functioning as intended.<\/p>\n ACTION ITEM: 40th Street Multimodal Project Environmental Clearance Approval [1:42:30]<\/p>\n The meeting ended with discussion and vote of approval of the \u201cInitial Study\/Mitigated Negative Declaration,\u201d or IS\/MND, a wonky term for identifying environmental concerns and prescribing remedies for them. The document is considered less comprehensive than an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and does not address potential economic impacts of the project.<\/p>\n Within the 478 page document are 55 letters many expressing opposition or skepticism of the project. Among the higher profile voices to oppose the project include Nordstrom Rack, The owner of the Peet\u2019s Coffee property and a former BPAC and EDAC member who called the project \u201coverkill.\u201d<\/p>\n The idea for the redesign of 40th goes back years with the Planning Commission weighing in on the design in 2018. At the time<\/a>, many of the commissioners were against the idea of a two way cycle track. Commission Chair Steven Keller, an avid bike commuter, called cycletracks \u201cdangerous\u201d and warned that drivers didn\u2019t understand them. <\/p>\n Despite opposition by some, The initial design concept was approved by council in 2019<\/a> when it was composed of John Bauters, Ally Medina, Dianne Martinez, Christian Patz and Scott Donahue (None who are on council today).<\/p>\n 2017 \u2013 2021 Collision Data Questions Notion 40th St. is \u201cDangerous\u201d<\/p>\n Supporters of the project have typically portrayed 40th Street as \u201cdangerous\u201d with safety improvements needed. The available collision data appears limited, with no severe injuries recorded during that span.<\/p>\n None of the five collision \u201chotspots\u201d identified in the city\u2019s latest Active Transportation Plan<\/a> are along 40th Street (hotspots are defined as locations where three or more Severe Injury bicycle or pedestrian-related collisions occurred).<\/p>\n The five hotspots identified by the city include:<\/p>\n 62nd Street and Horton Street\u00a0<\/p>\n Powell Street and Christie Avenue<\/p>\n Powell Street and Doyle Street<\/p>\n Stanford Avenue and Hollis Street<\/p>\n 43rd Street and San Pablo Avenue<\/p>\n Bike collision data from 2017 -2021 shows a single collision that resulted in a minor injury near Hubbard St. Pedestrian data show two collisions (one near Emery St. and one near Adeline St.) that both resulted in minor injuries. There were zero \u201csevere\u201d injuries logged over this span.<\/p>\n Bike East Bay & Planning Commissioner Lead Charge for Project <\/p>\n One of the most consistent and vocal supporters of the project has been Planning Commissioner Sam Gould. Gould touted his involvement<\/a> with the project while running in a failed bid for a city council seat in 2024.<\/p>\n Gould cited incidents where both he and his partner were injured along the corridor in separate incidents with Gould\u2019s injury occurring at the Intersection of 40th & San Pablo Ave<\/a>. In a follow up reddit post<\/a>, Gould referred to 40th as \u201cone of the city\u2019s most dangerous corridors.\u201d<\/p>\n Opposition: Former Council members, Business and Property Owners, Seniors<\/p>\n While speakers in favor heavily skewed younger and male, the coalition of opponents were a broad array of seniors, business owners and longstanding members of the artist community.<\/p>\n Former Councilmember and AC Transit Boardmember Greg Harper expresses strong skepticism regarding the feasibility of proposed bus lanes, arguing that AC Transit lacks both the passenger demand and the financial resources to justify the infrastructure. \u201cIf you pass this, you\u2019re going to get three buses in each direction every half hour. That\u2019s going to be embarrassing.\u201d<\/p>\n Scott Donahue, who served on council from 2014-2022 and remains an avid biker, expressed his preference for making the parallel Park Avenue the preferred bike route pointing to fewer lights, ample tree shade and dramatically less traffic. \u201cIf somehow you could retain all of that fabulous public money and put the biking onto Park Avenue. You would solve so many problems plus be able to improve 40th Street and actually increase traffic flow.\u201d<\/p>\n Senior Civil Engineer Ryan O\u2019Connell, tasked with presentation and addressing council\u2019s questions, noted that 40th has been the direction staff has been directed to pursue and that changing this might impact grant funding already procured for the project.<\/p>\n Laura Vrostel, Senior Asset Manager for Federal Realty and manager of the East Bay Bridge Shopping Center, urged the City Council to balance transit goals with the economic health of the local business community. She reminded those behind the dais that businesses provide the sales, license, and property tax revenue that supports many of the City\u2019s services and projects.<\/p>\n Vrostel cautioned that although the shopping center was doing well, it was not without its challenges. \u201cWithin the last year or two, we have lost an anchor tenant due to security problems, and we fear we may lose another anchor tenant because of this project.\u201d<\/p>\n Tokyo Central, Sutter Health not accounted for in Traffic Counts<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Emeryville-PAC-Taryn-Walker-1024x577.jpg\")
Public Art Committee Chair Taryn Walker presented the body\u2019s annual report.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/public-comment-julia-drummond-1024x575.jpg\")
A public commenter criticized the makeup of the community grant subcommittee for being all men.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Public-Comment-Empress-Kehinde-Koyejo-1024x575.jpg\")
Choc\u2019late Mamma Cookie Proprietor Empress Kehinde Koyejo spoke out during Public Comment.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/emeryville-2023-atp-collision-hotspots-1-1024x792.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/emeryville-2023-atp-bike-collisions-1024x790.jpg\")
Bicycle Collision Data (2017-2021)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/emeryville-2023-atp-ped-collisions-1024x793.jpg\")
Pedestrian Collision Data (2017-2021)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Public-Comment-sam-gould.jpg\")
One of the project\u2019s most vocal supporters has been former BPAC member and current Planning Commissioner Sam Gould.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Public-Comment-40th-multimodal-greg-harper-1024x576.jpg\")
Former Emeryville councilmember and AC Transit Board Member Greg Harper expressed skepticism that passenger demand would warrant dedicated bus lanes along the corridor.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Public-Comment-40th-multimodal-federal-realty-1024x576.jpg\")
Representatives of larger businesses turned out to criticize the project.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/40th-street-multimodal-project-1024x768.jpg\")
Outreach for the project included these sidewalk decals.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/emeryville-mayor-sukhdeep-kaur-1024x577.jpg\")
Mayor Kaur questioned the usefulness of the traffic study that did not account for a Grocery Store at Bay Street or the 200-bed Sutter Health Hospital.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774204393_293_Fiona-250px-circle.png\")
<\/p>\n