Attachment C
Cubberley Strategic Activation Plan
Stakeholder additions in italics: Public Art Commission, Parks & Recreation Commission, Cubberley Tenants, PRC Ad Hoc
Initiative Overview:
This timeline guides the strategic rollout of activations and enhancements at the Cubberley site in alignment with the overall project phases—master planning, community polling, and the November 2026 ballot initiative. By timing improvements thoughtfully, the project maintains public interest, reinforces key messages, and showcases progress when it matters most. This phased approach also helps balance staff capacity, ensuring efforts are focused and aligned with broader priorities at each stage.
Why Timing Matters:
Each phase builds on the last—deep engagement in 2025 lays the foundation, early 2026 focuses on visibility and council adoption, and the final phase ramps up public excitement and turnout ahead of the vote. Strategic timing ensures sustained interest and maximizes impact at key decision points.
PHASE I: Master Planning & Community Engagement
(December 2024- December 2025)
Goal: Build a community-driven, inclusive, and visionary Master Plan through robust engagement and feedback. The focus during this time period is for the community to participate in the Master Planning community meetings and polls. While staff capacity is limited due to the intensive work during this time period, some activation may occur, including:
CASP Open Studios + tenants
CASP Workshops (FY25= 18 workshops, 710 participants)
Tenant door painting, project information / QR code
Community canvases to be displayed on-site
Concert(s)
Movie Night(s)
Implement Wayfinding / Information Sharing Focal Points (bulletin board, display case, etc)
PHASE II: Awareness & Buzz Building
(January 2026 – March 2026)
Goal: As the Master Plan is now complete (December) and anticipated for Council approval in March, at this time it’s important to build public excitement and political will to support adoption by City Council. The focus during this time is to share the final Master Plan and build broad awareness, excitement and awareness. This can be done by activating the Cubberley site with pop-up events and appropriate physical enhancements that support the above goal.
Attachment C
Ideas include:
Launch call for ArtLift grant projects which may total $20,000 - $40,000 in grants awarded by the Public Art Program across Palo Alto, including commercial corridors and the Cubberley site.
oLaunch early 2026, work to be completed in Spring/Summer in Phase III oProjects could be temporarily mounted on walls, fences, ground, freestanding works, or performance based etc.
CASP Workshops
Tenant door painting, project information / QR code
PHASE III: Voter Education & Site Activation
(April 2026 – November 2026)
Goal: Anticipating approval of the Master Plan by City Council in March 2026, staff will then move focus on launching voter education, community partners may activate to champion the ballot measure, and City will continue hosting activation events to maintain momentum and excitement.
Ideas include:
Cubberley Day (historically March)
CASP Open Studios+ tenants (April)
New Halloween Event 2026 (Oct)
Tenant showcase events (multiple)
Display enlarged concept plans
CASP Workshops
ArtLift Grants (walls, fences, ground, freestanding projects, or performance-based projects. etc) (have existing funded)
Concerts
Movie Nights
Teaser spaces (pop-ups of things that will be in new buildings) New outdoor furniture