From: [email protected]
To: Council, City
Subject: Cubberley dance pavilion
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 11:20:17 AM
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To: The Palo Alto City Council
My husband and I have been dancing at Cubbery Pavillion for over 10 years. We’ve had many dance lessons there and danced regularly on Friday and Saturday nights. It’s such a wonderful group of dancers and a great venue. I hope it can continue as a ballroom dance pavilion for many years to come! Thank you!
Katherine Williford
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From: Paweł Zawadzki
To: Council, City
Subject: Urging Council Support for Cubberley Community Center Modernization Date: Monday, May 18, 2026 11:59:39 AM
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i
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to urge the City Council to advance a ballot measure to fund the comprehensive revitalization of the Cubberley Community Center and designate it as a primary beneficiary of general use tax revenues.
The Cubberley campus is a vital hub for South Palo Alto, yet its 1960s-era facilities have fallen into deep disrepair. For years, residents in our neighborhood have advocated for its renewal, often feeling that the needs of this part of the city have been overlooked. As Palo Alto moves forward with increased housing density—particularly in the southern neighborhoods—the strain on our local infrastructure will only grow.
A modernized Cubberley is essential to meet these expanding recreational and community needs. Furthermore, upgrading this facility serves as an effective traffic mitigation strategy, allowing local families and seniors to access essential programs and classes without adding to cross-town congestion to reach northern facilities.
Please show your commitment to equitable infrastructure and the well-being of all Palo Alto residents by enthusiastically supporting this measure.
Sincerely,
Pawel Zawadzki
264 Scripps Ct, 94303 Palo Alto, CA
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From: Catherine Perman
To: Council, City
Subject: Public Comment to City Council May 18 meeting: Agenda Item 13 Cubberley Project Date: Monday, May 18, 2026 7:56:26 AM
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i
Public comment to City Council May 18 Meeting: Agenda Item 13 Cubberley Project Thank you for this opportunity to comment on the Cubberley Conceptual Master Plan. This plan includes many laudable ideas and design considerations. Thanks to all the contributors for their hard work!
My “Cubberley Time” is primarily at Zohar Dance Company and other dance studios at Cubberley Building L. I have been a part of the Zohar community since I moved to Palo Alto in 1984. Zohar provides a supportive and positive space which encourages everyone to find joy in dance. Zohar offers classes, space for rehearsals, performances, special workshops and master classes that are open to the local community.
I have been reviewing the Cubberley Conceptual Plan plan and its appendices to better understand how long term leasers will be able to sustain their activities and day-to-day operations during construction phases. In particular I have a personal interest in the 3 dance organizations with studios/performances/offices spaces in building L: Zohar, Dance Visions, and Dance Connection. The plan very briefly mentions finding transitional spaces for these types of organizations in PAUSD owned buildings. To quote the plan: “During construction, current program providers and tenants who occupy buildings affected by Phase 1 Construction will move to a temporary location which will be vacated by PAUSD prior to the project start” (see pages 49 and 52). That’s an admirable intention but without any additional information is it not really sufficient to assist the long term leasers.
A conceptual plan might not include specific timelines, detailed designs or step by step processes but should include content for major transitional events. These organizations rely on daily activities including: classes, rehearsals and performances. Interruptions to these schedules would not only be detrimental, but could in fact jeopardize the organizations’ ability to remain solvent.
I recommend that the conceptual plan describe possible processes that include long term leasers so that they can contribute to any additional planning. I think it would be prudent to include more than one sentence on how these leasers can start looking forward to their futures at Cubberley. There are several comments in the appendices that provide more details on the This message needs your attention
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needs of these dance studios. I would be grateful to follow up with the planners on this matter.
I appreciate this opportunity to speak to the City Council.
Catherine Perman
Palo Alto Resident
From: Diane Reklis
To: Council, City
Subject: Cubberley
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026 11:07:46 PM
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The most important thing we can do to prevent suicides is to Make Palo Alto Fun Again.
Rebuild Cubberley to preserve current programs, provide for future growth near San Antonio Road, and add joy to all of our lives. Our community centers should be welcoming and fun, not embarrassing and sad.
Diane Reklis
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From: edie groner
To: Council, City; GMCA-Discuss
Cc: Edie Groner; Gabe Groner
Subject: Remodeling Cubberly Community Center
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026 9:38:49 PM
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Dear City Council Members,
I encourage the Council members to move forward with a ballot measure to support remodeling Cubberley Community Center and it should be a priority beneficiary of the general use tax revenue. As a member of Greenmeadow, we need a renewed community center for those who live in South Palo Alto, and others from Palo Alto neighborhoods. The conditions of the buildings built in the 60's are in disrepair and in need of renewal. For years we have begged the city council to take action to renovate the Cubberley campus and felt that our needs were being neglected by the city. Our seniors in the South of Palo Alto utilize this Cubberley Community Center . With developments in housing increasing in South Palo Alto, it is important for the city to have sufficient recreation needs met at Cubberley Community Center. Traffic will increase in the city with housing developments which means that a rejuvenated Cubberley Community Center will make it easier for young people and seniors to access Cubberley without having to go to the north part of the city for classes and programs.
I encourage each member of the council to enthusiastically support this ballot measure by showing that you care about the well being of Palo Alto residents of both the south and north of the city who will utilize this facility.
Sincerely,
Edie Groner
230 Pakside Dr.
Palo Alto, CA 9306
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From: Stephanie Sharron
To: Council, City
Cc: Jeff Hickman
Subject: Cubberley
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026 8:45:33 PM
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Dear City Council:
Please vote to purchase the additional 7 acres of the 35-acre Cubberley site from the school district for $65.5 million. Please don't lose this opportunity. We need a community center in South Palo Alto ASAP.
Thank you so much.
Best,
Stephanie Sharron
343 Shasta Dr
Palo Alto CA 94306
From: arl mock
To: Council, City
Subject: Keep Pavilion as a gym!
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026 7:16:39 PM
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To the Palo Alto council members,
I have been dancing at the Pavilion for years.
My primary doctor, Ganna Baetge has encouraged me to "KEEP ON DANCING".
The recent (May 2026) result of my bone density scan test showed an increased bone mineral density since the last test was taken in 12-18-23 and did not take any prescribed drugs for bone density.
Ganna had remarked that it was the FIRST time that a patient of her made this remarkable improvement in increasing bone mineral density.
Also being in that I am physically active, especially in dancing had prevented a recommended hip surgery in 2018.
We need to keep the Pavilion as a gym and not another theater so that our community can continue to have a place that will provide wellness in mental and physical health, as well as to maintain a good standard of living filled with a lifetime full of joyful and healthy life for all.
Sincerely,
Arlene Mock
Palo Alto resident since 1969
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From: [email protected]
To: Council, City
Cc: spencecovey
Subject: Cubberley Pavilion should remain as is.
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026 5:13:50 PM
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i
Please not the following:
1. I have been attending ballroom classes at Cubberley Pavilion since 1990 or 36 years. Prior to Covid the place use to be packed on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Ballroom dancing took a major blow when Covid hit but is slowly making a comeback.
It's so nice to see people returning to such a great activity as ballroom dancing. It's the only real ballroom to go to between San Jose and San Francisco!
2. A few weeks back the Pavilion was closed for floor refinishing and the dance took place in a gym about 100' just north of the Pavilion. The gym had no acoustic qualities like the Pavilion and it was a total disaster. No one could hear the instructors, the echo's were unimaginable and the music quality was horrible. The Pavilion on the other hand has a domed ceiling, excellent acoustic properties and a very large dance floor. I have read it is the largest dance floor in California.
3. Ballroom dancing is an asset to the community. The people that go are high quality people that enjoy music, Waltz, Fox Trot, etc. In fact, Stanford University's ballroom students have put on many performances at the Pavilion and have appreciated having such a nice place to show off their abilities!
4. To tear down such a wonderful place at the cost of millions of dollars would be a huge mistake. The Pavilion is one of a kind type of ballroom. It cannot be replaced by holding dances in the gyms.
Thank you so much for your consideration!
Sincerely,
Spencer Covey
576 Maple Street
San Mateo, Ca.94402
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650 570-6400 Cell
[email protected]
From: Barbara Platt
To: Council, City
Subject: CUBBERLEY
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026 4:29:29 PM
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i
Dear Council Members
I enthusiastically support the City of Palo Alto adopting CUBBERLEY Master Plan
As a Palo Alto residence for 35 years, I have seen
CUBBERLEY decline Over the years
The proposed community partners of Avenidas, TheatreWorks, friends of Palo Alto recreation and wellness center, maker Nexus, and Palo Alto community childcare are important to the Greenmeadow community and the City of Palo Alto at large.
I want CUBBERLEY
to be the priority beneficiary of the general use tax revenue This project will have my support of time money and my vote thank you for your kind attention
Barbara Platt
490 El Capitan Pl.
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From: Sonya Bradski
To: Council, City
Subject: Please Purchase Cubberley Community Center from PAUSD Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026 3:29:09 PM
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Dear City Council:
Please vote to purchase the additional 7 acres of the 35-acre Cubberley site from the school district for $65.5 million. I think it will be easier to have one owner of the property to do the next step of the Cubberley property. Please don't lose this opportunity. We really need a community center in South Palo Alto ASAP.
Thank you so much.
Sonya Bradski
Greenmeadow Resident
(Next Door Neighbor to Cubberley)
From: Phyllis Brown
To: Council, City
Subject: Cubberley: item 13 on the May 18 Council Agenda Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026 3:20:03 PM
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Mayor Veenker and City Council Members,
I urge the City Council to approve the Conceptual Plan for the Cubberley renovation and adopt the CEQA mitigated negative declaration. The conceptual plan is very ambitious, but the three phases of implementation and the strong support from a variety of Palo Alto organizations that want a renovated Cubberley to be their new home makes it realizable.
Palo Alto deserves an ambitious renovation of Cubberley, a valuable community resource even in its current delapidated state.
Please do everything you can to purchase the necessary seven acres from the Palo Alto Unified School District. I understand that the ballot measure you are considering, authorizing the 1/2 cent increase in sales tax, is a general purpose tax and cannot focus solely on the purchase of Cubberley acreage and renovation of the community center.
However, it will be important for voters to trust that the City will use tax revenues for that purpose if the ballot measure passes.
I have reviewed the draft language for the CIty of Palo Alto Community Safety/Services Measure in both the January and the March polls and would like to see more assurance that the tax increase would support Cubberley renovation and maintenance over the years. Assuming the Council moves ahead with the ballot measure, I certainly will vote for it. But I will feel deeply betrayed if the funds end up going to maintenance of city streets and development of resources in North Palo Alto instead of to renovation of Cubberley.
South Palo Alto will be experiencing a population surge over the next ten years. A renovated, vibrant Cubberley will be central to the success of Palo Alto's growth in housing.
Phyllis Brown
From: [email protected]
To: Council, City
Subject: Cobberley
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026 11:37:17 AM
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!
Dear Mayor Veenker and council members,
I write in support of moving forward to improve the Cubberley site.
I write in memory and appreciation for community leaders like Aggie Robinson, Ray Bacchetti and many others who promoted the
common good and made this a great place for Nancy and I to live and raise our family.
I am and expect to be an infrequent user of the improved Cubberley site and write to explain why, nevertheless, I am a strong supporter.
The improved site will be a plus, not only to current users, but to the broader south Palo Alto area where much new housing is planned and I say this as a downtown resident with direct access to great amenities.
In particular, the Cubberley site and their next door neighbor, the Charleston Shopping Center, will be a vital and much appreciated destination for the many new residents planned in the San Antonio area.
I believe strongly in investing for the common good whether it benefits Nancy and I directly.
As a practical matter, I believe articulating the common good for this endeavor will be important to many voters, who like ne, will be infrequent users.
I also note that to achieve these common good benefits, future phases must move well beyond physical renovation to add a variety of
new facilities and activity areas.
Onward!!
Stephen Levy
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From: John Williford
To: Council, City
Subject: Concerns about Cubberly Proposal
Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026 9:27:46 AM
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Dear City Council Members:
I am very concerned about the proposal to spend millions of dollars to convert Cubberly gym to a Theater. -I’ve been dancing at Cubberly for more than a decade, and closing it for dancing will affect me and the more than 100 people who dance in a close community there each week. There is no reasonable alternative in the proposal.
We already have theaters at Lucy Stern and Mountain View.
This proposal would cost a lot of money and only harm the many people who rely on Cubberly for an important part of their social lives. Please turn it down.
John Williford
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From: Phil Mast
To: Council, City; Clerk, City
Subject: A TheatreWorks Supporter’s Perspective On The Pavilion Conversion To A Theatre (5/18 Meeting, Agenda Item 13)
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 4:34:23 PM
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!
Dear Members of the Palo Alto City Council,
I am a Barron Park resident and a longtime supporter of TheatreWorks. My wife and I have had season tickets for more years than I can remember.
However, after reviewing the proposal to convert the Cubberley Pavilion into a theatre space, I am writing to urge the Council to reconsider this plan.
While I support the arts, and TheatreWorks in particular, I do not believe this conversion serves the best interests of the city or its residents for several reasons:
Redundant Artistic Value: As a frequent attendee, I’ve looked closely at how this new venue would improve the TheatreWorks experience. The reality is that there would be no noticeable difference. Watching a production at the Lucie Stern Community Theatre is fundamentally equivalent to watching it at a converted Pavilion. We are essentially proposing a lateral move rather than a step forward.
The Critical Gym Shortage: It is no secret that Palo Alto faces a persistent shortage of indoor recreational gym space. Our Palo Alto parents don't want to drive their children to neighboring cities just to participate in soccer, volleyball, and other basic sports activities.
Efficiency of Existing Infrastructure: Even with the proposed new recreation center at Cubberley, keeping the Pavilion as a gym helps ensure that we meet current and future athletic demands. The Pavilion is already a heavily used, functional asset for our youth and adult sports programs.
Fiscal Responsibility: Converting a high-utilization gym into a theatre is estimated to cost tens of millions of dollars. As a taxpayer and an arts supporter, I find it difficult to justify such a significant expenditure for a project that provides no tangible benefit to the theatre-going experience while simultaneously stripping the community of much-needed athletic space.
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I strongly encourage the Council to preserve the Pavilion as a gymnasium. Let’s focus our resources on solutions that address our city's genuine deficit in recreational space rather than duplicating existing theatre facilities at a massive premium.
Thank you for your consideration of this.
Sincerely,
Phil Mast
Barron Park Resident and Longtime TheatreWorks Supporter From: Ali Vahedi
To: Council, City
Subject: Friday Night Cubberley Ballroom Dance
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 4:10:07 PM
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Dear Palo Alto Cirty Council Members,
This is Ali Vahedi, a software engineer. I have been participating in Friday/Saturday Night
Cubberley Ballroom Dance for the last ~12 years. Did not have any real dancing experience when I started. Dancing has become an enjoying hobby at later stage of my life, especially after
I lost my job. Dancing at Cubberley is managed diligently by people who care for the community.
On average attendees are more than 100 each Friday night, from all walks of life, culturally, financially, ..... The charge of $10 per night, which covers teaching sessions and
social dance, is affordable for many people.
Needless to add, the venue is used by many sports teams, especially the young generation.
Please consider keeping the Ballroom as is.
Thanks
[email protected]
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