Letter of Intent for the Mutual Cooperation between the City of Palo Alto (hereinafter “ the City” or “CPA” ) and Avenidas, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization incorporated in the State of California.
This Letter of Intent establishes the mutual interest of the City of Palo Alto and Avenidas in advancing a long-term public-private partnership to establish dedicated space for older adult services at the Cubberley Community Center site.
Advancing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD), the City is master planning a 15-acre portion of the Cubberley site, dependent on City acquisition of land from PAUSD. The redevelopment of Cubberley presents a significant opportunity to strengthen Palo Alto’s community infrastructure and ensure access to essential services for residents across all life stages, including the City’s growing population of older adults.
Since its founding in 1969 as the Senior Coordinating Council, Avenidas has partnered with the City of Palo Alto to deliver essential programs and services that support the health, independence, and well-being of older adults. Through its longstanding agreement with the City at 450 Bryant Street, Avenidas provides social services, health and wellness programs, caregiver support, enrichment activities, volunteer opportunities, and community engagement that serve thousands of Palo Alto residents annually. This partnership exemplifies how municipal collaboration with a nonprofit service provider can leverage public investment with philanthropic support, volunteer engagement, and external funding to maximize community benefit.
As Palo Alto’s older adult population continues to grow, there is increasing need for accessible, appropriately designed, and geographically distributed space to support aging well. While Avenidas has operated the Avenidas Chinese Community Center at Cubberley since 2018, current facilities do not fully meet the needs of older adults in Palo Alto due to distance, accessibility, and space limitations. Establishing dedicated space at Cubberley would significantly improve equitable access to services, enhance safety and accessibility, and allow expansion of programs that reduce isolation, improve health outcomes, and support residents in remaining active members of the community.
The City and Avenidas now wish to collaborate and negotiate a long-term partnership to establish a dedicated older adult services hub at the Cubberley site by achieving the following strategic objectives:
1. Establish Dedicated Senior Services Space
Develop and construct or renovate facilities at Cubberley to create dedicated space for Avenidas programs and services, including social services offices, program rooms, gathering spaces, and administrative functions designed to meet the needs of older adults.
2. Explore a Long-Term Use and Management Model
Explore a management and occupancy model in which Avenidas would have primary and dedicated use of designated space to operate senior services, while collaborating with the City and other partners to utilize shared community amenities such as wellness facilities, fitness spaces, and multi-purpose rooms.
3. Develop Project Plans and Program Specifications
Collaborate in developing architectural plans, program specifications, and operational requirements necessary to support expanded senior services, including opportunities for integration with complementary community uses.
4. Explore Capital Funding and Fundraising Partnership
Explore a funding model in which the City and Avenidas jointly support the capital development of the facility. Avenidas may initiate and lead fundraising efforts to raise a substantial portion of capital costs through philanthropy, grants, and other external funding sources to supplement City investment.
5. Define Operational and Program Coordination
Coordinate with other City departments and community partners to ensure effective utilization of the facility.
6. Advance Equitable Access and Community Impact
Expand access to services for older adults throughout Palo Alto, and strengthen the City’s capacity to support healthy aging, social connection, and community engagement.
The City and Avenidas are interested in undertaking and completing this project at Cubberley in accordance with one or more future agreements subject to mutually acceptable terms and conditions. The City and Avenidas will endeavor to negotiate potential agreement(s) over the next six (6) to twelve (12) months, as practicable.
Elements to be included in future agreement(s) may include:
1. Terms and conditions of the agreement
2. Capital funding commitments, timelines, and fundraising goals
3. Roles and responsibilities related to planning, construction, and occupancy
4. Community engagement and outreach planning
5. Project schedule and planning milestones
6. Coordination with City departments and regulatory processes
7. Options for modification or termination of the joint planning process This Letter of Intent is not a binding contract between the City and Avenidas and does not establish a legal partnership or obligation. It is intended to facilitate discussion and planning toward future agreements that advance the shared goal of supporting Palo Alto’s older adults through expanded, accessible, and dedicated community space.
Signed by Kristina Lugo, President and CEO, Avenidas
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Date:
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Signed by Ed Shikada, City Manager, City of Palo Alto
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Date:
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September 21, 2026