November 4, 2025
Economic Development
DATE: November 4, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Nannette J. Beacham, Economic Development Director
Craig K. Murray, Development Project Manager II
Subject:
Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Intra-City
License Agreement
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The City of Richmond Economic Development Department would enter into an Intra-City License
Agreement to receive monthly rent from the City of
Richmond Community Development Department in the
amount of $1,390/month for rental of 720 square feet of office space at 1600 Nevin Plaza. The City’s
Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Grant would
provide funding to lease this space in the TCC Project
Area. If the lease term is extended beyond 36 months,
monthly rent would be adjusted to account for Consumer
Price Index.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
City staff is requesting authorization to execute an
Intracity License Agreement between the City of
Richmond’s Economic Development and Community
Development Departments for lease of an office space
for use by City staff and local partners working on the Transformative Climate Communities grant program
within the 1600 Nevin Plaza Building, with a term
beginning November 1, 2025.
AGENDA
REPORT
November 4, 2025
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE an Intra-City License Agreement between the
City of Richmond’s Economic Development and
Community Development Departments to allow lease of
720 square feet of office space at 1600 Nevin Plaza at a rate of $1,390 per month, $16,680 per year, to serve as the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) office,
paid using TCC grant funds – Economic Development
(Nannette J. Beacham 510-621-1306/Craig Murray 510-
307-8188).
DISCUSSION:
In 2023, the City of Richmond and six (6) local organizations (together known as ‘Richmond Rising’) were awarded $35 million as part of the California Strategic Growth Council’s (SGC) Transformative Climate Communities Program to bring health, economic, and environmental benefits to the Iron Triangle, Santa Fe, and Coronado neighborhoods (Project Area) through June 2028, with program evaluation to continue through June 2029 (Attachment 1). Richmond Rising projects span a broad range of climate justice initiatives, including construction of new bike lanes, installation of free solar power systems for low- income residents, and green workforce development programs. Additional information regarding Richmond Rising can be found here: https://richmondrisingca.org/.
As part of the City’s Grant Agreement with SGC, the City is required to have an office in the Project Area to ensure direct connections with community members and organizations. This requirement includes office space for City of Richmond staff working on Richmond Rising projects, a meeting and class space for Richmond Rising programs (e.g., Youth Fellows trainings, TCC-related workshops), and staff an office that would act as a central hub for ongoing community engagement efforts. The Grant Agreement includes approved funding for rent, office supplies, and other standard office rental costs through the end of the grant period (June 2028).
Located in a highly visible and heavily trafficked location in the Project Area, and immediately adjacent to a regional multi-modal transit hub in the heart of the City’s downtown core, the 1600 Nevin Office Building (Office Building) is an optimal site for Richmond Rising office space. Approximately 100 square feet of the Office Building is currently occupied by the Richmond Main Street Initiative (RMSI). RMSI is funded by the Downtown Richmond Property & Business Improvement District (PBID) to provide key services to Richmond’s downtown area including business engagement, coordination with City Departments, and an active Ambassador program.
There is 720 square feet of space currently not in use within the Office Building and available for rent. Richmond Rising is seeking to rent this space for use as an office within the Project Area. The rental cost of $1.93/square foot were calculated using fair market rental value of comparable office space in the Richmond area; given that Richmond Rising would occupy 720 square feet of office space, total monthly rent is calculated to be $1,390.00 ($16,680.00/year). If Office Building occupancy exceeds 36 months, the rental
November 4, 2025
rate would be adjusted based on changes in the Consumer Price Index, and annually thereafter. Because the TCC project is a program of the City, an Intracity License Agreement is being used to document agreements of use and rental fees between Economic Develop and Community Development Departments (Attachment 2).
To prepare the office building for occupancy by City staff working on the TCC project, the City’s Information Technology (IT) Department has made necessary building improvements including network access and installation of cubicles and office furniture.
These and any necessary future improvements within reason would be funded by proceeds from Office Building rent from Richmond Rising and RMSI. Additionally, as part of RMSI’s current lease with the Economic Development Department, RMSI is responsible for general upkeep of the Office Building, including waste management and restroom upkeep. RMSI would continue to be responsible for these activities if Richmond Rising were to co-occupy the Office Building.
Conclusion
Co-location of the TCC office space with RMSI, adjacent to the multi-modal Bart/Amtrak station in downtown Richmond, will help activate this space and will encourage more local residents to visit the area and engage in City programs.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Site Plan
Attachment 2 – Intra-City License Agreement No. 2025-TCC-001