Alameda County Transportation/Planning Committee Meeting – August 3, 2026

The Transportation/Planning Committee convened on August 3, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. The meeting featured two informational items: a proposal for a multi-use event center land transfer in the Tri-Valley region and an update on regional housing policies (Transit Oriented Communities and One Bay Area Grant). Public comments were received on both items and on general county matters.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bill Wheeler (founder/CEO of Black Tie Transportation, board member of Visit Tri-Valley): Expressed full support for the event center, noting that since 2018 the Tri-Valley has attracted over 133,000 sports and entertainment attendees and 41,000 hotel room nights without a centralized facility, while losing an estimated 40% of high-impact events. He highlighted the projected $120 million annual economic impact and 500 jobs.
• Joe Calabrigo (interim city manager, City of Pleasanton): Opposed the current financing plan, stating the city faces a structural budget deficit and the proposed JPA would capture approximately $1.6 million per year from Pleasanton. He noted the city council has not discussed or endorsed the project, and Pleasanton’s priority is a November TOT increase to address its deficit.
• Kelly (Alameda County resident, non-Tri-Valley): Expressed concerns about county general fund contributions, noting the combined $3 million annual contribution from Dublin and Pleasanton, a $360 million capital cost described as “luxurious,” the county giving up $20 million in land value via a 99-year lease, and a potential $10 million annual diversion from the county general fund through tax increment financing. Also worried that Danville would pay taxes without full representation on the JPA.
• Caller “Yay”: Made an unintelligible positive statement.
• Jim McDonnell (restaurant owner, former board chair of Visit Tri-Valley): Supported the project, stating it would bring economic benefits to small businesses like his.
• Kelly (public comment on non-agenda item): Criticized state housing mandates (RHNA), noting Bay Area jurisdictions are producing only about 13-14% of required housing in the current cycle and are on track for only 37% of the goal, with no penalties. Questioned whether the committee represents a subregion or the whole county.
• Kelly (on OBAG/TOC item): Urged support for the Niles Canyon Trail project ($300,000), citing the legacy of former Supervisors Scott Haggerty and Richard Valle.

Discussion Items

Tri-Valley Multiuse Event Center Land Transfer

• Presentation: Tracy Farhad (CEO, Visit Tri-Valley) and Dan Fenton (Managing Director, JLL Hospitality Advisors) presented a proposal to develop a multi-use venue on a 12-acre county-owned surplus site at Martin Ellie Way/Arnold Roll in Dublin. The venue would host indoor sports tournaments (3,000–5,000 seats), entertainment/performing arts, and corporate events. Key requests included:
  • Support for a 99-year ground lease (with an estimated $20+ million county land value investment).
  • $350,000 in reimbursable seed capital for due diligence (civil site work, design cost refinement).
  • Authorization to pursue a tax increment financing (TIF) district that would capture increased property value from the venue, with a portion shared with the county.
  • County interest in being a member of a future Joint Powers Authority (JPA) to manage the venue.
  • Support for an expanded tourism improvement district (beyond hotels) to include retail and related industries.
• Economic impact: Projected 60,000 incremental hotel room nights annually, 318,500 annual attendees, permanent jobs, and $120 million annual direct spending.
• Committee discussion:
  • Supervisor Haubert supported referring the matter to staff and the surplus property ad hoc committee. He cautioned that the county must avoid repeating past mistakes with professional sports facilities and wants a full analysis of the county’s historical partnership with Dublin (including the Emerald Fund). He described the project as “cautiously optimistic.”
  • Supervisor Miley agreed with the referral and suggested declaring the property surplus (rather than surplus exempt) to minimize legal risk.
  • Staff (Sandy Rivera, CDA Director) recommended staff work with the presenters to validate the proposal, then bring findings to the surplus property ad hoc committee (which is confidential), and eventually to the full Board of Supervisors sitting as the Surplus Property Authority.
  • Ellen Dalton (staff) noted that the remaining 7 acres of the parcel (D2) are not yet cleared under the Surplus Land Act; she recommended declaring them surplus to open all options.

Regional Housing Policy Update: TOC and OBAG

• Presentation: Aaron Tiedemann (Housing & Community Development Specialist) provided an update on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) policy and its connection to One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) funding.
  • Key changes: TOC compliance is no longer required for most OBAG 4 funds; instead, jurisdictions scoring 85+ out of 100 points will access a $45 million regional set-aside. The compliance deadline was moved to July 2027.
  • Unincorporated Alameda County has two TOC areas (Bay Fair and Castro Valley BART stations).
  • OBAG 1-3 provided $32 million for unincorporated projects and $215 million countywide; OBAG 4 is expected to deliver ~$70 million to the county.
  • County housing policies under the TOC framework: production (inclusionary housing, ministerial approval – planned), preservation (Eden Land Trust existing, mobile home park closure ordinance planned), protections (just cause eviction existing, anti-harassment ordinance planned). $2.1 million in MTC planning grants support this policy development.
  • A request for Measure W funds to meet TOC funding requirements is pending.
• Committee discussion:
  • Supervisor Miley (also MTC board member) noted the extensive regional debate leading to the TOC policy changes and expressed satisfaction that compliance is no longer a barrier for OBAG funds. He encouraged staff to continue efforts to achieve the 85-point threshold.
  • Supervisor Haubert asked about the timeline for inclusionary housing and ministerial approval ordinances. Olivia Ortiz (Planner) indicated an update is expected at the October Board of Supervisors planning meeting, with a community roadshow starting soon.
  • Conversation about mobile home park ordinance: staff considered it a preservation policy, though Supervisor Haubert noted it could also relate to production if conversions occur.

Key Outcomes

• Tri-Valley Event Center: The committee directed staff to work with Visit Tri-Valley and JLL to further investigate the proposal (land value, site conditions, financing feasibility) and then report to the surplus property ad hoc committee. The ad hoc committee will review and, if appropriate, recommend to the full Board of Supervisors (as the Surplus Property Authority) for further action. No formal vote was taken; the referral was unanimous among members present.
• TOC/OBAG Update: The item was informational only. Staff will continue developing the required housing policies and will return to the board with specific ordinances (inclusionary housing, ministerial approval, anti-harassment) in the coming months. No votes were taken.
• Public comment on non-agenda items: No committee action was taken. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:00 a.m.