Palo Alto City Council members on Monday heard a progress update on the Cubberley (also spelled "Coverley" in some materials) master plan and approved staff’s request to run an additional community poll and continue phased design work.

City Manager Ed Shikada and Community Services Director Kristin O'Kane summarized a multi‑phase concept that would replace or renovate portions of the Cubberley campus and add a Recreation and Wellness Center, performing‑arts space and expanded outdoor areas. Staff presented Phase 1 as the portion most likely to proceed on the timeline tied to a possible ballot measure; Phases 2 and 3 would follow if voters support a larger package.

The council’s ad hoc committee and poll contractor FM3 Research described a four‑poll program that will test voter support for different project scopes and tax mechanisms. Miranda Everett of FM3 said the second poll will run right after the November election and measure voters’ preferred project size, willingness to pay different household amounts, and reactions to packaging Cubberley with other city projects. "This poll is designed to test voters’ preferred scope of the vision for the project," Everett said.

O'Kane told council that the master plan emphasizes flexibility and phasing so programming can continue during construction. She said Phase 1 would focus on a new Recreation and Wellness Center sited where some existing structures would be removed, with renovated buildings retained for arts, education and flexible space. Staff said they would explore adding more surface parking in Phase 1 to address community concerns.

Council members praised the outreach and phasing. Several members urged staff to pursue naming rights, private partnerships and targeted fundraising, and asked the ad hoc to continue refining priorities so the ballot question aligns with what voters will support. Council also asked staff to return in December with poll results and updated cost and funding information. The work to add a fourth poll and continue polling in early 2026 was included on the meeting’s consent calendar and passed as part of the overall consent vote.

Staff also announced a three‑month series of family movie nights at Cubberley-themed site activations to maintain public engagement through winter months. The council gave staff direction to proceed with the polling plan and the master‑planning schedule (results of the second poll to be presented to council in December), while continuing community engagement and CEQA work.

Looking ahead, staff said the goal remains to return to council in March 2026 with a refined master plan and CEQA materials, assuming polling and funding analysis provide a feasible path forward.

Ending: The council did not set a final project scope or funding mechanism Monday; it approved the next round of public polling and asked staff and the ad hoc committee to refine cost estimates and fundraising options before the December update.