Emeryville details $31.6 million in near-complete CIP projects, flags stormwater and sewer needs

Mohammed Alloway, Emeryville’s public works director, told the council on Sept. 16 that the Department of Public Works has completed or advanced dozens of capital projects funded in the 2025–27 city budget and outlined priorities moving forward.

"We are here today to discuss updates to the capital improvement program as allocated by the 2527 approved budget," Alloway said, opening a slide-by-slide account that listed accomplishments and funding for infrastructure, facilities and mobility projects.

The presentation listed facility investments including installation of 10 EV chargers (16 ports) across three city sites at a construction cost of about $240,000, Civic Center conference room expansion ($70,000), and a design contract for a new corporation yard with a contract value of $659,000. Alloway said Civic Center carpet replacement cost $191,000 and exterior painting/window work and paving were implemented via two contracts totaling $475,000. A new Civic Center boiler has been installed and an air handler remains to be fitted; the HVAC contract is $816,000.

Public works summarized sanitary and stormwater work: a 2024 sanitary sewer rehabilitation project that repaired seven defective pipe segments cost $450,000; a city sewer laterals contract rehabilitated or replaced laterals at city facilities with seven replaced and three remaining (contract $270,000). For Powell Street specifically, early analysis showed rehabilitation in place estimated at $1.5–$2.5 million while realignment would be about $8–$10 million, with staff saying realignment likely exceeds available sewer-fund resources.

Alloway reported dredging at the marina removed about 15,195 cubic yards of sediment from the 11.3-acre entrance channel at a shared contract cost of $665,000, and a Caltrans grant-funded hydraulic separator installed in 2023 carries a $680,000 construction contract.

Transportation and streetscape work included a $9.5 million sustainable streetscape program with recent paving in the Triangle neighborhood, Hollis Street improvements, and the installation of more than 100 bike racks and 38 solar bus-stop lights. The Fortieth Street multimodal project, which the presentation said has received nine grants fully funding construction, carries an aggregate grant total reported at $31,500,000 and is undergoing environmental review.

Ryan O'Connell, senior civil engineer, updated the council that a $500,000 federal grant application for the Fortieth Street project "is still in the running" and is expected to be heard on Jan. 31; he said the city’s lobbyist provided that timeline.

Council members asked for clarity on public access to project cost breakdowns. Vice mayor Kerr and others requested a table showing per-project costs, grant sources and deadlines; staff said the approved 2025–27 city budget contains per-project cost data and agreed to provide additional public-facing breakdowns. Council members also asked when Caltrans would complete CEQA/NEPA review for Fortieth Street; staff said they hope for a December completion but noted review timing is not fully within city control.

Why it matters: council members and the public will rely on the CIP for multi-year planning and to understand which projects require further funding, environmental review or community engagement. The Powell Street sewer decision — rehabilitation vs. realignment — highlights a funding constraint that could affect residents and private complexes along the corridor.

Next steps: staff said environmental findings will be returned to council after Caltrans completes CEQA/NEPA work; staff also committed to publishing more detailed cost tables and grant timelines online for public review.