Project proponent urges Alameda County to buy space or negotiate with lender after solar sale delays

Alan, a community member who presented an informational update to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, said protracted negotiations over a garage/space and a separate county purchase of his solar system left him paying about $20,000 a month while the transaction stalled. He said the county authorized staff to buy the solar system in August 2023 and that sale did not conclude until April 2024, and that his lender ultimately used the sale proceeds to pay down the loan rather than finishing the project build‑out he said would benefit the Oakland School of the Arts.

The presenter told the board he trimmed his asking price by $1 million so the transaction would be “financially justifiable” for the county and urged supervisors to either buy the property or work with his lender to avoid “a loss of everything that I have.” He framed the request as a test of the county’s ability to support equitable contracting and intergenerational wealth creation for historically excluded businesses.

Board members noted the item had been placed on the agenda as informational rather than an action item but expressed sympathy and encouragement. One supervisor told the presenter it was important he keep staff updated and provide requested documentation so negotiations could proceed. Another said timeliness was “of the essence” and urged continued engagement with county staff.

No formal action was taken on the presentation during the meeting; staff and supervisors said they expected staff to continue negotiations and follow up with the board as appropriate.