Council sends Casa Peralta matter back to facilities amid concerns over $566,000 assessment

Public testimony and council debate centered on whether the city should spend roughly $566,000 on a new, comprehensive assessment of Casa Peralta or instead prioritize limited repairs or transfer the property to a nonprofit steward.

Art Johnson, vice president of the San Leandro Historical Society, told the council the society offered to pay $20,000 to update a 2016 assessment and cautioned against expanding scope: “I ask that the council… narrow it to a net new investigation work, soil, hazmat, and exploratory testing,” he said. Multiple other speakers—both in person and online—urged the council not to spend half of the Casa reserve on another study that would not fund repairs.

City staff explained the proposed scope and said updated fieldwork was recommended because inspectors have found additional deterioration since 2016. Planning and facilities staff told council that earlier cost escalators produced rough estimates (hard costs in the range of $10 million plus soft costs), and that the new assessment would try to reduce surprises during construction.

After discussion, Council member Victor Aguilar moved to refer item 5e to the facilities committee for further review of disposition options, funding sources, and the project scope; Council member Dylan Boldt seconded. The motion passed unanimously with six yes votes and one member absent. The facilities committee will reexamine options including limited investigations, potential gifting to a nonprofit steward, and prioritization of repair work.

Council and public speakers asked staff to provide clearer cost breakdowns and to account for any prior monies earmarked or spent from the Casa Peralta account. The referral preserves further public input during the facilities review and avoids immediate commitment of the funds requested for the assessment.