In El Cerrito, they’re calling it a library. But in truth, it’s a full-scale development project—wrapped in community language and funded entirely by parcel taxpayers.
The City of El Cerrito plans to build a new library, not as a standalone public building, but as the first-floor “condominium unit” in a six-story apartment complex across from the Plaza BART station. That’s right—this essential public service will be tucked inside a standard commercial retail construction project with all the limitations, risks, and long-term headaches that come with condo ownership. And while the structure may be owned by the City, it’s the taxpayers who are footing the entire bill—for both construction and maintenance.
Let’s be clear:
100% of the cost will be borne by El Cerrito parcel taxpayers. Not just to build it, but to staff it, operate it, and fix whatever goes wrong in a mixed-use commercial structure next to a major transportation hub.
This isn’t just about books and learning. It’s about a multi-million-dollar financial obligation that will live on your property tax bill for decades. The plan bypasses the City’s already-established El Cerrito Municipal Finance Authority—an entity with the authority to finance major projects without new taxes. Instead, the Council is charging full speed toward a new assessment district, knowing full well the cost is regressive, disproportionately burdens homeowners, and offers no meaningful relief for renters.
And if you’re wondering whether El Cerrito needs a new “community center,” we already have one. It’s called the El Cerrito Community Center, located on Moeser. So what is this new building really for? It’s a six-story development project with a public label and private consequences.
Meanwhile, the City’s unfunded pension liabilities continue to balloon. By the time this library is built, the City’s CalPERS obligations could easily top $120 million—an enormous financial weight in a city with declining reserves, downgraded bond ratings, and a history of fiscal mismanagement.
Here’s what residents deserve before even considering this project:
A detailed cost breakdown of construction, ongoing maintenance, and staffing. A clear explanation of ownership rights, responsibilities, and risks associated with condominium-style public infrastructure. Transparency around the Municipal Finance Authority and why that tool is being ignored. An independent legal review of whether a tax-funded project like this meets the requirements of Prop 39.
An honest assessment of long-term financial impacts on city operations, pension obligations, and service delivery.
The El Cerrito City Council may hope that calling this a “library” will inspire warm feelings and quick votes. But inspiration should never be a substitute for integrity, transparency, and fiscal responsibility.
If El Cerrito wants a library, let’s build one.
But let’s not do it on the backs of homeowners, through opaque deals and gimmicky development schemes.
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 
Actually the city of EC won’t staff it, the County will. The librararies are all part of the County. The County budgets to staff them, buys the books and the info subscriptions. EC will just be their landlord. It’s just a rental property for EC.
If the County thinks it needs another library in EC, the County should pay for it. EC could never actually afford to run a library so it’s to their benefit that it is a County service.
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We understand The County has a maximum amount which is less than optimal. the city had a budget to staff full time and they cut that budget. The blog could have been worded better so we appreciate your input
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I think the Municipal Finance Authority will be used and the parcel tax issued under Measure H is the template. EC City Council is desperate to relocate the library to the TOD location to complete their speculative real estate “downtown” area with the library being the anchor tenant (like a Barnes & Noble – see library needs recommendation) and improving the rental absorption rates for their developer partner. Why would the City have any reason to publish a needs assessment? The County of Contra Costa has all responsibility for Library programs and staff and all things that go on inside the 4 walls of the “Library”. EC has no expertise in a library operation or library management or collections or anything. Its simply a landlord. Full stop
Lets start a “Leave the Library Where it Be” concept to rebuild a bigger 12,000 two story architecturally significant EC landmark for the same cost per square foot as the TOD proposal ($1,000 sq ft). https://apple.news/AykQP_nzGTG-OnlbIr4RKuw EC already owns a library building and owns the property and the Library is operating quite well where it is. A bigger new building is needed to replace the aged historic library building and would be a source of Civic pride and more functionality. Managing and maintaining a 12,000 sq ft dedicated library building is much less cost, risk, and construction expense than the proposed 6 story 60 + units affordable apartment building site with all its parking problems and security questions. Remember Fairmont Elementary is only in session 180 days/year not including Saturdays and 20 yards away from the Library doors! Why deprive the students of that benefit? For whose benefit? There is lots of easy parking and access really anytime of the year. The City will abandon the current site and eventually sell it (it has no money to develop the library site) and the proceeds will go into the general fund.
But most importantly the City has no role in the CCC Library System and El Cerrito Branch other than the option to pay for additional 6,8, or 12, hours per week (see Library Lease). EC property taxpayers are already paying for the Library (see 2025-2026 CCC Library budget). The only responsibility the City of EC has is to supply a site, maintenance, security, janitorial. Full stop. So many of the statements made in the ballot initiative are false and misleading. Read Special Tax , Measure A, Measure H, and the Official Statement. These are the template documents for the library relocation.
On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 8:40â¯AM El Cerrito Committee for Responsib
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forgot the needs assessment performed over 10 years ago the consultant prefers Cody’s Books type of library rather than Barnes & Noble ! this assessment was for EC EC doesn’t operate the library CCC does they are silent on this library building issue and new programs being touted because of the new location the CCC Library funds everything its is all the domain of the County nothing to do with the City
On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 8:40â¯AM El Cerrito Committee for Responsib
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What about useing Barnes and Noble’s old location at the Plaza? It is a prime location and is readily available?
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Great choices They could also relocate temporarily while upgrading the existing site
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