El Cerrito is moving ahead with plans to build a new library at Fairmount and Liberty, near the Plaza BART station. At first glance, the idea of a modern library sounds appealing—who doesn’t want better facilities for families, students, and lifelong learners? However, upon closer examination, serious disadvantages become apparent.
This isn’t about opposing libraries. It’s about ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used wisely, fairly, and in ways that truly serve the entire community of El Cerrito. Unfortunately, this proposal falls short.
Who Benefits—and Who Doesn’t
El Cerrito is a city of hills and flats, ranging from just 20 feet above sea level to nearly 1,000 feet. That topography shapes everything about how residents access city services.
- Flatland residents near the Plaza will benefit most. Many can walk, bike, or use the Ohlone Greenway to get there in minutes.
- Mid-elevation residents may find it manageable but will often need to drive.
- Hill residents, who already pay some of the highest property taxes in the city, will benefit the least. With steep terrain, poor sidewalks, and limited transit, cars are a necessity. Without dedicated parking at the new library, the trip will be difficult if not prohibitive.
It’s an uncomfortable truth: the people paying the most will be the ones with the least access.
📊 Fact Box: Who Really Benefits?
El Cerrito Elevation Range: 20 – 934 feet
Flatland Residents (near Plaza BART):
- Walkable & bikeable access
- Direct Ohlone Greenway connection
- Benefit most from the location
Mid-Elevation Residents: - About a 5–10 minute drive
- Limited walkability
- Impacted but manageable
Hills Residents (highest taxpayers): - Driving is required due to steep terrain, poor sidewalks, and limited transit
- No dedicated parking at the library site
- Benefit the least, despite paying the most
Albany Residents (who will not be taxed for the library): - Flat, walkable neighborhoods directly connected by the Ohlone Greenway
- Easier access than many El Cerrito Hills households
A Library for Albany?
There’s another wrinkle. The Plaza site may actually serve Albany residents better than many in El Cerrito. Albany’s neighborhoods near Solano Avenue are flat, walkable, and directly connected by the Ohlone Greenway. It would be easier for an Albany family to walk or bike to the new library than for many families in El Cerrito Hills to drive there.
Are we about to build a library that Albany residents enjoy more than some of our own taxpayers?
Parking and Accessibility
The plan includes no dedicated parking. For Hills residents, that means:
- Circling already crowded shopping-center streets for a space.
- Competing with customers at Lucky’s and other Plaza businesses.
- Or simply skipping the library altogether.
Flatland residents will hardly notice the difference—they can walk or bike. But the lack of parking cements a two-tier system: easy access for some, and unnecessary obstacles for others.
A Pattern of Overpromising
El Cerrito has a track record of raising taxes while services decline. To move forward with a project that creates inequities in access, while asking residents for yet another financial commitment, is irresponsible. Our city should be leading with transparency, numbers, and fairness—not vague promises and glossy renderings.
Credit Where It’s Due
Much of the research and analysis behind these concerns was first shared by a concerned citizen on social media. Their work underscores what city leaders should have done from the start: engage residents honestly, show the data, and evaluate the plan from the perspective of all neighborhoods, not just those nearest the Plaza.
🛑 Don’t Sign the Petition
A library should unite our city, not divide it. Until El Cerrito leaders present a plan that is fair, accessible, and fiscally responsible, we should not move forward.
🛑 Do not sign the petition for this proposal. Withholding your signature sends a clear message: we will not accept another costly project that burdens taxpayers and leaves too many residents behind.
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 