Residents Urged to Challenge El Cerrito Library Claims

A well-known El Cerrito city booster has repeatedly written to us to complain about our blogs and to highlight what he perceives as “inaccuracies.” He is a reliable and vocal proponent of virtually anything the City proposes—whether or not it makes fiscal sense or improves services to the community.

His latest claim is that the City has already identified five alternative sites for a new library, including the El Cerrito Plaza location. Although we’ve asked him — more than once — to provide evidence supporting these claims he has yet to substantiate a claim. Each time, rather than producing documents or pointing to a credible source, he deflects and refers us to other people.

We suspected he would eventually make a bold proclamation about transparency, but would have no evidence, then point to city staff or the steering committee. So we had already asked Greg Lyman and City staff directly whether any such analysis of alternative sites exists. So far, no one has been able to provide a single document or analysis that outlines alternative locations, their costs, or any comparative evaluation.

This lack of transparency is not a minor detail. When a city proposes a significant capital project that could affect residents for decades, residents deserve more than vague assurances and shifting references. We deserve actual data — location options, cost estimates, ongoing maintenance costs, and credible financing plans that don’t rely on another new tax.

📌 Fact Box: What’s Missing from the City’s Library Proposal

Key Element	What We Asked For	What We Received
Alternative Locations	List of all five alleged sites, with analysis of pros/cons	❌ No documents produced
Comparative Cost Analysis	Cost estimates for each site, including construction, land, and infrastructure	❌ No analysis provided
Maintenance & Operations Costs	Long-term cost projections for each location	❌ No figures or models shared
Correspondence & Reports	Communications with BART, developers, or negotiating agents related to alternatives	❌ No records found
Transparent Financing Plan	A credible funding approach that doesn’t rely on new taxes	❌ No detailed financing options disclosed

What Residents Can Do

Until the City provides a clear, transparent, and publicly available analysis of:

• Cost – Total project costs and financing mechanisms
• Location – All alternative sites considered and why they were chosen or rejected
• Maintenance – Realistic ongoing operational and maintenance costs
• Funding – Plans that don’t rely solely on new or permanent taxes
  👉 Continue to vote NO on any library funding measures
  👉 Refuse to sign petitions that move this poorly conceived plan forward
  The City owes residents honesty and transparency — not vague claims and unsubstantiated talking points.