District Compass

Welcome

This edition covers October public records for Merrydale affordable housing, Council transportation items and the Albert Park Library and Community Center survey. It also includes official Measure W information and remaining October community events.

Current Projects provides ongoing project background.

This Month's Highlights

• The Council authorized entering an exclusive negotiating agreement with Eden Housing for permanent affordable housing at Merrydale.

• The Albert Park project reached a community survey milestone, with results presented at the joint library and recreation meeting.

• The Council approved the Second and Fourth Street contracts 4 to 0 and unanimously adopted the bicycle and pedestrian plan.

• Official Measure W materials explain the proposal before the November 3 election.

• Fourth Street trick-or-treat, the Community Center Treat Walk and the Climate Action Forum remain ahead on the calendar.

District Dashboard

Albert Park Library and Community Center

Status: Community survey results presented.
Change since prior edition: October 15 joint meeting presentation.
Next milestone: Council consideration of the recommended team, targeted for November.
Official source: Survey presentation and next steps.

350 Merrydale: Interim Shelter and Permanent Housing

Status: Negotiating agreement authorized; shelter and permanent housing are separate efforts.
Change since prior edition: October 5 Council authorization.
Next milestone: Feasibility work and negotiation of potential development terms.
Official source: Council minutes.

700 B Street

Status: City's project page labels it a preapplication.
Change since prior edition: No verified new milestone included.
Next milestone: A revised or formal filing, if submitted.
Official source: City project page.

Second and Fourth Street Improvements

Status: Construction and construction management authorized.
Change since prior edition: Two October 19 approvals, each 4 to 0; I was disqualified from Council participation.
Next milestone: City's construction schedule and neighborhood notices.
Official source: October 19 meeting and project records.

West Crescent Drive and Fourth Street Signalization

Status: City's published timing remains conditional.
Change since prior edition: No verified schedule milestone included.
Next milestone: A dated City construction notice.
Official source: City project information.

Downtown Revitalization

Status: Community programming.
Change since prior edition: Upcoming organizer dates checked for this edition.
Next milestone: New public community engagement announcements.
Official source: Downtown event information.

This Month's Focus

Merrydale: from developer review to negotiating authority

September's Compass described the developer review process and an expected recommendation to the full Council. The October 5 minutes now record adoption of Resolution 15622, authorizing the City Manager to enter an exclusive negotiating agreement with Eden Housing. That is the verified change since the prior edition. Read the Council record.

The action provides authority to pursue development terms. It does not approve a housing development. The staff report explains that an exclusive negotiating agreement does not commit the City to dispose of the property or approve a project. Any later development agreement and land-use approvals remain separate decisions. Read the staff report.

The permanent housing requirement is also separate from the interim shelter. The report describes a County requirement for at least 80 affordable homes to receive land-use entitlements by June 30, 2028. That is an entitlement deadline, not an opening date. Separately, the interim shelter is planned for up to 65 people. Those figures describe different programs and should not be combined.

The City's next-step account calls for feasibility work, negotiations and community meetings on the housing design. Residents can follow that work through the Merrydale project page and City update.

Albert Park: survey input and the next decision point

The October 15 presentation to the joint Board of Library Trustees and Park and Recreation Commission reports 896 total survey responses. The survey was designed to help refine the building program. Individual questions have different response counts, so the total should not be read as the number answering every question. Read the presentation.

The presentation's next-steps slide anticipates Council consideration of the recommended XL Construction/SOM progressive design-build team in November. That remains a forecast for consideration. It is not a completed contract award or a confirmed meeting date. The project page provides background and a way to follow updates.

Other Council and Project Updates

Second and Fourth Streets: Council action

On October 19, the Council approved the intersection plans and specifications and awarded the construction agreement to Ghilotti Bros., Inc. It separately authorized a construction management, inspection and material testing agreement with Consor North America, Inc. Each passed 4 to 0. I was disqualified under California's Political Reform Act and did not participate in the Council's deliberations or either vote. Meeting record and recording.

The design removes the westbound Second Street left turn toward Marquard Avenue and restores the West End Avenue through movement toward eastbound Second Street. Official project report. For construction updates, neighborhood notices and project contacts, follow the City project page.

The City's published correspondence (PDF, page 4) includes my October 18 letter.

Citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan adopted

The Council unanimously adopted the 2026 plan update, 5 to 0. During that separate agenda item, staff discussed existing walking and cycling counts and future progress reporting. The plan guides priorities and funding applications; adoption does not fund every improvement. Meeting record and staff report.

Downtown housing

The City's 700 B Street page continues to label the proposal a preapplication. No new filing or approval milestone is reported in this edition. For that site and 515 Third Street, use the original project pages for submitted materials and planning contacts. 700 B Street information.

Measure W: official information

San Rafael voters will decide Measure W on November 3. The City Attorney's impartial analysis describes a proposal to increase the real property transfer tax from 0.2 percent to 1 percent. This is a one-time expense associated with transferring property, separate from the annual property tax.

The analysis estimates $6 million in additional annual revenue, bringing total annual transfer-tax revenue to about $7.5 million if the measure passes. The proposed tax is a general tax. The text includes oversight reporting and independent annual audit provisions. These are proposed provisions and estimates, not election results or guaranteed receipts.

The official ballot materials and impartial analysis and full measure text are available from Marin County Elections. Arguments for and against the measure are the views of their authors. For voting options, including conditional registration, use Marin County Elections.

Community Calendar and How to Participate

All times below are Pacific. Confirm the linked organizer information before making plans.

• Trick or Treat on Fourth Street: Saturday, October 24, 1 to 3 p.m., along Fourth Street in Downtown San Rafael. Look for participating merchants' signs. Organizer details.

• Community Center Treat Walk: Thursday, October 29, 4 to 6 p.m., Lonatese Garden at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street. The City lists treats, pumpkin decorating, face painting and games. City event details.

• Climate Action Forum: Thursday, October 29, 5 to 7 p.m., City Hall's third-floor conference room, 1400 Fifth Avenue. Topics include storm and flood preparation, sea level rise and electrification. The City page includes advance Zoom registration for virtual listening. Details and registration.

For public meetings, use the City's Council meetings page and each meeting's posted instructions. Review the agenda and staff materials before commenting; confirm the current in-person and remote options on the original meeting notice.

Looking Ahead

The City's published next steps for Merrydale include feasibility work, negotiations and community meetings. The Albert Park presentation anticipates Council consideration of the recommended team in November; no confirmed meeting date is reported here.

Election Day is November 3. Marin County Elections provides current voting and registration instructions.

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Current Projects | Community Resources | District Priorities

For nonemergency service requests, use the City's Report an Issue portal. For emergencies, call 911.

Mission and About This Publication

District Compass helps District 2 residents follow public decisions, projects and opportunities to participate. It is a personal publication by Eli Hill, not an official City of San Rafael publication. Thank you for reading and staying involved.