SAVE THIS COMMUNITY RESOURCE!
Action Update!
The Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) is seeking public comments on the Paseo.
This upcoming Monday, September 9th, the Castro Valley MAC will be hosting their Land Use Meeting.
On the agenda is the Chair’s Request for Public Comment Regarding the Paseo.
The meeting is open to the public, so if you would like to share your thoughts and comments about the Paseo directly with the MAC board, now is the time!
We will have representatives present, equipped with our list of over 3,200 petition signers, the hundreds of comments we’ve collected, and bolstered by the overwhelming in-person support we’ve received.
However, a real-life, in-person presence would send a strong message to the board that what’s happening with the Paseo is not acceptable to the public.
Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council
Land Use Meeting
Monday, September 9, 2024
6:00 pm
You can participate in person at:
Castro Valley Library, Chabot Room
3600 Norbridge Avenue, Castro Valley, CA
If attending in person and you wish to speak on a matter, please fill out a speaker slip and submit it to the Chair as soon as possible.
You can also attend and comment virtually.
Links and instructions included in the agenda document.
The marketplace community needs your help!
SAVE YOUR PASEO!
IT’S UNDER ATTACK!
The Marketplace, County of Alameda, Slice House and neighboring property owners who are a party to the shared parking contract are being sued to prevent the shared use of the Paseo for outdoor dining.
We are urging you to speak up and HELP put an end to this nonsense.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
IN 2016, FIVE PROPERTY OWNERS, including the County of Alameda, contributed their land to create a shared parking lot and two shared community spaces defined as Paseos to be used for pedestrian access and outdoor dining to benefit the property owners and the Castro Valley community.
SHARED USED OF THE PASEO FOR DINING has been a requirement for the Paseo. To even be considered as a finalist for redevelopment, the Marketplace had to demonstrate how it would establish dining on the Paseo.
Craig Semmelmeyer, as the manager of the Marketplace (before he was removed), signed a lease with Robert Chau to lease Chau’s half of the paseo not in use. The lease wasn’t necessary because all property owners have dining rights on the paseo. IT’S IN THE CONTRACT recorded as a formal easement with the County recorder.
THE REAL KICKER is Mr. Semmelmeyer went to work for Mr. Chau and both are now claiming the lease was required to allow Marketplace tenants to provide opportunities for outdoor dining. This is false. The lease was to make sure unrelated “pop-up” vendors could use the Paseo.
Mr. Chau wanted a new lease for Slice House to use the Paseo for dining. When we said it wasn’t necessary any more because there would be no more “pop-up” vendors on the Paseo, HE SUED US.
THE COURT DEMANDED Mr. Chau sue the other property owners to the contract and SLICE HOUSE. All property owners have dining rights on the Paseo. IT’S IN THE CONTRACT.
AS THE LAWSUIT works its way through the courts, the Marketplace customers are to remain off the Paseo for dining purposes. We’ve been forced to remove the tables and benches.
THIS ACTION HURTS SLICE HOUSE, THE OTHER MERCHANTS & THE COMMUNITY!
We're fighting back.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Tell The Joint Committee!
Speak directly to the property owners involved in the lawsuit which includes the County of Alameda. Email paseo@cvjmc.com.
Let them know you want the Paseo restored for use for outdoor dining, and share with them what the Paseo means to you.
Sign Our Petition!
The petition will go to the Shared Parking Joint Maintenance Committee which includes the County of Alameda.
Spread The Word!
The County of Alameda invested $4,800,000 of your tax dollars to redevelop the shared parking and paseos.
These spaces are for you, your families, friends, and neighbors. Make sure they’re aware of what’s happening and ask them to join our cause.
Shop With Us!
And shop your small, independently-owned Marketplace businesses.
We’re in this fight, but we need support.
Don't Boycott the Neighboring Businesses
SHOP the neighboring businesses! The actions of the Landlord are not the actions of their Tenants. Our neighbors are local small businesses, too. They deserve your support.
Join the Paseo Posse Email List
COme to the Slice house Grand opening
SATURDAY, SEPT. 14th at Noon - Closing
All Are Welcome
FAQs
WHO OWNS THE PASEO?
The Paseo was once a driveway. Prior to Mr. Chau’s purchase of the Knudsen property, the Knudsen family contributed its land, as did the other property owners, to create a shared parking lot and paseo for community gathering and dining. Each contributing party has rights to use the parking lot and the paseos for dining.
Read this short history of the parking lot to understandmore.
WHY IS HE DOING THIS?
He doesn’t understand what he purchased from the Knudsen family. Every property owner has rights to the others’ properties for parking and community gathering including dining on the paseos.
WHO BENEFITS?
The lawyers.