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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Palo Alto voters will decide Measure J on November 3, 2026. If approved by a majority, it would add a 0.5% local sales tax—one-half cent on each taxable dollar—and the City estimates it would raise about $15.6 million a year until voters end it. Cubberley is a stated spending priority, but the ballot describes a broader set of general City services rather than legally dedicating every dollar to the center. The election is still pending as of October 3, 2026.
What would Measure J do?
The City Council placed Measure J on the November 3, 2026 ballot on June 8. It asks voters to approve a 0.5% local transactions and use tax. The City’s ballot estimate is approximately $15.6 million annually, and the tax would remain in effect until ended by voters. Passage requires a majority vote. The official ballot text and election details are published by the City of Palo Alto Office of the City Clerk.
“Half-cent” describes the rate: one-half cent for each dollar of taxable purchases subject to the tax. It is not a flat bill charged to every voter. The City’s reviewed materials provide an annual revenue estimate, not a household-specific calculation; the amount an individual pays depends on their taxable purchases.
Does the ballot dedicate the tax to Cubberley?
No. The ballot question describes general City services and gives examples that include repairs at Cubberley to meet safety, earthquake and accessibility standards; electrical, wiring and plumbing upgrades; outdoor space; streets and commercial cores; disaster preparedness; and community spaces and libraries. It also refers to published financial audits and local use of funds.
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Separately, the City Council adopted advisory spending guidelines that make Cubberley a priority if Measure J passes. The City says it anticipates using the full proceeds to support the project under those guidelines. That is an advisory spending intention, not ballot language that legally earmarks all tax proceeds to Cubberley. The City’s measure overview describes the advisory priorities.
What is planned for the Cubberley Center?
Land and site
Cubberley is a 35-acre campus at 4000 Middlefield Road. The City currently owns eight acres and has an agreement with the Palo Alto Unified School District to buy seven additional acres for $65.5 million. The intended City-owned center site would total 15 acres; the District is to use sale proceeds for school improvements.
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Phase 1 proposal
The City Council adopted a Cubberley Conceptual Master Plan on May 18, 2026. Its preliminary Phase 1 estimate is $300–400 million. The City cautions that the estimate may be refined as nonprofit partner commitments develop. Phase 1 could be built incrementally and includes:
- A recreation and wellness center and gym
- A theatre and performing arts complex
- Renovation of remaining buildings
- Parking and tennis courts
- A new education building
Later conceptual phases include visual arts and technology space, community services, rental space and flexible-use space. Details and costs are planning estimates, not a final construction budget. The City’s Cubberley project page describes the plan and its current planning figures.
How would the project be financed?
The City identifies Measure J revenue as a potential funding source and estimates that the measure could support approximately $220 million in bond financing. That is the City’s financing estimate, not guaranteed proceeds or a finalized project budget. It should not be added to the annual tax estimate as if both were separate pots of cash: the bond figure represents potential financing supported by anticipated revenue.
Other funding plans are also in development. The Friends of the Recreation and Wellness Center have a $40 million fundraising goal for Cubberley. The City expects partner commitments to contribute tens of millions and reduce the City’s share of costs. TheatreWorks Silicon Valley and the Friends are identified as partners with letters of intent; Avenidas, HeartFit for Life, Maker Nexus and Palo Alto Community Child Care are described as additional partnership discussions. These plans do not establish a final total of partner contributions.
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What is known before Election Day?
- Decision date: November 3, 2026; no result was available as of October 3, 2026.
- Threshold: A majority vote is required.
- Tax: Proposed 0.5% local transactions and use tax, estimated by the City to generate about $15.6 million annually until voters end it.
- Cubberley: Named among broader general-service examples on the ballot and separately identified as a priority in Council’s advisory spending guidelines.
- Project finances: The preliminary Phase 1 estimate, possible bond financing and partner fundraising goals are planning figures. Final costs, funding contributions and construction sequencing depend on the vote and subsequent design, approvals and implementation.
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