Caltrain only has a few more months to decide whether to move its headquarters to The Gateway at Millbrae, where another county transit agency, SamTrans, is heading next year — or move elsewhere.
The two agencies currently occupy the same San Carlos facility but, at the end of last year, SamTrans closed on a 180,000-square-foot building neighboring the BART and Caltrain stations. The agreement will allow it to lease the building for 30 months, with the option to acquire it for $126 million after that time period.
But Caltrain is still undecided whether to continue occupying the current building, find a brand-new spot or move in with SamTrans.
“We’ve promised that we’ll bring a decision back to SamTrans as soon as possible, so we’re currently trying to make a decision by August,” Nadine Fogarty, director of real estate development said. “The reason for that is because they’re planning to move in 2025 and need to have an answer from us about whether they should continue to reserve space for us in their building.”
Board members have signaled mixed opinions on the matter. During a December SamTrans meeting, Ray Mueller, San Mateo County supervisor and SamTrans board member, said he felt taxpayer dollars would be better spent remodeling the current building.
But during the Caltrain Board of Directors meeting Wednesday, June 6, Board Member Monique Zmuda said it would be ideal to continue under the same roof.
“In the scheme of things, we want to work with SamTrans as much as possible,” Zmuda said. “To the extent we can co-locate with SamTrans, that would be my preference. I know it’s going to depend on cost and location … but in order to work together and to share a number of staff, I think it would be important to be as close together as possible.”
The agency currently spends about $585,000 each year on the current building’s cost and maintenance, and a move elsewhere is likely to increase annual expenses by about $2 million to $3 million.
Staff narrowed down about 16 properties of interest, specifying the need to move somewhere with around 27,000 to 30,000 square feet. Ideally, it would also be close to public transit, although a survey found that about 40% of employees drive alone to work. About 44% live in San Mateo County, 15% in Santa Clara County and 16% in Alameda County.
The board will review its options in more detail in August.
(1) comment
So let me get this straight… The other day, we read that Caltrain is expected to face a projected operating annual deficit of $100 million beginning around 2033 and these folks, instead of spending $585,000 each year on office space would like to blow up to $2 million to $3 million per year? Folks, remember this the next time Caltrain wants more of your hard-earned money to waste. Who knows, in 3 years, Caltrain may want to blow more $millions of your hard earned money on newer office space. Vote NO on any tax measures funding transportation, especially Caltrain. You’re basically paying for increased pensions and benefits – one benefit being spanking new office space.
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