Orinda takes 25-year lease on Mini-Park, allowing landscaping to proceed
By Sora O'Doherty
The city of Orinda and Pacific Gas & Electric Co. have agreed to execute a new lease for the property known as the Crossroads Mini Park, located on the corner of Camino Pablo and Brookwood Road. The new lease, which replaces the former 20-year lease, will run for 25 years and, if not previously renewed, will continue on a month-to-month basis. Orinda will not pay rent on the property, but agrees to allow PG&E to continue its use of the land, which holds a high-voltage electricity tower.
The city had put plans to landscape the park on hold in September 2020, because of the uncertainty of the lease status. The new lease provides that Orinda will prepare and seek approval from PG&E for activities to be performed on the property, including, the landscaping plan and improvement plan. The matter was approved on the city's consent calendar on Dec. 14.
There has been for several years a plan to improve the aspect of the park, which many consider to be Orinda's front door, so to speak, and the Orinda Foundation has agreed to contribute funding for improvements to the park. The new lease specifies certain parameters that must be met by any improvements, and must be approved by PG&E prior to implementation. The staff report prepared by Parks and Rec Director Todd Trimble states that Orinda staff have begun working with an architect and have requested updated construction costs and a schedule for the design. The matter will return to the city council.
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