Civic Center Master Plan and EIR Community Meeting I February 25, 2026

The City of Gilroy held a community meeting on February 25, 2026, to discuss the Civic Center Master Plan and the associated Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The master plan aims to guide the redevelopment of the city's core public facilities, including the senior center, city hall, Wheeler Auditorium, and the annex, while excluding the police station and library which are relatively new. Key components of the plan include constructing a new city hall, a multi-generational facility, a recreational center with an aquatic pool, and a new civic park approximately the size of a football field. The plan also proposes adding a parking garage to increase parking capacity by about 180 spots. The EIR identified one significant and unavoidable impact related to the demolition of the historic Wheeler Auditorium, with mitigation measures involving thorough documentation before demolition. The city council will review and vote on the master plan, with financing and phasing strategies to be developed post-approval, aiming for a ballot initiative in 2028. Community members raised questions about facility usage, parking, traffic impact, and project prioritization, which city officials addressed during the Q&A session.