The Multi-Gen project became the most prioritized and expensive public amenity because of city staff, not public demand.
In 2022, the Aquatic Park remained a high-priority amenity, having secured council approvals in 2018 and 2020.
However, by 2023, led by the city staff efforts of Brian MacDonald, Director of Parks and Recreation, Karin Schnaider, then Finance Director, and Bijal Patel, then City Attorney, the Measure V funding priorities shifted significantly to the Multi-Gen Center, once the project was chosen to be located at El Pescadero Park.
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The city allowed El Pescadero Park to be overrun with unhoused individuals, which generated significant problems for city services and the neighbors. Building the Multi-Gen Center there solved the city’s need for a project site and relocated the unhoused.
Under the previous City Council, the size and budget of the Multi-Gen Center more than doubled.
In December 2023, Brian MacDonald requested a larger budget for the project, which now included improvements to the site location at El Pescadero Park, more staff, and the addition of the new Parks & Rec offices.
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The previous city council agreed and authorized staff to finance a lease revenue bond against Measure V funds for $54 million.
In May 2024, staff requested an additional $6 million to finance the construction of the Multi-Gen Center. Council approved the issuance and sale of $60 million bonds with the Tracy Public Financing Authority.
The 30-year Multi-Gen Center bond payments and the new Parks & Rec staff salaries alone will cost taxpayers $5.5 million each year.
In February 2022, Parks and Rec staff requested funding to plan and design a 30,000-square-foot Multi-Generation Center. Staff envisioned a lobby, lounge, gymnasium, multi-purpose room, library, education center, a teaching kitchen, and outdoor amenities.
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By May 2024, the size of the scope for the center more than doubled to 61,300 square feet, which included space for the new Parks & Rec Department.
