Community Petitions for an Open Paseo

What will become of the once-popular Paseo next to the Castro Valley Marketplace? 

A packed house at Monday night’s meeting of the Castro Valley Municipal Council (MAC) demanded that it be restored to its former public usage, but a property owner wants to restrict it and reconfigure a lease. 

The Paseo was formerly a driveway, and when the Marketplace was designed, property owners, including the County, contributed land to create a shared lot and the public Paseo area. 

Since the CV Marketplace opened, the Paseo has been the site of live music, outdoor dining, and community gatherings.

The Marketplace owners say their current lease entitles them to shared use of the common area, end of story. 

However, Marketplace manager Craig Semmelmeyer recently signed a lease with Knudsen property owner Robert Chau to lease his half of the Paseo. Semmelmeyer no longer manages the Marketplace and works for Chau. 

Chau then wanted a new lease for a new tenant at the Marketplace to allow outdoor dining, which tenants say is already permitted under the current lease. The entire thing has ended up in a lawsuit and a largely shuttered Paseo.

Neither Semmelmeyer nor Chau spoke at Monday’s meeting. 

Because the matter is currently the subject of a lawsuit, MAC Chair Chuck Moore took pains to point out the MAC itself would not be commenting or asking questions, just listening to the community. 

“We are really interested,” said Moore. “We want your comments to be shared, and we want the Board of Supervisors to hear from you.” 

And the community spoke out indeed, including presenting a petition with over 3,200 signatures demanding the paseo be reopened. 

“The paseo was the best thing that happened to Castro Valley since I’ve lived here,” said Kathy Ray. “I cannot emphasize anymore how important it is to have something like that, and what a shame what happened is.” 

George Karpaty, president of the popular Slice House pizza chain, which’s opening a location in the Castro Valley Marketplace this weekend, says that shared use of the Paseo and access for his customers to outdoor dining were major draws when selecting the location.

“There was talk about outdoor dining, new planters, awnings,” said Karpaty. “There was no mention there might not be a Paseo or that there was litigation.” 

Speaker Robert Morehouse said that Semmelmeyer is “throwing his weight around” because he no longer manages the Marketplace.

Speaker Ted King agreed.

“The Marketplace has been a huge quality of life upgrade for me,” said King. “I would hate to see such a beautiful public place held hostage over sour grapes.”

Speaker Earl Vargas said not to forget Alameda County taxpayers contributed to the Marketplace and have financial skin in the game. He also asked whether the shared use of the Paseo was protected due to being grandfathered in despite changes in ownership via Chau. 

Speaker Mariana Austin said shuttering the paseo is a loss for everyone, including Chau himself.

“This is a huge loss to the community, to Mr. Chau as well,” said Austin. “I hope this situation is resolved sooner rather than later.” 

MAC Chair Moore said he was confident that it will be, and for the benefit of the community, once the ligation is worked out.

“Keep your powder dry and see what happens,” said Moore. “We will be persistent to see this be resolved.” 

Charter School License Supported

In other land use news, the MAC voiced support for a plan to allow the Yu Ming Charter School to continue operations at 16248 Carolyn Street.

The bilingual charter school tentatively plans to expand from 280 current students to 450 students in the next few years, but it will have to return with a more complete proposal before formal approval is given.

Over a dozen parents and other community members addressed the MAC to support the expansion.

Alameda County Board of Education Trustee Aisha Knowles said she lives by the school and that it is a highlight of the area. 

“They are the most active community partner in the area,” said Knowles. 

Parents and teachers also pressed the school, but the MAC mentioned that charter schools divert funding from public schools, and the usual issues of noise, traffic, and parking will also have to be addressed before any approval is granted in the future.