The City of Gilroy is launching a project to modernize and reimagine the Civic Center by developing a new Civic Center Master Plan. The existing Master Plan, adopted in 2002, needs an update to address the increasing demands of the community, underutilized spaces, and aging facilities.
Spanning approximately 14 acres in central Gilroy, the Civic Center site is bordered by Sixth Street, Seventh Street, Dowdy Street, and Church Street. This site currently houses key community facilities, including City Hall, Police Station, Wheeler Center, Gilroy Library, the Senior Center, and other essential spaces. While some of these buildings, such as the Gilroy Library and Police Station, are relatively new and will be preserved, others are significantly older and less suited to meet current and future demands. With increasing service needs, it is time to thoughtfully transform the Civic Center into a space that balances preservation with modernization, ensuring it serves a vibrant and growing community.
In Fiscal Year 2023-24, the Gilroy City Council approved a $750,000 contract to begin the comprehensive planning process for this critical project. On November 18, 2024, the Council awarded a contract to ELS Architecture and Urban Design to lead the Master Plan process, which will culminate in the design of a Civic Center Master Plan that reflects the aspirations and needs of our community.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Documents
The City has released the CEQA environmental documents for the Civic Center Master Plan for public review. These documents are available for a 45-day review and comment period, during which community members and interested parties are encouraged to review the materials and provide written feedback. All comments received during this period will be considered as part of the environmental review process before the project moves forward.
Review the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and submit written comments by email to Ryan.Osenton@cityofgilroy.org during the 45-day review period which closes March 27, 2026.
Community Meeting
On February 25, 2026, a community meeting was held to present the Draft Master Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Report. The presentation and recording of the meeting are available below.
The success of the Civic Center Master Plan relies on the input and collaboration of Gilroy’s residents, stakeholders, and staff. Public engagement is central to this effort, ensuring that the final plan aligns with the community’s priorities and vision for the future.
The City of Gilroy hosted three community workshops (March 4th, April 8th, May 20th) where residents shared their ideas, priorities, and concerns. Each community workshop created an opportunity for community members to provide feedback through online surveys that were open to the public. Outreach also included focused discussions with key groups, including City staff, the Planning Commission, and local organizations.
What the Master Plan Will Deliver
The updated Civic Center Master Plan will inventory current facilities and open spaces, evaluate their uses, and identify opportunities for improvement. The Plan will include:
Needs Assessment: Identifying current and future programming and operational requirements.
Design Alternatives: At least three conceptual design plans, complete with cost estimates.
Financing Strategies: Recommendations for funding the redevelopment, including the possibility of a general obligation bond measure.
Comprehensive Vision: A holistic approach to maintenance, traffic flow, parking, accessibility, and community character.
Project Timeline
The project started in January 2025 and is structured into seven phases over approximately two years:
Project Initiation - Completed February 2025
Existing Conditions Assessment - Completed March 2025
Needs Assessment - Completed April 2025
Master Plan Design - Completed June 2025
CEQA Compliance - In Progress, Environmental Impact Report (EIR) published for review for 45 days, until March 27, 2026.
