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Palo Alto voters will decide Measure J on November 3, 2026. It proposes a 0.5% local sales tax—one-half cent per taxable dollar—that the City estimates would raise about $15.6 million a year until voters end it. Cubberley repairs are named in the ballot question, and City Council’s separate advisory spending guidelines identify the campus as a priority if the measure passes. The tax is not legally earmarked solely for Cubberley. The election outcome was still pending on October 3, 2026.
What would Measure J do?
The City Council placed Measure J on the November 3, 2026 ballot on June 8. The proposal is a 0.5% local transactions and use tax, commonly described as a half-cent sales tax. The City estimates approximately $15.6 million in annual revenue. The tax would continue until ended by voters, and passage requires a majority vote.
The ballot describes funding for general City services and lists examples, including Cubberley repairs to meet safety, earthquake and accessibility standards; electrical, wiring and plumbing upgrades; outdoor space; streets and commercial cores; disaster preparedness; and community spaces and libraries. It also calls for published financial audits and local use of funds. Read the City Clerk’s official Measure J ballot information.
The measure does not mean every voter pays a fixed amount. The tax applies to taxable purchases, so the amount an individual pays depends on those purchases. The City’s reviewed material gives an overall revenue estimate, not a household-specific bill.
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How does Cubberley fit into the measure?
There are three distinct things to keep separate: the ballot’s broad description, Council’s spending guidance, and the campus project itself.
- Ballot language: Measure J describes general City services and includes Cubberley repairs among several examples; it does not dedicate all proceeds to the campus.
- Council guidance: The City says Council adopted advisory spending guidelines that prioritize Cubberley if the measure passes. The City anticipates using the full tax proceeds to support the project under those guidelines.
- Project plan: The Cubberley Conceptual Master Plan describes a multistage campus redevelopment, with an initial phase that remains preliminary in scope and cost.
The City’s measure overview also describes Cubberley as an advisory spending priority. See the City’s measure overview.
What is planned for the Cubberley Center?
Cubberley is a 35-acre campus at 4000 Middlefield Road. The City currently owns eight acres and has an agreement to buy seven additional acres from the Palo Alto Unified School District for $65.5 million. That would bring the City-owned center site to 15 acres; the District is to use the sale proceeds for school improvements.
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Preliminary first phase
The City Council adopted the Cubberley Conceptual Master Plan on May 18, 2026. The City’s preliminary estimate for Phase 1 is $300–400 million, a planning figure that may be refined as design and nonprofit partner commitments develop. The phase could be built incrementally and includes:
- A recreation and wellness center and gym
- A theatre and performing arts complex
- Renovation of remaining buildings
- Parking and tennis courts
- A new education building
Later conceptual phases
Later phases envision visual arts and technology facilities, along with community-service, rental and flexible space. They are part of the conceptual plan, not a statement that every element is fully funded or scheduled for construction.
The City’s Cubberley project page describes the site, plan, land purchase and potential funding.
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How might the project be financed?
The City identifies Measure J revenue as a potential funding source and estimates that the measure could support approximately $220 million in bond financing. That is the City’s financing estimate, not guaranteed bond proceeds or a final project budget.
Other project funding is also described as a plan rather than a settled total. The Friends of the Recreation and Wellness Center has a $40 million fundraising goal. The City says partner commitments are expected to contribute tens of millions and reduce the City’s share of costs. TheatreWorks Silicon Valley and the Friends are identified as partners with letters of intent; Avenidas, HeartFit for Life, Maker Nexus and Palo Alto Community Child Care are described as organizations in partnership discussions. The City has not presented these figures and arrangements as a final, fully secured funding package.
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These amounts should not be added together as though they were interchangeable or certain: estimated annual tax revenue, possible bond financing, fundraising goals and anticipated partner contributions are different kinds of figures. The final project cost, revenue, construction sequence and realized partner support depend on the election and subsequent design, approvals, financing and implementation.
Quick Recap
What voters should know before November 3
- Measure J proposes a 0.5% City transactions and use tax, with City-estimated revenue of approximately $15.6 million annually until voters end it.
- The ballot names Cubberley repairs alongside other general City service examples; Council’s separate advisory guidelines make Cubberley a priority if the measure passes.
- The first-phase project estimate is preliminary, and the conceptual campus plan includes facilities beyond that initial phase.
- As of October 3, 2026, voting had not taken place, so there was no election result to report.
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