Dear Friends,

Arlington Community Church has been asked if we would consider selling, or possibly leasing, our share of the parking lot across the street from the church. We actually own the north end of the parking lot, starting approximately just north of the stairs, about 13 parking spaces. The south end is owned by Kensington Police Protection and Community Services District (KPPCSD).

The Short Story

There is a whole story behind this request, and we’ve written it further down in this letter, but the short version is this . . .

Last May, Church Council was approached by KPPCSD, just to “test the temperature” of the church about selling the parking lot. The police department needs a new administration building. At the time, there were several locations under consideration, and Council encouraged KPPCSD to look elsewhere. We began to hope the question had gone away. However, we had another zoom meeting with KPPCSD President Sylvia Hacaj and General Manager Tony Constantouros on October 19. They assured us at that meeting that there was no “priority list,” that no selections had been made. Our parking lot was not a priority choice. They were just gathering information. Several days after that meeting, Kensington residents received the November edition of the “Kensington Outlook,” with a large article titled “Options to House Police Narrowing Down: Parking Lot Now Top Candidate.” And there were six architect’s drawings of various ways the police department could position a building on the parking lot, with or without our half. We on Council were stunned and upset.

On November 10, KPPCSD appointed General Manager Constantouros to be the chief negotiating agent for the specific purpose of “negotiating for the sale or lease of the northern portion of parking lot on the east side of Arlington Avenue between Arlmont Drive and Kensington Road.”

What do you want to do? Do you want to hear what KPPCSD is willing to offer, or do you want to say no right now? Council needs to hear from you. There will be a Spectrum session after worship on a Sunday in the next few weeks. And of course we are happy to talk to you any time.

The Longer Story

For about 50 years, the Kensington police department and the fire department have shared space in the Public Safety Building at 217 Arlington Avenue. Several years ago a seismic study determined that the building is not safe in an earthquake, and there is strong likelihood that critical emergency personnel could be killed or injured if the building collapsed. Plans were made to retrofit and improve the building. The fire chief and police chief were in agreement that the building was not big enough to properly house both departments. The fire department must be centrally located; the police administration office can be located anywhere. (The police officers are expected to be out of the office doing their jobs.) The fire department proceeded with developing remodeling plans, getting bids and permits, etc. From the full debris box outside the building and the temporary fencing around the public safety building, it appears the work has already started. The police department moved to temporary quarters in El Cerrito and is looking for a permanent new home.

KPPCSD, through their General Manager(s), has identified and evaluated a number of possible locations for the police department. Their various reports are available if you look through the minutes on the website KPPCSD.org. At this time, out of maybe a dozen possible locations, only a few remain on the list. They do continue to look. The parking lot at the library is one, and they have chosen to begin negotiating with ACC to see what happens.

I think we can describe Council’s position so far as “neutral, leaning toward ‘No.’” Up to now, KPPCSD has not made any proposals, so we haven’t answered any. We have been very helpful to them, enthusiastically pointing out as many possible alternatives as we could think of. Now that we know they have appointed a negotiator for the purpose of proposing to buy (or lease) our parking lot, it’s time to clarify our position. What do you want to do?

Sara Laferte,
ACC Council Secretary