Report on Request for Proposals for the Gardner Community Center Grant Program and Facility Management.

Summary

The City Council is asked to accept a report on the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Gardner Community Center Grant Program and Facility Management and authorize a grant agreement. This agreement will award up to $1,000,000 to Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County over a three-year term, through June 30, 2029, for the management and programming of the City-owned Gardner Community Center in Council District 6. The funding originates from the Downtown West Development Agreement with Google, part of its $200,000,000 community benefits. Catholic Charities was selected after an extensive RFP process involving 26 proposals, scoring highest among eight interviewed agencies with 89 out of 100 points, despite two protests which were ultimately rejected on November 14, 2025. The grant will support programs focused on Education and Digital Literacy, Economic and Stabilization Opportunities, Safe and Welcoming Neighborhoods, and Health and Wellness.

Citizen Impact

Residents in the Gardner neighborhood and broader Diridon Station Area will benefit from new and expanded programs at the Gardner Community Center, including services for education, digital literacy, economic support, and health and wellness. This ensures the timely activation of the center with high-quality, locally tailored services.

Confidence

high