Tuesday, March 17th
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! From The Press Vol. 28, No. 11
YOUR HOMETOWN NEWS SOURCE | WWW.THEPRESS.NET
March 13, 2026
Oakley City Council approves controversial Bridgehead Industrial project 4-1 “ The struggle over this
By Connor Robles Correspondent
wasteful project would never truly end.
HWY 160
Bridgehead Rd.
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Kevin Sumner, resident Big Break Rd.
To a mixture of applause and strong criticism from the overflowing council chamber, the Oakley City Council approved the Bridgehead Industrial project in western Oakley, with allowances for artificial intelligence (A.I.) data centers on the project site withdrawn by the developers, Jb2 Partners, before the vote. The vote was 4-1, with Councilmember George Fuller voting against approving the project as 51 people spoke at the meeting. Bridgehead Industrial will be made up of 10 buildings ranging in size from 117,180 to 936,680 square feet, sitting on 164 acres that is divided up by the BNSF railway. The property is surrounded by the Big Break Marina to the north, the Big Break Regional Shoreline to the east, Main Street to the south, and the Oakley Logistics Center and Bridgehead Road to the west.
Main St.
Image courtesy of City of Oakley
A map shows the proposed area for the industrial park. The project will include new frontage including gutters, curbs, and sidewalk im-
the nearby section of Main Street, as well as an extension and enhancement of the Big Break Regional Bike Trail. 1,379 trees will also be planted along Bridgehead and Big Break Roads and Main Street, and the developer will contribute $250,000 toward the construction of an overhead railway crossing. According to Community Development Director Ken Strelo, and project planner David Babcock, Bridgehead Industrial will bring 3,700 temporary construction jobs, 3,500 permanent jobs, a $1.1 million surplus to the Oakley General Fund, $340 million a
provements on Bridgehead and Big Break Roads, and a new median and bike lane on
see Bridgehead page 23
Brentwood wants to celebrate its roots City Council approves funds for agricultural tourism By Jake Menez Staff Writer
The term “seed money” took on a new meaning during the March 10 meeting of the Brentwood City Council when voted 5-0 to help pay for efforts by local nonprofits to market the area as a significant agricultural tourism destination. Two local agricultural organizations -– the Contra Costa Wine Growers Association and Harvest Time — came to the Council with funding requests totaling $52,000. Harvest Time requested $25,000 while the Contra Costa Wine Growers Association (CCWGA) requested $27,000. The combined expense would be used for marketing and advertising for the two groups and would come out of the city’s Agricultural Land Fund. According to city staff, the fund’s budget can cover $165,000 of these reimbursement agreements. Business................................................. 2 Calendar................................................ 9
Harvest Time “This is not simply about marketing,” Harvest Time President Jessica Enos told the Council. “This is celebrating our 50th anniversary and supporting local farms, strengthening agrotourism, educating our community and continuing the legacy of agriculture that defines Brentwood.” The money in the Agricultural Fund comes from “agriculture mitigation fees used to fund conservation easements, fee title purchases by the city, as well as the agricultural preservation and enterprise programs that
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are consistent with the land use designations and policies included in the city’s general plan and Municipal Code,” according to the meeting agenda packet. The money being awarded to Harvest Time would be used to promote U-Pick events, which bring an estimated 600,000 visitors to Brentwood every harvest season, according to city staff. Harvest Time’s marketing is expected to promote U-Pick on social media and distribute magazines, maps, and bags promoting Brentwood as a whole. These will showcase the entire city from downtown to the Streets of Brentwood and beyond, according to the agenda packet. “I can’t wait for everyone to see the fruits of your labor,” Councilmember Faye Maloney told the groups, with Mayor Susannah Meyer noting the pun in Maloney’s words and adding her support to the conversation. “Every year, you come up with something new and innovative to bring more people in,” Meyer said. “It’s just a beautiful thing to see and I’m so impressed by the creativity …I think every year we’re also seeing new see Roots page 23
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Jessica Enos, Harvest Time President
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anniversary…and continuing the legacy of agriculture that defines Brentwood.
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Serving East County
“ This is celebrating our 50th
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Local researcher discovers breakthrough
Liberty softball remains perfect
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