Fremont Approves Central Park Community Center

Council Updates Approval of Central Park Community Center The City of Fremont is moving forward with the construction of the new Central Park Community Center.  Following City Council approval, construction is expected to begin in Spring 2026, and the facility is anticipated to open to the public by Spring 2028. The new community center was identified as a top priority in Fremont's 2022 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, based on extensive community feedback calling for expanded recreation spaces and modern facilities. Thanks to strong community support, additional funding—including a $9 million State of California grant secured. What the Project Includes: The Central Park Community Center project will include several new amenities designed to serve residents of all ages: • A new Community Center building with flexible indoor spaces for fitness, dance, arts, crafts, enrichment programs, and STEM learning • A community meeting room for gatherings and local events • A new Event Hall with seating for up to 400 guests indoors and 200 outdoors, along with a commercial kitchen • Outdoor event spaces, including patios, terraces, and a ceremonial lawn with views of Lake Elizabeth and Mission Peak • An "Outdoor Living Room" with seating, shade features, and space for mobile coffee carts and food trucks • Expanded parking and improved access from Paseo Padre Parkway The project will also incorporate sustainability features, including solar panels, all-electric systems, bicycle parking, and EV charging stations. The construction contract was awarded to Zovich Construction, a company with a strong track record in Fremont that previously built the Downtown Event Center, the Housing Navigation Center, and Fire Station 2 in Niles. The total estimated project investment is approximately $50.8 million, funded through a combination of city capital improvement funds, park impact fees, and state grant funding. Once complete, the Central Park Community Center will become a major hub for community life, offering new opportunities for recreation, events, cultural programming, and gatherings for Fremont residents. Check out 2026 Fremont Restaurant Week: March 6-15 The 4th Annual Fremont Restaurant Week is here! 🍽️ This year is our biggest event yet, with 70 restaurants offering new menu items, unique combos, and exclusive deals. It's the perfect chance to explore Fremont's incredible food scene and support our amazing local restaurants. To view the full list of restaurants and their specials, please visit fremontrestaurantweek.com. 📅 March 6–15 Mark your calendars—you won't want to miss it! Here are just a few of the participating restaurants: Billy Roy's Burger Co. Angry Chickz Massimo's Pints of Joy Zaitoons Papillion Spin a Yarn Bhaviram Ruchulu Pho Mama De Afghanan Hops and Beans Qamaria Coffee and Tea ….and many more!!!! Introducing Dot to Fremont The City of Fremont is partnering with DoorDash to introduce Dot, an autonomous delivery robot manufactured right here in Fremont. This collaboration highlights Fremont's leadership in advanced robotics, manufacturing, and innovation, while supporting local restaurants and businesses. Dot is an all-electric, compact delivery robot designed to safely navigate city streets and bring food orders directly to customers. The project reflects Fremont's continued commitment to sustainability and to strengthening its local business community. Dot made its first delivery on March 5 during the Fremont Restaurant Week kickoff event hosted by Fremont Bank. The first deployment will focus on Downtown Fremont/City Center, Centerville, and Irvington, with primary travel corridors including: Fremont Boulevard Walnut Avenue Mowry Avenue Stevenson Boulevard Paseo Padre Parkway Future expansion of the program will require additional review and approval. Around Fremont Welcoming the new Fremont Police Chief Floyd Mitchell!! Congrats MSJ Boys Basketball!!! Congratulations to Mission San Jose High School for winning the NCS Division IV Basketball Championship! 🏀🏆 What an incredible achievement for these student-athletes, coaches, and the entire Mission San Jose community. Their hard work, discipline, and teamwork paid off in a big way, and Fremont couldn't be prouder. Championships like this reflect the dedication of our students, the leadership of our coaches, and the support of families and fans who show up every game to cheer them on. Mission San Jose showed what Fremont is all about. Congratulations again to the Warriors on bringing home the NCS title! Fremont is celebrating with you. 🎉 Community Updates Hosting Roundtable of Bay Area State Senators Honored to have had the opportunity to moderate the legislative panel with our State Senators as President of the East Bay Division of the League of California Cities, representing cities across Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. It was a thoughtful conversation on the issues that matter most to our communities — from housing and transportation to economic development and public safety. Regional collaboration is essential, and discussions like this help strengthen the partnership between state and local leaders so we can better serve our residents. Thank you to Senators Tim Grayson, Jerry McNerney, Aisha Wahab, and Jesse Arreguín for joining us and sharing their insights. Celebrating California Libraries with Governor Newsom and the CA Libraries As someone who grew up with limited resources, I know firsthand how important libraries can be. The library gave me a place to read, learn, and dream bigger — all for free. For many families, libraries are more than buildings filled with books; they are gateways to opportunity. That's why protecting and supporting our libraries matters so much, especially for kids and families who rely on them as spaces for learning, exploration, and community. A special thank you to our incredible librarians, who serve as stewards of knowledge and champions for our community every single day. Fremont named Happiest City in USA for 7th year in a row Proud to see Fremont recognized as the happiest city in America for the seventh year in a row! That's something worth celebrating — and a testament to the strong community, beautiful parks, great schools, and innovative spirit that make Fremont such a special place to live. But it's also a reminder that our work is not done. There is always more we can do to make our city safer, cleaner, more affordable, and even happier for every resident. Let's keep moving Fremont forward together. Buisness Openings Old and New Trading Post Welcome Old and New Trading Post, to Fremont and Niles! 🧘‍♀️✨ Congratulations to the team! Let's show up, support local, and keep building a healthier Fremont. 💛 Together Homecare Honored to attend the ribbon cutting for Together Homecare and celebrate their commitment to compassionate, high-quality in-home care here in Fremont. Waxing the City I had the honor of attending the grand opening and ribbon cutting for Waxing the City in Downtown Fremont. Additional Upcoming Events Student Job & Internship Fair Earth Day Fair Tacos and Taxes - Fremont, 3/28/26 It's tax time! Join the Fremont Family Resource Center and Golden State Opportunity for a Tacos & Taxes event where you can get free help filing your taxes through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Certified VITA volunteers will be on site to provide free, secure tax preparation right here in the community. After filing your taxes, stick around and enjoy some delicious tacos! 📌 Appointments are required, so be sure to reserve your spot. 👉 RSVP here: https://www.mobilize.us/gso/event/892459/ 📞 Or call: (510) 794-3900 Joint Townhall with Senator Wahab and Fremont Chamber of Commerce State Senator Dr. Aisha Wahab and Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan invite you to attend a community Town Hall to discuss local and statewide priorities that impact Fremont residents. 📅 Thursday, April 2 🕕 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM 📍 Fremont Downtown Event Center 3500 Capitol Ave., Fremont This event is an opportunity for residents to hear updates, ask questions, and engage in a conversation about issues affecting our community. The town hall is being held in partnership with the Fremont Chamber of Commerce Please RSVP in advance to attend. View Immigration Resources Immigration Resources & Know Your Rights All people in the United States—regardless of immigration status—have basic rights under the law. Fremont residents are encouraged to stay informed and prepared. Know Your Rights You have the right to remain silent and do not have to answer questions about your immigration status. You may refuse consent to searches unless officers have a valid judicial warrant signed by a judge. You have the right to speak with a lawyer before answering questions or signing documents. You do not need to open your door to immigration officers unless they present a valid warrant. If stopped in public, you may ask, "Am I free to go?" If yes, you may leave calmly. Family Preparedness Residents are encouraged to keep copies of important documents (IDs, birth certificates, medical records, school records) in a safe place and share emergency contact information with trusted family members. Legal & Community Support (Bay Area) Free or low-cost legal help may be available through the following organizations: Catholic Charities of the East Bay Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach Centro Legal de la Raza Bay Area Legal Aid ACLU of Northern California Additional Information Multilingual "Know Your Rights" materials and general immigration information are available through congressional and legal aid service pages, including: Immigration Know Your Rights: https://www.ilrc.org/community-resources/know-your-rights This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. CITY CONTACT INFORMATION Animal Services Email: AnimalServices@fremont.gov Phone: 510-790-6630 City Clerk Email: cclerk@fremont.gov Phone: 510-284-4060 Fire Department (Non Emergecy Contact Information) Email: fremontfire@fremont.gov Phone: 510-494-4200 Economic Development Email: econdev@fremont.gov Phone: 510-284-4020 Police Department (Non Emergency Contact Information) Email: Fremontpolice@fremont.gov Phone: 510-790-6800 (Option 3) Planning Division Email: Planinfo@fremont.gov Phone: 510-494-4440 Fremont Recreation Services Email: RegeRec@fremont.gov Phone: 510-494-4300 Fremont Unified School District Phone: 510-657-2350 Housing Division Email: housing@fremont.gov Phone: 510-494-4500 PLEASE FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILES TO FIND THE LATEST UPDATES! Find out more Copyright (C) 2026 Councilmember Raj Salwan for Fremont Mayor 2024. All rights reserved.