Farmers’ Market to close early; next Shred Day moves to Event Center

By Ann Peterson

Editor-in-Chief

 

Friday, September 27 (9:30 a.m.): A section of Gateway’s parking lot will be fenced off starting Monday, Sept. 30, with construction on the Phase II solar canopies set to begin Monday, Oct. 7.

While the project could save Rossmoor as much as $11.3 million in electricity costs over 25 years, it will not be without considerable short-term inconvenience.

The installation will take more than three months, closing portions of Gateway’s parking lot for the duration, ending the Farmers’ Market a few weeks early, and moving the next Shred Day to a new location.

“There is no good time to shut down portions of the parking lot, but significant planning has been put into place to keep the clubhouse open,” General Manager Jeff Matheson said. “Timing is important to bring the project in while we have PG&E approval.”

Canopies will be installed over four rows of double stalls in the parking lot, leaving uncovered only the double stall and single row of parking spaces nearest Tice Creek Drive Entry A. Work in the first phase begins on the north side, abutting Golden Rain Road, with installation over two rows of double stalls.

Phase one is scheduled for completion by Friday, Nov. 8.

Because of the work, the Farmers’ Market – which usually ends in late October –closed for the season on Friday, Sept. 27.

Each of the two phases will involve excavation for the canopy column foundations, construction of the support columns and overhead structures, and finally installation of the solar panel collectors. Work will occur between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. The other half of the parking lot will remain open during each phase of the construction.

Project manager Fred Ponce said residents can expect construction noise to be loudest during the first two weeks of each phase.

“The jackhammers and excavators will be noticeable,” he said. “With the installation of the steel, there will still be noise, but it will have less impact.”

If all remains on schedule, the construction fencing will move on Monday, Nov. 11, to the next two rows of double stalls, with the second installation phase beginning on Monday, Nov. 18. Because of the holidays, construction could last until Friday, Jan. 10.

After final connections and inspections, the solar panels could begin generating power around Jan. 20.

The two-phase approach extends the timeline of the project but was the only way to minimize what will already be a disruption in the busy parking lot, Ponce said.

“If we could do all the work necessary at the same time, we could go a lot faster,” he said. “But we can’t close the parking lot completely at an active clubhouse. Splitting it into two phases was the best compromise.”

This approach also means lights under the solar panels will illuminate the parking stalls as soon as work is complete.

The plan also will not block parking lot entrances/exits, EV chargers, the bus stop or back parking lot by the multipurpose rooms. It might affect the coupon box and drive-up mailbox; watch for future notices if this happens.

The installation will relocate the next Shred Day to the Event Center. Staff is trying to find a date in October when there are minimal events scheduled in and around the Event Center.

There are no plans yet for shuttle service to alleviate the parking shortage because that could further affect regular bus service, Community Services Director Ann Mottola said. The Transportation Department recently temporarily suspended weekend service because of unplanned leaves by staff in positions where temporary help is unavailable.

“If we get stability in staffing, we can relook at this,” Mottola said.

The PRESTO autonomous shuttle, overseen by Contra Costa Transportation Authority, will still offer weekday rides between the Fitness Center and Gateway. However, because the shuttle operates under terms of a federal grant, it is unable to expand service to cover additional routes.

The solar panels are being installed at no cost to GRF under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement with F&M Bank, which will initially own the system and pass along tax incentive savings through lower electricity costs. After 10 years, the GRF can buy the Gateway solar canopies for $575,000 under the agreement.

The Solar Phase II project also will include rooftop panels on the Event Center and not-yet-built pickleball facility, adjacent to the Event Center. No date has been set for installation of that part of the project.

But once those panels are added, General Manager Jeff Matheson said, “We will be essentially off the grid,” with solar generating the electricity needed for all of the GRF buildings.