by Laura Nakamura, Concord Mayor
Concord is a community built on a foundation of hard work, beautiful open landscapes, and the promise of a vibrant future. There is nothing more celebratory than watching our city grow in ways that honor these values. We are on the cusp of creating a thriving hub of excellent, family-sustaining labor jobs, beautifully designed housing options for all, and vast acres of pristine open space for families to explore. The transformation of “the Base”—the former Concord Naval Weapons Station (CNWS)—is the canvas upon which we are painting this terrific new chapter for our city.
On May 26, 2026, the City Council and I achieved a monumental milestone for Concord. With immense pride and excitement, we officially approved the financial agreement for the Naval Weapons Station development project, known as the “term sheets.” These historic agreements with the U.S. Navy and our master developer, Brookfield, set the financial foundation and purchase terms for the redevelopment. It is a massive leap forward that officially paves the way for a world-class, master-planned community that will bring incredible economic vitality, jobs, and housing to our region.
CNWS: A Rich History, A Bright Horizon
The Concord Naval Weapons Station began its journey in 1942 as the U.S. Naval Magazine, Port Chicago, serving as an annex to the Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Located in the Tidal Area, the facility expanded rapidly to support the nation’s efforts during World War II.
In July 1944, the area was the site of the largest stateside disaster of World War II, when a assive ammunition detonation tragically killed 320 people, including more than 200 African American sailors. In the wake of the tragedy, 50 African American sailors bravely stood up against unsafe working conditions in what became known as the “Port Chicago Mutiny.” Their courage became a cornerstone of the early civil rights movement, and in 2024, tall the U.S. Navy officially and rightfully exonerated 50 sailors.
Over the subsequent decades, the CNWS supported our nation through the Vietnam and Cold War eras. Recognizing the military’s changing needs, the Navy vacated the Inland Area in 1999. Today, while the Tidal Area remains an active military port under Army command, the Inland Area is the area of focus for the Base reuse project.
Opening the Gates to Open Space
Key environmental protection and stewardship occurred in 2019, when the U.S. Navy transferred approximately 2,500 acres of breathtaking open space to the East Bay Regional Park District. In 2021, this land was aptly named the “Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50,” honoring the legendary civil rights lawyer and Supreme Court Justice who defended those 50 brave sailors and helped pave the way for the military’s desegregation.
The Park District is actively designing road improvements and anticipates opening portions of the park south of Bailey Road within the next two to three years. Future visitors can look forward to:
•A state-of-the-art visitor center focusing on local history and the Port Chicago disaster.
•Expanded public access, transit connections, and miles of trails for hiking, biking, camping, and picnicking.
•Protected habitats and dedicated wildlife corridors ensure our local native species flourish.
Crafting a World-Class Community
Since 2006, when the U.S. Department of Defense designated the Concord City Council as the Local Reuse Authority (LRA), our community has come together in numerous public sessions to shape a vision for the Concord Community Reuse Project.
The current Area Plan outlines an inspirational blueprint for Concord’s future:
•12,272 Vibrant Housing Units: Built to accommodate families of all backgrounds, with 25 percent allocated for affordable housing, alongside 16 acres dedicated to permanent supportive housing.
•Thriving Economic Hubs: Approximately 6 million square feet of premier commercial space designed to attract dynamic businesses and create high-quality, local labor jobs.
•Green and Connected Spaces: 868 acres of local parks, trails, and bike paths, as well as transit-oriented development near BART to promote walking and cycling.
•Community Investment: Financial contributions dedicated to building a brand-new community center and library.
In one of my first significant contributions as a city councilmember, we voted to partner with Brookfield as the master developer in 2023, a vote I was proud to make after the delays and missteps of prior years. Our approval of the Term Sheets on May 26, 2026, is the green light we have been working towards. These agreements secure the purchase terms for the initial transfer of roughly 1,000 acres, outline rolling 12-year reinvestment periods to ensure the City’s project revenues go right back into supporting this world-class development and maintain the Navy’s commitment to environmental cleanup.
What’s Next on the Horizon
The U.S. Navy is concurrently reviewing the Term Sheet. With the approved term sheets providing clear financial direction and growing momentum, the City and Brookfield are eagerly diving into drafting the Specific Plan and final entitlement documents. There will be many public discussions on these next steps in the near future.
We anticipate these final agreements will return to the City Council by summer 2029, with shovels hitting the ground shortly after for the initial development phase. We are building a brighter, more prosperous Concord together!
www.concordreuseproject.org.