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As bus manufacturer GILLIG aims to expand its campus in Livermore, the City Council is poised to host a public hearing Monday on whether to authorize the negotiation of a development agreement with the business to facilitate the project.
The expansion is proposed for approximately 17 acres on the western side of Discovery Drive, adjacent to GILLIG’s existing facility.
Estimated as being a $60 million investment, the development would include about 80,000 to 110,000 square feet of office space, 80,000 square feet of warehouse space, 500 employee parking stalls and a new transit bus parking and fleet support area, according to a staff report prepared by Livermore economic development manager Jake Potter.
As part of the expansion, GILLIG has requested closure of the northern portion of Discovery Drive for internal use amid the expected generation of “significant cross-traffic” across the northern portion of the road with buses, equipment and employees.
“Staff has preliminarily concluded that Discovery Drive may be unnecessary for public use and that its closure could enhance public safety and serve a public purpose,” according to the staff report.
In addition to physical changes, GILLIG proposes consolidating its operations in Livermore and moving its aftermarket parts to the facility.
GILLIG preliminarily estimates that the new campus expansion would generate approximately $450,000 in annual tax revenue and provide 240 new jobs.
Following the public hearing, the council is poised to decide whether to authorize the negotiation of a development agreement facilitating the expansion.
Approval from the council would not, however, authorize or require a partial street closure. Likewise, authorizing staff to negotiate a development agreement does not mean an agreement is approved.
Councilmembers would consider the final development agreement and street closure at a future public meeting. GILLIG has submitted an application for a development agreement to the city including a formal request for the city to vacate the northern portion of the street.
GILLIG is located at 451 Discovery Drive in the Oaks Business Park.
The hybrid-format meeting is scheduled to begin 7 p.m. on Monday (July 13), in-person in the Civic Center Meeting Hall at 1016 S. Livermore Ave., as well as via Zoom. The agenda is available here.
In other business
* The council is also set to consider approving a compensation plan that increases benefits for the police chief and select executive management employees.
The plan would make the police chief eligible for the Police Officer Standards and Training incentive pay provided to the Police Management Group. The fiscal impact to the city would be a one-time retroactive cost of $23,400 and ongoing annual cost of $24,000, according to a staff report prepared by Livermore acting administrative services director Kristen Hilton.
The plan would also increase the vehicle allowance to $350 monthly, up from $250, for executive management employees in the classifications of assistant city manager, deputy city manager, administrative services director, community development director, innovation and economic development director, library services director and public works director. The fiscal impact to the city would be an ongoing annual cost of $8,400, effective July 13.
Otherwise, the compensation plan consolidates existing practices for executive management, management confidential and confidential employees, retroactive to July 1, 2025.
* The city council is poised to approve a 30-year potable water supply agreement with Zone 7 Water Agency as part of the consent calendar, composed of items typically considered noncontroversial and passed with a single motion.
