Over the past few weeks, many neighbors have stopped me around the valley asking about the work happening at Mountain Community Resources (MCR) and what it means for the services provided there. Those conversations matter, because they reflect both how much this center is relied on by our community and the concerns people have about what’s changing.
I want to be clear about what’s happening, why it matters, and what it means for our community. Over the last several years, Community Bridges has been working on several capital improvement projects designed to strengthen the long-term resilience of the center and expand the services we can provide to the community. Some of those projects have already been completed, while others are moving forward as funding and approvals allow. These investments are not about change for its own sake. They are about ensuring MCR and the greater Community Bridges family of programs can continue to serve the valley reliably, especially during our community’s time of need.
One of the current projects is the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure at the front of the center. These stations are part of a broader effort to modernize our Lift Line paratransit fleet and ensure our vehicles have reliable charging infrastructure close to the communities they serve. For many older adults and people with disabilities in our community, Lift Line is their lifeline for medical care, groceries and daily connections.
This work is being supported through several public investments including California’s Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP), funding that helps transit agencies reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving mobility in disadvantaged communities. Additional support comes from California Air Resources Board (CARB) clean transportation initiatives, Measure D transportation investments, and other state and regional infrastructure programs focused on cleaner transit. Importantly, no program funding for services at MCR has been diverted to support this project. This site was selected for this project both because Community Bridges owns the property and because, when complete, it will allow us to better serve the San Lorenzo Valley.
Significant electrical upgrades are required at MCR for this project. We are currently working with PG&E to expand electrical capacity and underground portions of the service to the building. Because the infrastructure must cross Highway 9, the project also requires engineering review and approval from Caltrans, which adds complexity and time to the process. While we have been working through these approvals for some time, current estimates suggest completion could still take several more months.
We understand that the visible construction and timeline can be frustrating, and we appreciate the community’s patience as we navigate these necessary steps.
These upgrades move us closer to installing backup power and resiliency infrastructure so the center can remain open during outages, winter storms, or Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events. Our goal is for MCR to serve as a community resiliency hub, where residents can charge medical devices, access services and find support when the power goes out. Without this investment, that level of reliability is simply not possible.
The EV charging stations will also be open to the public, helping expand clean transportation access in the valley while supporting California’s broader climate goals. In a rural community like ours, where infrastructure is limited, this kind of access matters.
Projects like this require coordination across multiple state agencies, utilities, engineers and local partners. They take time—but they also bring significant investment into our rural communities and help ensure we are building infrastructure that will serve the valley for decades to come. This is what long-term stewardship of community resources looks like.
So, if you notice construction or equipment around the center, please know it is part of that long-term investment. What’s being built is not just infrastructure. It’s the ability for our community to rely on this center in the moments that matter most.
We thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued support.
Raymon Cancino
is the Chief Executive Officer
of Community Bridges.
