The expectation of eventually building the “Wine Country Hotel at the Bankhead” seems to have come unraveled. The Independent published a story about it, and we investigated. The phone numbers for Presidio are disconnected, no responses to email, behind in their state filings, and the agent for service process resigned (no one to contact for legal matters). Their representative Rikesh Patel, who oversaw the development negotiations and was the face of the project, hasn’t worked there since 2019 and no replacement has been identified. All of this considered, the company does not appear to functionally exist in California anymore.
The unfortunate breakdown was ultimately hard to avoid. We believe the location was the main problem, since it was never going to be able to accommodate adequate parking for the guests, as well as several other challenges. Ultimately, it was as infeasible as we suspected it would be since it was conceived in 2016.
There is a group of concerned residents that is proposing a new location they believe can allow a downtown hotel to be a success. Their website at livermorecommunitycoalitionspeaks.com explains their example in more detail. You can reach out to Safia Hasan Livermore.community.coalition@gmail.com with questions.
We hope City officials can be inspired to fulfill one of the major priorities expressed by the residents during the original outreach.
History of the Downtown Livermore Hotel Planning
In 2016, Lennar Multifamily Communities (now Quarterra) originally was poised to develop a massive 260 unit apartment complex. The residents pushed back, and elected a new Council that year with candidates who pledged to do something different. The new Council focused on a smaller housing plan and other aspects including the Presidio hotel planning.
| Date | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| July 2016 | City signs exclusive negotiating rights agreement with Presidio | Formal beginning of current Presidio project |
| 2017 | Downtown public planning process. Community surveyed. | Rankings: 1 parking, 2 community character, 3 open space, 5 hotel, 7 hotel location, 10 (last) housing. 80% favor west side of S. Livermore hotel placement |
| Jan. 2018 | Council approves plan against the advice of residents and CBG | Hotel placed on the east side of S. Livermore despite the challenges |
| Feb. 2018 | Hotel Term Sheet approved | Formal deal with Presidio advances |
| Sept. 2018 | DDA + design approval | East side hotel formally entitled – continued opposition to location |
| 2019 | Referendum campaign | Project becomes subject to voter challenge |
| Mar. 3, 2020 | Measure P passes | Voters affirm downtown development agreement, 3 story hotel – parking on site |
| October 26, 2020 | Council increases height to 4 stories | First override of Measure P approved project |
| 2020–21 | COVID/delays | Project economics deteriorate |
| Jan. 2022 | City loans $2MM for purchase of offsite parking around the corner and down the street. | New shell company created, buys Railroad Ave property for guest parking. |
| May–June 2022 | Revised design | Larger 133-room version |
| June 13 2022 | Council eliminates underground parking | Second override of Measure P approved project |
| 2022 | City projects May 2024 construction | First major post-restructuring schedule |
| 2024 | No construction | Schedule missed |
| Spring 2025 | Another projected construction date | Also missed |
| 2026 | City now projects 2027 start; company Web page is empty, no way to contact company | Still technically approved; completion date unknown |
Entitlement changes over the years
The chart below focuses on a few relevant milestones that have taken place as the project and land ownership changed hands.
| Date | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| July 27, 2016 | Exclusive Negotiating Rights Agreement (ENRA) | City entered into an agreement with PresidioCo Holdings LLC |
| January 23, 2017 | ENRA extension | Council extended the negotiating agreement. |
| May 22, 2017 | ENRA extension | Council extended the negotiating agreement. |
| November 13, 2017 | ENRA extension until 2/28/2018 | Council extended the negotiating agreement. |
| February 26, 2018 | Hotel Term Sheet | Term sheet established with PresidioCo Holdings LLC, Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA). |
| September 5, 2018 | Formation of project LLC | 2205 Railroad Avenue LLC created, subsidiary of PresidioCo |
| September 10, 2018 | DDA and design approval | DDA with 2205 Railroad Avenue LLC, sale of City-owned parcels |
| December 1, 2018 | Assignment of agreement rights | PresidioCo Holdings LLC assigned its rights, title, and interest in the DDA to PresidioCo Bay Area LLC. |
| January 10, 2022 | Parking site loan granted | $1,923,750 loan by City to 2205 Railroad Avenue LLC |
| January 24, 2022 | 2080 Railroad Avenue LLC created | Shell company to acquire/hold parking site separately |
| October 21, 2022 | Hotel site changes hands | Hotel site now owned by 2205 Railroad Avenue LLC under PresidioCo Bay Area LLC |
| before 2026 | Property rights change | Hotel site now owned by 2205 Railroad Avenue LLC |
| before 2026 | Property rights change | Parking site now owned by 2080 Railroad Avenue LLC |
| June 30, 2026 | Late property tax | 2205 LLC 7 months late paying tax on hotel site. Reason unknown. |
| October 2026 | Property tax delinquent | $144,494.27 is owed for parking site to date. 2080 LLC paid little if any tax since acquiring. |
