Today, the City’s popular Recycling Center is located on the site of the former Hutchinson Quarry (pictured here) which was started
in 1900 at Navellier Street and Schmidt Lane site. Photo from the El Cerrito Historical Society Collection
16,624, and continued to increase in the post-war housing
boom, reaching 18,011 in 1950.
By the 1960s, El Cerrito took on the motto “The City
of Homes” and focused on improvements such as the parks
and recreation system, which is still enjoyed today. Today, El
Cerrito is proud to be an environmental leader and fosters
environmental sustainability.
City Hall (built in 2008) is a LEED certified “green”
building, as is the Recycling + Environmental Resource
Center (rebuilt in 2013). The City has adopted a Climate
Action Plan (2013) and an Urban Greening Plan (2015).
With support from voters, over the last decade, the City has
invested in road maintenance and the local street pavement
condition is now rated among the top 3 cities in the Bay
Area.
In 2014, the City Council adopted the San Pablo Avenue
Specific Plan which has spurred new investment to help the
City achieve its longstanding goal of transforming San Pablo
Avenue into a vibrant place with opportunities for living,
working and community life. After many years, without
much change in the built environment, the City is currently
considering or has recently approved approximately
15 projects, with more on the way, which will provide
approximately 1,000 residential units and 28,000 square feet
of new commercial space.
El Cerrito has a proud history of civic engagement and
currently has over 80 residents serving on 14 advisory bodies,
as well as many activity community groups that contribute to
the quality of life enjoyed by residents and visitors.
Picture taken of the El Cerrito Fire Department shortly after the
new fire station and City Hall building was dedicated in 1926.
Photo from the El Cerrito Historical Society Collection.