The project involves multiple Hayward addresses. Subsequent reporting cited 76 megawatts of backup-generating capacity. That figure describes reported backup capacity, not necessarily the project’s continuous electricity consumption.

Residents question scale and oversight

Residents raised concerns about the project’s size and potential demand on the electric system. The development has also prompted broader questions about whether Hayward’s existing rules adequately address data centers and whether public-benefit requirements are sufficient for projects of this scale.

The approval occurred at the Planning Commission level. The development’s advancement before a full City Council decision has become part of the public concern surrounding the project. No City Council approval or rejection is identified here.

The project could affect Hayward’s electricity infrastructure, industrial land use, emissions and traffic. Those possible effects are part of the reason the data center has become a city planning issue rather than only a private development matter.

Next listed commission meeting

The city’s next listed Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Aug. 27, 2026. The meeting is the next identified point on the commission calendar for additional public discussion or action related to planning matters.

The approval date and vote tally require confirmation from the underlying commission minutes or resolution. The project’s application number, final approval conditions, total site acreage and projected permanent jobs are also not identified in the public details summarized here.

The plan calls for eight drones positioned across Hayward. The drones are intended to provide live information from an emergency scene, giving responders an aerial view before officers reach the location.

The estimated annual cost is approximately $589,000. The approval moves the city toward selecting a vendor and establishing how the system will operate, but it does not mean the drones are already responding to calls.

What the program would do

Under the proposed Drone as First Responder model, drones would be placed at locations around the city and dispatched to certain emergency calls. The stated purpose is to give police and other responders more information during the early minutes of an incident.

Hayward Police Chief Bryan Matthews presented the program to the council. The Police Department lists emergency response, search and rescue, disaster response, fire investigation and criminal investigations among the uses for its unmanned aircraft systems.

The program would change how Hayward handles the first stage of some emergencies. A drone could provide information about conditions at a scene before an officer arrives, although the city has not provided performance data showing how the program would affect response times.

Next step is vendor bidding

The city issued a request for proposals for a Drone as First Responder solution. Bids are due July 13, 2026.

The city has not identified a selected vendor, launch date or exact operating hours in the records cited for the program. Those details would come after the proposal process and further implementation decisions.

The council’s June 16 action concerned incorporating Drone as First Responder operations into the Police Department’s existing police unmanned aircraft systems program. The approval therefore establishes a direction for the program while leaving procurement and operating details to be worked out.

Oversight questions remain

Using drones in response to 911 calls also raises questions beyond the technology itself. Those include who has authority to dispatch a drone, how surveillance footage would be handled, how long data would be retained, whether facial-recognition tools would be permitted and what information would be available to the public.

The city’s stated uses extend beyond immediate emergency calls to search and rescue, disaster response, fire investigation and criminal investigations. That broader range of uses makes the eventual operating rules important for residents, people involved in emergency incidents and neighborhoods where the drones are positioned.

For now, the clearest next date is July 13, when proposals for the system are due. The city’s procurement and later policy decisions will determine when the eight-drone program begins, how it is dispatched and what safeguards govern its use.

The change came in April 2026, as the city continues to track two large data-center projects that are already under construction or partly operating. Hayward says no application for a new data center is currently pending.

What the new process requires

Under the amended code, data centers now have their own land-use category. Any future application must receive approval for a Major Conditional Use Permit, rather than proceeding through a less extensive approval path.

The application must also go to a public hearing before the Hayward City Council. That gives the council a formal role in deciding whether a proposed facility can move forward and under what conditions.

Applicants must complete environmental review and submit both a Sustainability Plan and a Community Benefits Plan. The city’s process also includes a 300-foot notice radius for affected properties, providing nearby property owners and occupants with notice of a proposed project.

The requirements are aimed at bringing the potential effects of large facilities into the public review process. The city identifies electricity, water, infrastructure and neighborhood impacts as issues that could be affected by future data-center development.

Two projects are already in the city’s pipeline

The city’s data-center page lists STACK SVY03A as under construction, with an estimated capacity of 76.6 megawatts. Hayward Exchange @ 92 is also under construction and partially operational, with an estimated capacity of 49 megawatts.

Electrical capacity is an estimate of the facilities’ planned or rated scale; it is not the same as a reported measurement of current electricity consumption.

Hayward says the STACK project was approved by the Planning Commission on May 22, 2025, and that no appeal was filed. The city’s current page does not identify a pending application for another new data center.

Why the change matters

Data centers can be large industrial facilities whose development raises questions about utility demand, water use, supporting infrastructure and effects on nearby neighborhoods. Hayward’s new rules do not establish a reported limit on the size of a future facility, but they do require those proposals to undergo a defined public approval process.

The Major Conditional Use Permit and City Council hearing also create points at which project details can be reviewed publicly. Environmental documents, sustainability measures and proposed community benefits will be part of the application requirements for future projects.

For residents near a proposed site, the 300-foot notice radius identifies the area the city uses for direct notice of affected properties. The public hearing requirement provides a separate opportunity for community input before the council acts on an application.

For now, the next step is tied to any future proposal rather than a currently pending application. A new applicant would need to assemble the required plans and environmental review, obtain a Major Conditional Use Permit and appear before the City Council before the project could receive approval through the new process.

The project has multiple Hayward addresses and became the subject of local policy debate. The city’s response was to rewrite or adjust development rules addressing the category of project, although the accessible record does not establish that the data center alone caused every policy change.

A large demand on the local system

Data centers can require substantial electrical service even when the most visible question is where the buildings will be located. In this case, the Hayward Herald reported a comparison that puts the project’s electrical capacity at roughly the equivalent of 76,000 homes.

That figure is a comparison, not a precise megawatt measurement. The available source packet does not include the underlying approval resolution or an official capacity figure, so it cannot support a more exact estimate. It also does not confirm whether the facility is operating or under construction.

For Hayward, the issue reaches beyond a single project. The city’s development decisions can affect industrial land-use policy, infrastructure planning and how future data-center proposals are evaluated. The reported scale of the project gives those questions a concrete local focus.

Rules changed after the approval

The city’s subsequent rule changes are the second major part of the story. The reporting describes Hayward as adjusting its development rules after approving the project, signaling that the city is examining how this category of use should fit into its planning framework.

That does not mean the city has rejected the approved project or that every future data center will face the same outcome. The available materials do not identify the full text of the revised rules, the precise policy action, or the conditions attached to the project’s approval.

The city maintains a development-project dashboard and active planning-application records for major projects. Its legislative system provides agendas, minutes and videos for City Council policy actions. Those systems are the relevant places to verify the approval resolution, any final conditions and the details of the rule changes.

What remains to be confirmed

The accessible official records reviewed for this report did not expose the applicant, parcel numbers, precise electrical capacity, full approval resolution or final conditions. They also did not provide a confirmed construction or operating status.

Those missing details matter because the reported 76,000-home comparison alone cannot answer how the project would connect to the electrical system, what infrastructure work might be required or how the city weighed the project against other industrial land uses.

For now, the verified development is that Hayward approved a major data center, and the city later adjusted rules for this type of development. The next public-record question is how the approval and revised rules are documented in the city’s planning and legislative files. The source packet does not identify a further vote, deadline or implementation date.

The deadline moves the proposal closer to a citywide vote, but it is not the same as voter approval. The approved city materials establish the filing schedule and the city’s revenue projection; they do not establish that the measure has passed or that the filing has already been completed.

What the City Council approved

The Hayward City Council voted June 2, 2026, to place the proposed business-license-tax measure on the November 3 ballot. The proposal would modernize a business-license tax that the city says has not been updated since 1978.

If adopted, the measure could generate about $12 million in additional annual revenue until it is repealed, according to the City of Hayward. That figure is a projection of potential revenue, not money already collected and not a guaranteed budget increase.

The city’s materials describe the revenue as available for general services. They identify police protection, firefighting, 911 response, libraries and pothole repair among the services the money could support.

That list does not amount to a final spending plan. The approved sources do not specify how much money would go to any one service, and they do not establish that each listed service would receive a dedicated allocation.

What happens after the filing deadline

The city’s election schedule sets the next phase of the ballot process after August 7. Direct arguments for the measure may be filed from August 10 through August 20.

Rebuttal arguments are due by noon on August 14. Those deadlines give supporters and opponents a formal opportunity to present arguments for the ballot materials, although the approved sources do not identify the people or groups that will submit them.

The November 3, 2026, election will determine whether voters adopt the proposed tax update. Until then, the measure remains a proposal, and the approximately $12 million figure remains the city’s estimate of what it could generate if approved.

What is not yet established

The approved materials do not provide the proposed tax rates or explain the effect on individual businesses. They also do not establish the measure’s election result, opposition spending, campaign activity or a final plan for using the projected revenue.

For Hayward residents, businesses and voters, the immediate question is whether the required ballot materials are filed by the August 7 deadline. The larger decision will come in November, when voters weigh the proposed modernization of a tax last changed in 1978 against the city’s projection of additional funding for general services.

The city announced the early results on July 14, 2026, after deploying the system on Tennyson Road in May 2025 and on Winton Avenue/D Street in November 2025. The project covers defined corridor segments and named intersections, not all of Hayward’s streets.

What the city measured

On Tennyson Road, the city reported that westbound morning traffic increased from an average of 16 mph to 22 mph, a 43% improvement. The city also reported westbound afternoon gains of 28%, eastbound morning gains of 20% and eastbound afternoon gains of 21%.

On Winton Avenue/D Street, westbound morning traffic rose from 13 mph to 19 mph, or 49%, according to the city. The reported gains were 24% westbound in the afternoon, 23% eastbound in the morning and 24% eastbound in the afternoon.

Those figures are city-reported corridor results. They do not establish that adaptive signals alone caused every improvement, or that every driver experienced the same change.

Where the system operates

The Tennyson Road segment runs from Sleepy Hollow Avenue to Dixon Street, covering approximately 2.1 miles. The Winton Avenue/D Street segment runs from Santa Clara Street to Atherton Street, covering approximately 1.2 miles.

Regional project records describe a 17-signal scope involving equipment and control upgrades. The work includes adaptive-control software, communications and networking upgrades, signal controllers, video detection and related signal infrastructure.

Adaptive signals use current traffic information to adjust signal timing in response to demand, rather than relying only on fixed schedules. For Hayward commuters, that means timing can respond to changing traffic conditions along the covered corridors.

Funding and project records

The project received a $515,000 Transportation Fund for Clean Air award from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Alameda County Transportation Commission, or Alameda CTC, distributes the county’s TFCA funds as the county program manager.

Hayward City Council records identify the work as Project No. 05342 and document a separate TransCore implementation-services agreement with a not-to-exceed amount of $202,500. Alameda CTC’s fiscal 2024-25 compliance report lists $192,524 in reported expenditures for the project and documents the corridor and equipment scope.

What the results do not show

The city’s announcement describes an early assessment of specified corridor segments and signal locations. It is not a citywide traffic study, a guarantee of permanent performance or proof that all intersections in Hayward will see comparable gains.

The project’s clean-air funding purpose also should not be read as measured proof of emissions reductions. The available results concern traffic-flow speeds, while longer-term performance and any emissions effects would require continued evaluation.

For now, the practical takeaway is limited but useful: drivers on parts of Tennyson Road and Winton Avenue/D Street may encounter signal timing that responds more closely to traffic conditions. Hayward’s next important measure will be whether the reported gains persist across different traffic patterns, seasons and operating conditions.

Sources

• City of Hayward traffic-flow results announcement
• Alameda CTC Hayward FY2024-25 compliance report

The city lists STACK SVY03A as a 76.6-megawatt project that is under construction. The Planning Commission approved it on May 22, 2025, before Hayward created a specific data-center land-use category. The city says no appeal was filed.

That timing remains important as residents and businesses continue to question the project’s environmental, infrastructure and neighborhood effects, while future applicants now face a more explicit public process.

What Hayward approved in 2025

STACK SVY03A is planned for an approximately 11-acre site at 26062 Eden Landing Road. The project includes a three-story data center, generator yard, substation, switching yard and related accessory structures and site improvements.

The Planning Commission considered application SPR-23-0036 as a Major Site Plan Review and Administrative Use Permit application. The May 22 agenda also included the project’s environmental documents, mitigation-monitoring and reporting program, public-benefits package and sustainability plan.

At the time, Hayward’s municipal code did not identify data centers as their own land-use category. The city says they were handled under the broader “office” use category, which could be approved administratively. The Planning Commission hearing occurred because STACK’s other project features required Major Site Plan Review.

The California Energy Commission’s record identifies the agency as the lead agency for the project’s environmental review. The commission adopted a mitigated negative declaration and granted a Small Power Plant Exemption in May 2025. Hayward’s Planning Commission agenda separately called for the city to review and certify the environmental documents and mitigation-monitoring program as part of the local approval.

What changed in April 2026

In April 2026, the City Council amended the Hayward Municipal Code to create a specific data-center category. Any new data-center application must now receive a Major Conditional Use Permit and go to a public hearing before the City Council.

Future applicants must also submit sustainability and community-benefits plans and undergo environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act. Hayward says properties within 300 feet of a proposed project must receive mailed notice when an application is received and when a public meeting is scheduled.

The city currently reports no pending applications for another new data center.

The new rules do not change STACK’s approval

The April code amendment does not, by itself, convert, cancel or reopen STACK SVY03A. The project was approved under the earlier framework and remains listed by Hayward as under construction.

Future applicants will face a more explicit public process than STACK did. STACK remains governed primarily by its existing approval, conditions and permits unless a later legal, permit or agency action changes that record.

What the state docket shows

The California Energy Commission docket for STACK includes a June 18, 2026 staff memorandum requesting that docket 23-SPPE-01 be closed. The memo says the commission granted the project’s Small Power Plant Exemption on May 8, 2025 and asks the docket unit to close the proceeding.

The docket log records that request, but the available record reviewed for this article does not establish that the docket was formally closed. It also does not show that every construction, monitoring or operational obligation has ended.

A May 5, 2025 Hayward letter in the CEC docket states that the city would process the project’s planning entitlements and related building, grading and encroachment permits. It also says the city would enforce the mitigation-monitoring and reporting program after approval of the entitlement application. That document describes the oversight framework; it is not a current certification that all mitigation measures have been completed.

Those records address different parts of the project. The city’s listing concerns local construction status and development oversight. The state memorandum concerns the requested closure of the CEC proceeding. Neither establishes that construction is complete.

Why residents are still watching

Public comments recorded in the CEC docket and recent local reporting show continuing opposition as well as support. Residents have raised concerns about water, energy, air quality, shoreline habitat, noise and the project’s classification under the former code. Those comments are part of the public record, not findings by the CEC or the city.

OpGov.News reported that some local businesses and workers supported the project because of expected customer growth, construction employment and apprenticeship opportunities. The outlet also reported concerns from businesses affected by relocation or reduced walkable space near the construction area. Those accounts are attributed statements and do not establish the project’s final economic effects.

For Hayward residents and nearby property owners, the next useful records to watch are construction and inspection updates, mitigation-monitoring reports, permit actions, any formal confirmation of CEC docket closure and applications submitted under the city’s new data-center rules.

Sources

• City of Hayward — Data Center Development Applications
• Hayward Planning Commission agenda — STACK SVY03A, May 22, 2025
• California Energy Commission — STACK SVY03A Docket 23-SPPE-01
• OpGov.News — Hayward residents’ concerns about the data-center approval

The affected locations are the Tennyson High School pedestrian crossing near Schafer Road and Huntwood Avenue, and the West Industrial Parkway crossing between Pacific Street and Taylor Avenue, according to an Alameda County Transportation Commission advisory.

What pedestrians and commuters should expect

People walking, biking or rolling through either crossing should expect temporary path and sidewalk closures during the announced work window. Alameda CTC is directing users to follow posted signs and adjust their routes as needed. The advisory does not identify specific detour routes.

Nearby residents and travelers may also experience construction noise, dust near the work areas and limited nighttime work. Reduced street parking is expected at the Tennyson High School pedestrian crossing. Students and families traveling near the high school should allow extra time and follow on-site directions.

Roadways near the construction areas are expected to remain open and accessible during this work. That does not mean pedestrian access will remain unchanged: users should rely on posted construction instructions and be prepared for field conditions to change.

Part of a larger Hayward safety project

The Aug. 4-8 work is a construction window within Alameda CTC’s broader Rail Safety Enhancement Program, which is being carried out with the City of Hayward and Union Pacific Railroad. The program is intended to improve safety and access at at-grade rail crossings through upgrades such as enhanced pedestrian facilities, warning devices, fencing, lighting and signage.

Alameda CTC says the first part of Phase A construction in Hayward and Livermore began in June 2026. Additional construction work is expected at other Hayward crossings and project schedules will continue to be updated as the program advances.

Project documents identify Hayward locations including the Tennyson High School pedestrian crossing, Industrial Parkway, Industrial Parkway Trail and the Leidig Court trespass location. The Industrial Parkway crossing and Industrial Parkway Trail crossing are treated as separate locations in the later project design.

Earlier work and what comes next

The City of Hayward announced in July that construction activity had begun at the Tennyson High School and Industrial Parkway Trail crossings, with intermittent improvements expected later in the summer. The new Aug. 4-8 schedule is a separate, currently announced construction window within that broader effort.

The dates are approximate and may change because of weather, field conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. Residents, students, trail users and commuters should check posted notices at the crossings for updated instructions and changing access conditions.

Sources

• Alameda CTC August 2026 Hayward construction advisory
• City of Hayward rail-crossing safety notice

The City Attorney’s impartial analysis is due Monday, Aug. 3. The measure remains a proposal and would require voter approval before the proposed tax changes could take effect.

What voters will see

The ballot question asks whether Hayward should update its Business License Tax for the first time since 1978, support general city services and establish a $60 minimum tax with proposed rates ranging from $0.30 to $3.75 per $1,000 of gross receipts, with higher rates for higher-grossing businesses.

The election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. A yes vote would approve the ordinance described in the measure.

How the proposed tax would change

Hayward’s current annual tax structure is based on flat fees by business category, employee counts and limited gross-receipts categories. City records say the current structure was adopted July 11, 1978, and has not been comprehensively amended since then.

The proposed ordinance would move more businesses toward a gross-receipts-based system. The city describes the framework as more progressive, with generally higher rates for higher-grossing, typically larger businesses and lower rates for lower-grossing, typically smaller businesses.

The proposed rate schedule ranges from $0.30 to $3.75 per $1,000 of gross receipts, depending on the business category and revenue bracket, with a $60 minimum tax. The city’s published table also lists estimated average effective rates that differ by category. For example, the table lists average effective rates of $0.60 per $1,000 for retail sales, $0.78 for business and personal services, $1.60 for professional services, $3.77 for commercial rental property and $3.76 for residential rental property in buildings with four or more units.

Those are city estimates, not a claim that every business or industry would pay more. The table projects changes in revenue by category, including retail sales rising from about $694,000 under the current structure to about $1.74 million under the proposal, while hotel and motel revenue rises from about $8,000 to about $9,000. Actual effects would depend on the business category, gross receipts and the ordinance’s detailed schedule. Businesses should review the full ordinance for specific calculations.

Where the money would go

The Business License Tax is a general tax. Revenue would go into Hayward’s General Fund rather than being dedicated to one specific department or project.

City materials list police protection, firefighting, 911 response, library operations, pothole repair, maintenance and graffiti cleanup among the services supported through the General Fund. The city estimates that the modernization would add approximately $12 million annually, but that is a projection rather than a guaranteed annual collection or a promise of funding for a particular service.

How the measure reached the ballot

The City Council voted unanimously June 2 to place the measure before voters. The council’s legislative record says the action established the Nov. 3 election date, approved the ballot question and underlying ordinance, requested consolidation with the statewide general election, directed preparation of the City Attorney’s impartial analysis and established ballot-argument procedures.

Key dates ahead

• Aug. 3: Deadline to file the City Attorney’s impartial analysis with the City Clerk.
• Aug. 7: Deadline to file the ballot question, full text and impartial analysis with the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and Registrar of Voters.
• Aug. 10 at noon: Deadline to file direct arguments with the City Clerk.
• Aug. 14 at noon: Deadline to file rebuttal arguments with the City Clerk.
• Aug. 24: Deadline to submit direct and rebuttal arguments to the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.
• Nov. 3: Hayward voters decide the measure.

As of Aug. 1, the city’s ballot-measures page listed the impartial analysis as “Coming Soon.”

Sources

• City of Hayward ballot-measures notice
• Hayward City Council legislation record, LB 26-011

Compared with the previous daily check on July 30, regular gas increased 0.2 cents per gallon. Diesel rose 2.3 cents. The one-week comparison shows diesel moving faster as well: regular gas is up 5.1 cents from a week earlier, while diesel is up 12.2 cents.

Diesel is showing the faster increase

The separate movements matter for Hayward-area drivers because gasoline and diesel serve different parts of the local economy. Most household commuters and weekend travelers are watching the regular-gas average, which remains just above $5.65 per gallon. Diesel users are facing both a higher price and a faster weekly increase.

Diesel costs can affect delivery operators, contractors, landscapers, service companies, restaurants that rely on deliveries, and other businesses that use larger vehicles or equipment. Those costs may show up gradually through fuel surcharges, service-call pricing, delivery fees, or tighter operating margins, although the available price data does not identify a specific cause for the recent increase.

Hayward station snapshot is above the metro average

A 7-Eleven station at 700 W. A Street in Hayward listed regular gas at $5.749 per gallon and diesel at $6.949. The station page says its prices were updated within 24 hours.

That listing is a single-location snapshot, not a citywide Hayward average. It was about 9.5 cents above the Oakland metro regular-gas average and 9.3 cents above the metro diesel average in the July 31 comparison. Prices can vary by station, neighborhood, membership program, payment method, and timing, so drivers should compare nearby locations before filling up.

What Hayward drivers should watch

For households, the latest figures point to continued pressure on commuting and travel budgets. Drivers with larger tanks may feel the cost more quickly, while small businesses with frequent service calls or deliveries may be more exposed to diesel’s faster rise.

The near-term signal is whether diesel continues to widen its increase compared with regular gasoline. Regular gas has moved only slightly since the last daily check, but both fuels are higher than they were one week ago.

What are you seeing around Hayward? Share the highest and lowest pump prices you have found locally, along with the station area and fuel type.

Sources

• AAA Oakland metro fuel-price table
• 7-Eleven Hayward station listing

The election will be Hayward’s first using the district-based City Council system established by the City Council in 2024. The mayor will still be elected citywide, but voters will choose council members by district.

What will be on the ballot

The offices up for election are the mayor and City Council seats for District 1 and District 6. Each position carries a four-year term.

The mayoral race remains an at-large contest, meaning all Hayward voters may vote for mayor. The District 1 and District 6 races are different: candidates must live in the district they seek to represent, and only voters in that district may vote for that council seat.

That distinction matters for residents evaluating council campaigns or deciding which races apply to them. Hayward’s elections page includes a district locator that voters can use to identify their council district.

Key dates for candidates

The regular nomination period began July 13 and closes at 5 p.m. Aug. 7. Candidates must obtain and file the required nomination documents with the Hayward City Clerk. Appointments are required for receiving or filing documents, so prospective candidates should begin the process before the final day.

An Aug. 12 extension is possible, but it is not automatic for every office. If an eligible incumbent does not file by the Aug. 7 deadline, the filing period for that particular office may remain open until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12.

The final candidate field should not be assumed before the filing period closes and the City Clerk confirms which candidates qualified.

Campaign-finance deadlines arrive first

People running for office also face campaign-finance reporting requirements before the nomination deadline. The California Fair Political Practices Commission lists July 31 as a Form 460 deadline for applicable candidate-controlled committees.

Not every candidate necessarily files the same form. Depending on campaign activity and committee status, some candidates may qualify to use Form 470 instead. Candidates should confirm which filing applies to their campaign rather than treating the Form 460 deadline as universal.

The FPPC schedule also identifies Aug. 5, 2026, as the start of a 24-hour reporting period for certain contributions. Additional pre-election reporting deadlines are Sept. 24 and Oct. 22.

What voters should watch next

After the filing period ends, Hayward residents should check the City Clerk’s election information for qualifying candidates, any filing extensions, and the official ballot-order process. A randomized drawing is scheduled under the election calendar to determine ballot order.

For voters, the main practical change is that the mayoral race remains citywide while council races are tied to specific districts. Residents considering a District 1 or District 6 campaign should verify their residence and voter eligibility before filing. Everyone else should use the city’s district locator and confirm registration information before assessing the council candidates who will appear on their ballot.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Until the Aug. 7 deadline passes, the list of candidates and whether any office receives an extension remain subject to change.

Sources

• City of Hayward candidate calendar
• California FPPC 2026 local candidate filing schedule
• Alameda County candidate filing guide

Hayward officials wrapped up a busy midweek schedule with a special joint meeting at City Hall on Thursday evening, February 5. Council members and park district leaders focused on infrastructure planning and airport-related projects, signaling continued attention on long-term maintenance and transportation needs.

City leaders also reminded residents that City Hall and some nonessential services will be closed on Thursday, February 12. Essential services will remain available, and online tools like Access Hayward continue to be the fastest way to report issues or reach city departments.

Public Safety Notes

The Hayward Police Department issued fresh reminders this week about community safety and youth curfew rules. Officers emphasized outreach over enforcement, encouraging families to stay informed about curfew hours and available youth programs throughout the city.

Police leaders also highlighted ongoing recruitment and community partnership efforts, part of a broader push to strengthen neighborhood-level trust and visibility.

What’s Happening This Weekend

The weekend calendar is full, especially for families and teens. On Friday, February 6, the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District hosts the Great Hayward Cakeover, a free cake-decorating event aimed at teens.

Saturday and Sunday bring multiple performances of the Youth Conservatory’s production of The Sound of Music, along with the Hayward Youth Commission’s Makers Market on Saturday. These events reflect a steady return to in-person community gatherings across the city.

Looking ahead, recreation staff say February’s lineup continues with outdoor activities, volunteer opportunities, and seasonal programs designed to keep residents engaged despite cooler winter weather.

Looking Ahead

With council committees active, community events well-attended, and service reminders in place, the start of February shows Hayward balancing day-to-day operations with longer-term planning. Residents are encouraged to stay connected through city calendars and community boards as the month unfolds.

Sources

https://www.hayward-ca.gov/

https://www.hayward-ca.gov/your-government/city-council

https://www.hayward-ca.gov/police-department

https://www.haywardrec.org/

https://www.haywardrec.org/2058/Special-Events

Hayward police are investigating a fatal collision that occurred near Tennyson Road and Calaroga Avenue. The incident resulted in the death of a 26-year-old woman. Authorities are seeking information from the public to assist in their investigation. Anyone with details is encouraged to contact the Hayward Police Department.

Community Birthday Party to Celebrate Hayward’s Sesquicentennial

The City of Hayward has announced plans for a community birthday party to celebrate its sesquicentennial on March 11. The event aims to bring together residents to commemorate 150 years of Hayward’s history and community spirit. Details about the celebration, including location and activities, will be provided as the date approaches.

Sources

• Arrest Made in Fatal Collision Near Tennyson Road and Calaroga Avenue
• City of Hayward Official Website

On December 11, 2025, a gas explosion occurred in Hayward’s Ashland neighborhood, injuring six people and destroying a home. The explosion was captured on a doorbell camera, showing a large excavator digging near the home moments before the blast. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.

Upcoming Events in Hayward

Several events are scheduled in Hayward for February 2026:

• Top Tracer Golf – February 3, 2026
• Great Hayward Cakeover – February 6, 2026
• H.A.R.D. Youth Conservatory: Sound of Music – February 7, 2026
• Hayward Youth Commission Makers Market – February 7, 2026
• Love in the Animal Kingdom – February 13, 2026
• Volunteers in Parks – Sorensdale – February 14, 2026
• Valentine’s Vistas – February 14, 2026

For more details, visit the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District’s official website.

City Hall and Nonessential Services Closure

Hayward City Hall and nonessential services will be closed on Thursday, February 12, 2026. Residents are advised to plan accordingly.

State of the City Address

Mayor Mark Salinas will deliver the annual State of the City address on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 6 p.m. The event will be held at the Hayward Unified School District Performing Arts Center, located at 2390 Panama Street in Hayward.

Community Birthday Party for Hayward’s Sesquicentennial

A community birthday party is planned to celebrate Hayward’s sesquicentennial on March 11, 2026. Details about the event will be announced soon.

Help Redesign Hayward Streets to Reduce Traffic Injuries and Fatalities

The City of Hayward is seeking community input to redesign streets aimed at reducing traffic injuries and fatalities. Residents are encouraged to participate in upcoming workshops and surveys.

Sources

• Hayward Area Recreation and Park District
• City of Hayward Official Website
• City of Hayward News

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Hayward residents are advised to be prepared for potential flooding as a Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect until noon on Sunday, February 1, 2026. The advisory warns of up to 1.3 feet of inundation above ground level in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. Residents are encouraged to take necessary actions to protect flood-prone property and avoid driving through water of unknown depth.

Bubble Extravaganza Show at Hayward Area Senior Center

Families looking for a fun activity can attend the Bubble Extravaganza Show today at 10:00 AM at the Hayward Area Senior Center. This event promises a delightful experience with bubble performances and interactive activities suitable for all ages. Tickets are available for purchase at the venue.

Additional Local Events

For those interested in other community events, the Hayward Public Library is hosting a Yoga at the Library session today at 10:30 AM at the Downtown Library. This wellness-focused class, led by certified instructor Iva Chu, is designed to unlock energy, strength, and joy. Mats are provided, but attendees are welcome to bring their own. Additionally, the Saturday Storytime session at the Weekes Branch Library at 11:00 AM offers a 30-minute program of stories, songs, and movement for children and families.

Sources

• Coastal Flood Advisory Details
• Bubble Extravaganza Show Information
• Hayward Public Library Events

5:44 PM · Saturday, January 31, 2026 · Hayward, CA: 63°F (Clear) · Humidity 63% · Wind 6 mph

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What's happening in Hayward?

Daily weather snapshot captured automatically for historical reference.