City Government
New County Administration Building Unveiled at ‘Grand Opening’
An outdoor event marked the “Grand Opening” of the new Contra Costa County Administration Building in downtown Martinez Tuesday, with local officials and other stakeholders coming out for the midday celebration. The event ushered in the opening of a state-of-the-art office administration building and civic plaza located on historic grounds formerly occupied by a now-demolished office tower and jail from circa 1902.
By Kathy Chouteau
The Richmond Standard
An outdoor event marked the “Grand Opening” of the new Contra Costa County Administration Building in downtown Martinez Tuesday, with local officials and other stakeholders coming out for the midday celebration.
The event ushered in the opening of a state-of-the-art office administration building and civic plaza located on historic grounds formerly occupied by a now-demolished office tower and jail from circa 1902.
Speakers that day outside the newly unveiled, modern building included Chief Assistant County Administrator, Contra Costa County Eric Angstadt; Board Chair Federal D. Glover, District 5 Supervisor; and Mayor of Martinez Brianne Zorn. District 1 Supervisor John Gioia, who represents Richmond and other nearby cities, was also in attendance.
The new Administration Building features state-of-the-art architecture by KMD Architects that syncs with nearby historic buildings, while concurrently being constructed with sustainable elements such as on-site photovoltaics for high-performance energy use, responsibly sourced finishes, and low-embodied carbon materials.
Additions to the new space include a new public law library, ground-floor retail spaces, a parking garage, street improvements and an advanced storm water system.
The building has also consolidated essential services under one roof by housing various County administrative departments such as the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice, the Law Library, the Public Defender and the County Sheriff’s Civil Division.
The new Contra Costa County Administration Building is located at 1025 Escobar St. in Martinez. Check out a video tour of the new building at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF4jp3N7X4w
Additions to the new space include a new public law library, ground-floor retail spaces, a parking garage, street improvements and an advanced storm water system. The building has also consolidated essential services under one roof by housing various County administrative departments such as the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice, the Law Library, the Public Defender and the County Sheriff’s Civil Division.
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Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
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Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025
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IN MEMORIAM: William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94
Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.
William “Bill” Patterson, 94, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, at his home in Oakland, CA. He was born on May 19, 1931, to Marie Childress Patterson and William Benjamin Patterson in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from Dunbar High School and traveled to Oakland, California, in 1948. William Patterson graduated from San Francisco State University, earning both graduate and undergraduate degrees. He married Euradell “Dell” Patterson in 1961. Bill lovingly took care of his wife, Dell, until she died in 2020.
Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.
He served on the boards of Oakland’s Urban Strategies Council, the Oakland Public Ethics Commission, and the Oakland Workforce Development Board.
He was a three-term president of the Oakland branch of the NAACP.
Bill was initiated in the Gamma Alpha chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
In 1997 Bill was appointed to the East Bay Utility District Board of Directors. William Patterson was the first African American Board President and served the board for 27 years.
Bill’s impact reached far beyond his various important and impactful positions.
Bill mentored politicians, athletes and young people. Among those he mentored and advised are legends Joe Morgan, Bill Russell, Frank Robinson, Curt Flood, and Lionel Wilson to name a few.
He is survived by his son, William David Patterson, and one sister, Sarah Ann Strickland, and a host of other family members and friends.
A celebration of life service will take place at Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center (Calvin Simmons Theater) on November 21, 2025, at 10 AM.
His services are being livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1250167107131991/
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Euradell and William Patterson scholarship fund TBA.
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