Issue No. 1

THE LEDE

People used to bring their kids to feed the ducks.

That is how Richard Draeger described what Blackhawk Plaza used to feel like: a destination, not just a strip mall. The fountain at the center of the open-air complex was once full of fish and waterfowl. Today it is a stagnant pond choked with algae. That image of a beautiful thing slowly rotting has become an accurate description of the whole property.

Draeger's Market, the upscale Peninsula grocery chain that has anchored Blackhawk Plaza since 2007, is closing its Danville location this month. The family that runs the store was direct about the reason. It is not the economy and it is not their product. It is the mall. "The declining condition and maintenance of the Blackhawk Plaza Shopping Center has strongly influenced our decision," owner F. John Draeger said. Co-owner Richard Draeger went further, telling the Mercury News the plaza is now 70 to 80 percent vacant. "This has caused a severe decline in traffic and sales," he said. "It is the result of the problems with the center."

The list of what has already closed is long. The movie theater has been dark for years, with Apple Cinemas reportedly interested in the space but still in limbo. The Grille at Blackhawk closed almost a year ago. Walk the interior today and you will find mostly empty storefronts, crumbling stairs, broken railings, and that algae-covered fountain. One shopper summed it up for a CBS reporter: "On some days, there are more geese in the plaza than people."

The remaining tenants, including Blackhawk Museum, Fat Maddie's, Joya, CorePower Yoga, Brown Butter, and a handful of others, are now watching their anchor walk out the door. Gene Howard, an artist at the Blackhawk Gallery co-op, put it simply: "If things change dramatically, I have no idea what we will do."

It gets more complicated from there. Earlier this month, the East Bay Times reported that Blackhawk Plaza's primary lender, Preferred Bank, has filed two loan defaults against the property's owner, the Ramanujan Group, which purchased the plaza for $28.3 million in 2020. Those loans total $31 million, meaning the debt already exceeds the purchase price. A separate group of commercial property owners has also filed suit in Contra Costa County Superior Court, alleging hazardous conditions including what the complaint describes as "open and live wiring." The Ramanujan Group has denied the maintenance allegations.

For the roughly 48 Draeger's employees losing their jobs locally, none of this is abstract. The closing sale is underway. Worth stopping in before it is too late.

THE RUNDOWN

For the sixth time in nine years, Danville has claimed the top spot on SafeWise's annual California's Safest Cities report, which uses FBI crime data adjusted for population. The town slipped to No. 2 last year, but a decline in both violent and property crime pushed it back to the top for 2026. San Ramon came in at No. 9, the only other Bay Area city in the top ten. Mayor Newell Arnerich credited the department's community policing approach in a statement released this week.

If you drove past South Park at 1885 Camino Ramon on Friday morning and saw a crowd, that was the ribbon cutting for the newly renovated playground. The town replaced the primary play structure and added elements for climbing, balancing, spinning, and swinging. A relocated sand play area improves flow and accessibility, and the original trees were preserved for shade. If your kids have not been, now is a good time.

Students at Monte Vista and San Ramon Valley high schools walked out last month to protest ICE enforcement actions, joining demonstrations at schools across the Tri-Valley and Bay Area. The protests followed two fatal shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis: Renee Good on January 7 and Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, on January 24. At San Ramon Valley, a smaller group of pro-ICE students showed up simultaneously, though both sides remained peaceful. SRVUSD Superintendent CJ Cammack sent families a statement noting that students have a constitutional right to protest during the school day and that the district cannot legally prohibit it. The demonstrations were student-led.

The Dog Park at Hap Magee Ranch Park has been closed since the start of its winter moratorium. The town says it is set to reopen on February 28, assuming the weather cooperates. It will remain closed on Tuesdays until noon for maintenance. One week out.

FAMILY & KIDS

If you have a child in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District and have not been following the budget situation closely, this is the section to read this week.

The district has been working through a mounting structural deficit for the past several years. Last January, the school board unanimously approved a $26 million package of budget cuts, which went into effect this school year. Those cuts included the elimination of more than 129 teacher positions, more than 60 classified employee positions, increased class sizes at the middle and high school level, and the removal of 11 counselors who had been funded with one-time pandemic dollars.

The financial picture has not improved significantly since. An independent audit reviewed by the board in January showed the district's total cost for services rose from $498.5 million to $519.7 million between 2024 and 2025, while its total fund balance dropped from $232.5 million to $209.1 million. The county has placed the district on "qualified" financial status, which means closer oversight and mandatory reporting requirements. Without corrective action, the district projects a deficit of more than $25 million in the next fiscal year.

Superintendent CJ Cammack held a community presentation this past Wednesday, February 19, speaking directly to parents about the funding challenges. The core issue: SRVUSD sits in the bottom 4 percent of California school districts for per-pupil state funding. That is not a reflection of local wealth. It is a structural problem with how California allocates education money, and the district has been pushing Sacramento for changes.

What this means for families right now: larger class sizes, fewer support staff, and reduced programs. If you want to stay involved, school board meetings are held on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at 699 Old Orchard Drive in Danville. Meetings are open to the public and livestreamed on the district's YouTube channel.

If you have a senior at San Ramon Valley High School, a handful of scholarship deadlines are coming up. The Danville San Ramon Rotary Club is offering several awards up to $3,500, with applications due February 20. The Tri Counties Bank Scholarship accepts applications through February 25. The Horatio Alger National Scholarship, one of the largest need-based programs in the country at up to $25,000, has a March 1 deadline. Details and application links are available through the SRVHS College and Career Center.

The town's natural grass sports fields have been closed since the start of the winter moratorium. They are set to reopen February 28, weather permitting. Artificial turf fields have been open throughout. For families with kids in spring sports leagues, outdoor practice is one week away.

MEANWHILE, ON NEXTDOOR...

A weekly roundup of the conversations, concerns, and characters keeping the neighborhood group chats alive. All posts anonymized and summarized.

LOCAL MAN WAGES WAR ON NERF LITTER, LOSES.  A Downtown Danville resident posted a photo this week of what he described as a Nerf dart lodged in a storm drain, warning neighbors that kids playing the local assassins game were “polluting the town.” The post drew 27 reactions and 35 comments. It was not a Nerf dart. Ten separate neighbors informed him, with varying degrees of gentleness, that he had photographed a tampon. “Oh boy, do I have egg on my face,” the author replied. To his credit, he stayed in the thread. One neighbor gave it Post of the Week. Another suggested he “get out of the gutter.” The assassins game, for what it’s worth, appears to be going fine.

THE MALL IS CLOSING AND SOMEONE HAS QUESTIONS.  A South San Ramon resident posted this week asking what happens to the area’s restaurants if Stoneridge Mall closes, and whether everyone being called “Tri-Valley” now was somehow new. The thread drew 92 comments, covered Amazon, smash-and-grabs, inflation in Weimar Germany, and the housing crisis before anyone answered her original question. Multiple neighbors pointed out that “Tri-Valley” has been the regional name for approximately 50 years. One commenter suggested she read her own Nextdoor profile, which apparently contains some relevant biographical context. The catalytic converter joke landed well. The mall question remains open.

TWO BROTHERS, ONE TRUCK, ZERO COMPLAINTS.  A Cameo Acres resident stopped at the taco truck parked in the Danville Grange lot on Diablo Road this week and came away a convert. The post collected 62 reactions and 24 comments, which in Danville terms is basically a Michelin star. Two brothers are running it, reportedly there weekdays from 11 to 2 and most Saturdays. The burritos are big, the crispy tacos are confirmed, and at least one neighbor reported ordering a torta cubana and skipping dinner entirely. One commenter is already hiring them to cater a party. The author’s pro tip for first-timers: look through the side door to check the kitchen. Apparently it looks brand new in there.

BUSTER IS NINE AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS HERE FOR IT.  A Crow Canyon Country Club resident informed the neighborhood this week that her dog Buster has turned nine years old. The AI-generated birthday portrait she posted, featuring Buster in front of a glowing two-tiered cake surrounded by balloons and cosmic light beams, collected 36 reactions and 13 comments of pure, unconditional support. “The most lovable, goofy, happy dog on the planet,” his owner reports. Nobody disputed this.

ONLY IN DANVILLE

The town has scattered 10 bronze acorn sculptures throughout downtown Danville as part of a public art installation called "Acorns of the Old Oak." Each one is roughly the size of a softball. Some are obvious. Some are tucked away. They were created by California artist Chad La Fever through an open call last spring. The town ran a community naming contest, and once names are finalized, each acorn will get its own story and a spot on a walking map. A good reason to take a slow lap around downtown. Auggie the Acorn would presumably approve.

ON THE CALENDAR

Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps  |  March 6 through 29, Village Theatre

This stage adaptation of the Hitchcock classic promises jaw-dropping physical comedy, rapid costume changes, and over 100 characters portrayed by exactly four actors. Performances every weekend in March. A solid Friday date night option.

Future Planning Panel at the Senior Center  |  February 18, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Free event covering legal, financial, and lifestyle guidance for major life transitions. Danville Senior Center. Open to adults and seniors.

Journey Revisited Tribute Show  |  April 4, 8 p.m., Village Theatre

A California-based Journey tribute act, full live band, no pre-recorded backing tracks. If "Don't Stop Believin'" is your karaoke go-to, this one is for you.

THE NUMBER

70 to 80%

The vacancy rate at Blackhawk Plaza, according to departing tenant Richard Draeger. For context, the national average retail vacancy rate sits around 4 to 5 percent. Blackhawk Plaza is not in a normal retail situation.

FINAL THOUGHT

Danville just got named the safest city in California. This same week, its school district is cutting teachers and its most beloved grocery store is closing. And somewhere out there, a coyote is walking through a neighborhood making eye contact with everyone and caring about none of it.

The Danville Dispatch is an independent community newsletter. Every fact is verified before publication. Tips, corrections, and story ideas are always welcome.