Stanford Medicine is preparing a formal proposal to build a cancer center on its Redwood City campus. Before it does, Redwood City's council is starting to shape what the community should get in return. At a study session Monday, Oct. 26, councilmembers and residents said the package must include the neighborhoods next door, the San Mateo Daily Journal reported.

What Stanford is proposing

According to Stanford Medicine's June 2026 project description, the plan would amend the Stanford in Redwood City Precise Plan and the city's General Plan to allow:

  • 1.75 million square feet of cancer-focused buildings up to 10 stories, or 175 feet, tall. That adds 1.17 million square feet to what was already approved.
  • A cancer hospital with up to 470 inpatient beds, plus an outpatient clinic building and a research building.
  • An extension of Hurlingame Avenue between Bay Road and Broadway, and a longer greenway.
  • An estimated 3,200 to 3,700 added jobs over the life of the project.

The Daily Journal reported that growing the current 48-acre campus would require an amendment to the existing development agreement, which would include a new community benefits package.

North Fair Oaks wants a seat

The campus sits in Redwood City's Friendly Acres neighborhood, across the street from unincorporated North Fair Oaks. Angie Ibarra, founder and executive director of the youth nonprofit Levantar, said the existing agreement with Stanford sent "very little" benefit to North Fair Oaks. "Now we ask you to translate that recognition into a meaningful role in developing the community benefits agreement," she said, according to the Daily Journal.

Councilmember Marcella Padilla said she wants North Fair Oaks residents to be heard. "We have to know our history, we have to understand where our residents are coming from, and make sure that we present a benefits package that address all the needs of our community," she said.

The study session was a high-level discussion only. The council took no vote. Stanford's formal proposal is still being prepared.