CONCORD — The City Council on Tuesday approved a $1.05 million contract to keep security in place at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station as the city advances plans to redevelop thousands of acres into housing. The contract, awarded to Concord-based Guardian Security Agency, will cover guard services through June 2029.
Continuity for a campus that hosts autonomous vehicle testing
The council voted 4-0 to authorize the deal; Councilmember Pablo Benavente was absent. Guardian has provided security at the property for the past decade, staffing entrance points at Willow Pass and Bailey roads. Its prior agreement was set to expire Aug. 31.
The city selected Guardian from nine bidders. City staff said Concord has been
"satisfied with their exceptional responsiveness and customer service"
That continuity is important to operations at GoMentum Station, the secure testing facility that has been on the site since 2016 and is described as the nation's largest secure facility dedicated to autonomous vehicle testing. The Contra Costa Transportation Authority oversees GoMentum; the authority will reimburse Concord for the security services, a city official confirmed, meaning the contract will have no impact on the city's General Fund.
Where this fits in the larger redevelopment
The security agreement comes a few months after the council took a separate significant step on May 26 tied to the site's long-awaited transformation. On that date, the city approved agreements connected to a $628 million financial arrangement with the U.S. Navy that set a framework for redeveloping thousands of acres of the former base.
Even after decades of negotiations, developer changes and political fights, the new framework anticipates more than 12,000 housing units on the property. The continued security presence preserves access for existing tenants and operations while the city proceeds with environmental review, planning and negotiation stages required before large-scale construction can begin.
- Guardian Security Agency will patrol and staff gates at Willow Pass and Bailey roads through June 2029.
- GoMentum Station, a major tenant and autonomous vehicle test site, relies on the security coverage and will reimburse the city for the expense.
- The contract was awarded after a competitive procurement process involving nine bidders.
Financial and operational details
City leaders emphasized the contract is designed to bridge the interim period while longer-term redevelopment steps continue. Because GoMentum will pay for the service, the city’s general budget will not absorb the cost.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Contract amount | $1.05 million |
| Provider | Guardian Security Agency (Concord-based) |
| Term | Through June 2029 |
| Selection | Chosen from 9 bidders |
| Budget impact | Reimbursed by GoMentum Station; no General Fund impact |
For residents watching the progress at the former weapons station, the new security contract signals steady, if incremental, progress. The site has been largely underused for nearly 20 years since base closure, and recent deals with the Navy and renewed vendor contracts are part of a complex, multi-year process to bring the property into active civic and housing use.
City officials and planners will still need to complete numerous steps before housing construction can start, including detailed planning, environmental review and negotiations with developers and state and federal partners. Meanwhile, maintaining secure, staffed access points helps protect existing test operations and preserves the city’s options as the long-term redevelopment moves forward.
Concord residents should expect more council actions and public hearings in the months ahead as the city implements the framework established with the Navy and coordinates the staging and financing of future project phases.
