Pittsburg City Councilmember Arlene Kobata says she wants voters to look beyond the controversy surrounding the proposed data center and consider the broader challenges facing the city, including economic development, a projected budget deficit, public safety, youth programs and revitalizing downtown.
Kobata joined the Be Curious Contra Costa podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about her background, appointment to the City Council, the data center debate and why she is now seeking a full term.
Kobata said she moved to Pittsburg in 1988, raised her two children in the city and has worked in the grocery industry for nearly 40 years. Her community involvement grew through the “Pittsburg Proud” social media group, which she created as a more positive, resource-oriented community page. That eventually led Kobata to the Community Advisory Commission, followed by the Planning Commission. She was appointed to the City Council in 2025 after Shanelle Scales-Preston was elected to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors.
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Recap:
Pittsburg Council Candidate Arlene Kobata Talks Data Center, Budget, Economic Development and City’s Future
PITTSBURG, CA — Pittsburg City Councilmember Arlene Kobata says she wants voters to look beyond the controversy surrounding the data center and consider the broader challenges facing the city, including economic development, a projected budget deficit, public safety, youth programs and revitalizing downtown.
Kobata” joined the Be Curious Contra Costa podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about her background, appointment to the City Council, the data center debate and why she is now seeking a full term.
Kobata said she moved to Pittsburg in 1988, raised her two children in the city and has worked in the grocery industry for nearly 40 years. Her community involvement grew through the “Pittsburg Proud” social media group, which she created as a more positive, resource-oriented community page.
That eventually led Kobata to the Community Advisory Commission, followed by the Planning Commission. She was appointed to the City Council in 2025 after Shanelle Scales-Preston was elected to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors.
Data Center Dominates the Conversation
Much of the interview focused on the issue that has consumed Pittsburg politics in recent months: the data center.
Kobata was in a unique position during the approval process because she served on the Planning Commission before joining the City Council.
She said the data center concept dated back to 2018 and had gone through numerous public meetings and environmental reviews. As a planning commissioner, Kobata said her responsibility was determining whether the applicant complied with applicable requirements — not deciding whether she personally wanted a data center.
The Planning Commission ultimately voted 3-2 on the project before it advanced to the City Council, which approved it unanimously.
Kobata acknowledged residents did raise concerns during the process, but said the intensity of opposition seen today was not present during the earlier hearings.
The political environment surrounding the project has since become far more heated.
During the interview, Kobata alleged she was physically confronted by a woman opposed to the data center.
According to Kobata, she was attending a public event when the woman approached while Kobata was on her phone. Kobata said the woman began grabbing her and eventually shoved her after being repeatedly asked not to touch her. Kobata said she stumbled near a tree root before walking away as the woman continued following her. She said witnesses and community members eventually stepped between them.
Kobata said residents absolutely have the right to disagree with elected officials and strongly oppose projects, but argued threats, intimidation and physical confrontations cross the line.
She also said some supporters have told her they felt pressured over displaying campaign signs supporting her or other candidates associated with the data center approval.
On the merits of the project, Kobata continued to defend its potential financial benefits. She said revenue associated with Pittsburg Power and property taxes could help support police, parks, schools and city services at a time when Pittsburg is facing budget pressures.
Her broader message was that, regardless of where residents stand on the project, the city eventually has to find a way to move forward.
“The data center, it has been signed already,” Kobata said. “There’s a contract in place.”
She urged opponents to remain involved but begin offering ideas for future stages of the project and other city priorities.
“Let’s work together because this is our city,” she said. “We all live here and we do want to do the right thing.”
Budget and Economic Development
Kobata said economic development will be critical as Pittsburg works through an approximately $5 million budget deficit.
She said the city is attempting to attract additional businesses while also reducing spending, which could include staffing reductions and cuts to some services.
One example discussed was the Pittsburg Library.
Kobata explained the library is operated by Contra Costa County, while the city had been supplementing funding to provide additional operating hours. With the budget situation, the city could no longer continue providing the same supplemental funding.
“I wish we couldn’t cut anything,” she said.
Kobata also pointed to Pittsburg’s roughly $19.5 million reserve, but said she views those funds as protection for emergencies rather than money that should simply be spent to avoid difficult budget decisions.
Her preferred long-term solution is generating additional revenue through economic activity.
Kobata highlighted the arrival of Sprouts in the San Marco area and another grocery store planned for Buchanan Road as signs of progress. She said retailers examine demographics, theft and potential profitability before entering a community, meaning Pittsburg has to create conditions that make businesses want to invest.
She also called for a stronger relationship between the City of Pittsburg and Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce, including greater communication and collaboration on helping existing businesses and attracting new ones.
Kobata said she’d particularly like to see more businesses downtown, both to improve the city’s finances and keep residents spending money in Pittsburg.
Why Run for a Full Term?
Despite the contentious political environment, Kobata said the projects completed or underway during her short time on the council convinced her to seek a full term.
She pointed to the renovation of Central Harbor Park, Sprouts, Marina Center programming and upcoming recreational developments.
Kobata also highlighted Dream Courts, proposed soccer fields and new hotels as pieces of a larger economic-development strategy. The idea, she said, is to bring tournaments and visitors into Pittsburg, where families would stay in local hotels, eat at restaurants and spend money throughout the city.
Seeing residents use the city’s new amenities is what motivates her to continue.
“They’re enjoying where they live,” Kobata said. “That’s what keeps me going. That’s why I want to see more.”
Police and Public Safety
Kobata also praised the Pittsburg Police Department after recently participating in a ride-along.
She said what stood out was the relationship between officers and residents, recalling people approaching the patrol vehicle, children asking for stickers and residents casually interacting with the officer.
Kobata said the experience reinforced her belief that relationships between officers and residents build trust and ultimately improve public safety.
On the debate over automated license plate reader technology, Kobata said she supports Pittsburg continuing to use its existing cameras, arguing they can help officers identify stolen vehicles and communicate with neighboring law enforcement agencies.
Youth, Downtown and the California Theatre
Kobata said Pittsburg should continue investing in youth programs, pointing to Marina Center activities, inclusive basketball, Movies in the Park, scholarships, robotics and programs exposing students to government and public policy.
She also sees the California Theatre as an opportunity to generate additional downtown activity.
Kobata called for more advertising, a wider variety of performances and greater use of local Pittsburg talent. She suggested coordinating performances with restaurants and other downtown businesses so establishments remain open later when shows end.
The goal, she said, should be creating an ecosystem where people attend a performance, eat downtown and potentially visit the marina rather than immediately leaving the area.
“We need to revitalize that,” Kobata said. “And that’s why I’m excited about wanting to be on council still so I can continue to bring this kind of growth to Pittsburg.”
Working With Antioch
Kobata also said Pittsburg needs to maintain a working relationship with neighboring Antioch.
She pointed to mutual assistance involving police and fire services while saying the cities also share regional challenges involving homelessness and crime.
Kobata noted Delta Landing serves people from Antioch and elsewhere and said Pittsburg has its own CORE outreach team and other supportive and transitional housing efforts.
“I think it’s important to work with Antioch because we are neighbors,” she said.
Looking Beyond One Issue
In making her case for a full term, Kobata returned repeatedly to the idea that Pittsburg is bigger than the data center controversy.
She pointed to grocery stores, parks, hotels, recreational facilities and road improvements as projects she wants to continue working on. Her future ideas include an all-abilities park and additional transportation services for seniors, including assistance getting to and from grocery stores.
“There is more to running a city than just a data center,” Kobata said. “We have to be able to put our whole soul into all the different aspects of running a city.”
“I believe that I’m ready to do that,” she continued. “I have a vision for what is the future of Pittsburg for all of us to benefit from.”
The interview closed with a similar message to voters: don’t allow Pittsburg to become a single-issue city.
Beyond the data center, the next City Council will face decisions involving staffing, budget reductions, city services, economic development, public safety and the impacts of state and federal funding changes.
With a crowded field seeking seats on the City Council, voters will ultimately decide whether Kobata’s first year-and-a-half on the council earns her the opportunity to continue that work for a full term.