ANTIOCH, CA — On the latest episode of the Be Curious Contra Costa podcast, local businessman and entrepreneur Sean McCauley jumped in for a wide-ranging conversation that bounced from local elections and economic development to the future of downtown Antioch, the El Campanil Theatre, Brentwood agriculture and artificial intelligence. McCauley, who has business and real estate interests throughout East Contra Costa County, described himself simply as a “local guy” who cares about the region and credited his team for the projects they have been able to complete. “I just love this community,” McCauley said, pointing to communities across East Contra Costa, “I think it’s just a great area to grow up and continue to improve.” Advice to City Council Candidates With the November election approaching, McCauley said candidates need to understand not only the issues facing their individual cities, but how municipal government actually operates. He argued that people seeking council seats would benefit from having a stronger background in government and business before taking office. “I think a lot of people don’t understand how cities run and how they operate,” McCauley said, adding that he believes candidates should have some type of education in government and business before seeking a council seat. McCauley compared a city government to a corporation, with the city council serving as its board of directors, the city manager operating much like a CEO and residents and businesses functioning as its customers. That led to one of the central themes of the podcast: economic development needs to become a higher priority. McCauley argued that cities cannot continuously expand programs or address social issues without first creating the revenue needed to pay for them. “You can’t give what you don’t have,” he said, arguing that cities need fiscally responsible budgets and a strong pipeline of revenue before they can sustainably fund other priorities. The conversation also touched on the challenges businesses and developers face navigating city permitting and approval processes. McCauley pointed to the recent controversy involving the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and its proposed Brentwood fire station as an example of how difficult government processes can become. He said entrepreneurs often experience similar frustrations without the leverage or resources available to a public agency. McCauley Says He Made Offer for El Campanil Theatre The conversation then shifted to the City of Antioch and the future of the El Campanil Theatre. McCauley confirmed that he previously attempted to purchase the historic theater. According to McCauley, he was approached in 2023 about purchasing El Campanil and submitted an offer based on what he was told the seller needed for the property. He said another buyer subsequently came in approximately $25,000 higher. McCauley said he wasn't particularly interested in owning a theater, but was willing to invest because he believed keeping the property operating as a theater was important to the success of downtown Antioch. He said he later approached the current ownership about what he would be willing to pay to keep the property operating as a theater, but the owner was not interested at that price. The discussion came amid ongoing community debate over a potential sale of the property for use as a church. McCauley said that regardless of what ultimately happens with El Campanil, he remains optimistic about downtown Antioch. “I am still bullish on downtown Antioch,” he said. However, he argued that the controversy illustrates why Antioch needs a much clearer vision for what it wants its downtown to become. Call for an Antioch Downtown Specific Plan McCauley pointed to Brentwood's Downtown Specific Plan as an example Antioch could follow. He said Brentwood deliberately identified the types of businesses and uses it wanted within its downtown corridors and established restrictions on other uses. McCauley argued that approach helped create the downtown Brentwood residents see today. McCauley, who is participating in Antioch's General Plan update process, said one of his priorities will be pushing for a Downtown Specific Plan. “We just need a downtown specific plan implemented and what we want this future to look like down here,” McCauley said, pointing to Brentwood and Pittsburg as examples Antioch could study. He also advocated for reducing red tape for businesses and development. The discussion wasn't limited to Antioch. McCauley cautioned Brentwood against becoming complacent about its own success, arguing that cities can hurt themselves when they become too difficult for new businesses and entrepreneurs to enter. He said downtown Brentwood should continue evolving as a family-friendly social and entertainment district rather than assuming its current success will continue automatically. McCauley Supports Antioch Vacancy Tax McCauley also reiterated his support for a vacancy tax in Antioch aimed at property owners who allow buildings to remain vacant and deteriorate. He said generational properties sitting empty and poorly maintained are holding back portions of the city, particularly downtown. McCauley acknowledged that such a tax could potentially affect his own properties, but said he supports it anyway. He argued that property owners need an incentive to maintain their buildings, fill vacancies and participate in improving surrounding neighborhoods. “Do a vacancy tax or do some kind of implement something to get these landlords to clean up their mess,” McCauley said. He also praised recent code enforcement efforts and said enforcement, private investment, city policy and residents taking greater pride in their own properties all have to work together. New Business Investment in Antioch Despite much of the negative discussion surrounding Antioch, McCauley said there are positive developments occurring throughout the city. He highlighted new and expanding businesses, including a larger Cafecito location planned for the A Street and Railroad Avenue corridor, while its existing downtown location remains open. McCauley said the goal was to transform a former laundromat into a gathering place offering coffee, food and room for people to work and socialize. He also discussed other investments, including the Family Justice Center's relocation into office space on Deer Valley Road and ongoing businesses in downtown Antioch. His message was that revitalization rarely happens through one giant project. Instead, communities have to keep accumulating “base hits.” Harvest Time Celebrates 50 Years The podcast also turned toward Brentwood agriculture and the 50th anniversary of Harvest Time. McCauley, who said he has served on the Harvest Time board for more than two decades, called agriculture one of Brentwood's defining assets. He said the area's farms and U-pick operations draw approximately 650,000 visitors into Brentwood and argued agriculture remains a major economic engine for the community. McCauley said he has also been encouraged by a younger generation of farming families expanding agritourism and creating new experiences around traditional agriculture. “They are making big moves in farming and big moves in agritourism,” he said. Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Business The final portion of the conversation turned toward artificial intelligence and what business owners should be watching over the next several years. McCauley said he believes an AI investment bubble has formed that could eventually experience a correction similar to the dot-com era. At the same time, he stressed that the underlying technology itself isn't going away. He said businesses are already seeing AI dramatically reduce the time required to complete certain tasks and believes its impact on employment will continue growing. “The tools are powerful. They’re real, and they’re good,” McCauley said. For anyone considering launching a business during the next 12 to 24 months, his advice was straightforward: understand AI and think carefully about whether the business can survive both technological disruption and an economic downturn. “Understand AI. Understand that that is not going to change,” McCauley said. He encouraged entrepreneurs to look toward recession-resistant businesses with recurring customers that are difficult for artificial intelligence to replace. He pointed toward skilled trades and service industries—including plumbing, HVAC, mechanics, fencing and pest control—as examples of businesses he believes will remain in demand. McCauley predicted blue-collar businesses could become an increasingly significant source of wealth as AI transforms more traditional white-collar professions. The more than hour-long conversation ultimately returned to where it started: local government, business and the direction of East Contra Costa County. For Antioch, the takeaway was a push for a Downtown Specific Plan, stronger protections against long-term vacancies and a greater focus on economic development. For Brentwood, it was a warning against complacency while continuing to protect agriculture and encourage quality businesses. And for entrepreneurs, McCauley's message was to pay attention to what is happening with artificial intelligence now rather than waiting until it disrupts their industry. As the episode wrapped up, Burkholder congratulated Harvest Time on 50 years and urged Antioch to move forward with a downtown plan and vacancy protections while encouraging voters to pay close attention to the candidates seeking office this fall.
