Mayor Wolosin and City Council,



The Streetaries have restored vibrancy to Santa Cruz Ave. Thank you. But the 600-block lane closure is a hazard to cyclists and a deterrent to shoppers, diners, and anyone trying to navigate our downtown.



The benefits of the lane closure can be obtained in better ways. Please consider these ideas:



USE FREMONT PARK FOR THE STUDENTS



If we added bike racks, tables, and an afternoon concession stand to Fremont Park, and it would become an immensely better hub for students than the middle of Santa Cruz Avenue.

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And because it’s at the west end of the downtown, Hillview students would not need to ride through the downtown to get there.



But don’t stop there. Look for other places to add bike racks, tables, and vending machines for kids after school. And maybe explore an “After-School Happy Hour” program, where restaurants are encouraged to give 50% off food and soda from 2:30-4:00pm. That way we are also helping kids who prefer to socialize in smaller groups after school.





MOVE BON MARCHÉ



There are much better places for the weekly outdoor market - like the corner of Menlo Center, at Santa Cruz and Merrill St., across from Philz and the train station:

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- It’s an attractive, roomy space.

- It’s adjacent to the plaza with three of Menlo Park’s flagship businesses, the BBC, Café Borrone, and Keplers. Café Borrone often has live music.

- It doesn’t require blocking any traffic lanes.

- It’s next to the train station, and so people on the train would see the activity as they rode home on Wednesday evenings.



Or if not there, perhaps just across the street from the current location, in the breezeway next to Chase Bank, across from Walgreens. It would provide just as much space as the current configuration.

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There are plenty of possible homes for this market for a few hours each week, without the need to block a road 24/7.



CREATE A DOWNTOWN PUBLIC PARKLET



The current seating in the closed lane is only used sparsely (except when over-run by students after school). If the parking spaces from Starbucks to Walgreens were converted into a public parklet, there would be ample community seating without any need for a lane closure.

SLOW DOWN THE TRAFFIC



Some cars go too fast on Santa Cruz Ave. But diverting drivers down side-streets and through parking lots does not improve safety. Let’s handle this in conventional ways – lower the speed limit, enforce stop signs with a friendly police presence, use signage to slow people down, paint the road, etc.



ENCOURAGE EVENTS EVERYWHERE



Community gatherings are important. But the idea that a block on a busy street should be the go-to destination for events is rather sad. Menlo Park is filled with lovely parks, plazas, and businesses that offer wonderful event venues. Encourage us to have events throughout town, wherever it’s most appropriate.



Some events may make sense to have on Santa Cruz Avenue, but in those cases the street can be closed as needed.



SPRUCE UP THE PLACE



Santa Cruz Avenue is beautiful, but has become run-down. The street signs, lights, and kiosks are stale, and sidewalks are often dirty. Let’s give it little polish.



And how about we go the extra step of adding archways at El Camino and University Ave? (I saw it suggested in one report.) This would slow cars down, give a sense of place, and show that we are focused on the whole street, not just one block.





Thank you for considering these alternatives.



I hope that Council will decide to continue the Streetary program, re-open the 600 block to traffic, and ask staff to consider the above ways to improve safety and vitality throughout our downtown.



Sincerely,
Alex Beltramo

P.S. I am writing as a downtown resident, not representing any business or group of businesses.