Dear Members of the Menlo Park City Council,
My name is Aidan Stone, and I have had the privilege of managing Feldman’s Books in Menlo Park for the past ten years. At our bookstore, we are committed to fostering a vibrant, inclusive community, and we strongly believe that public land should be used for the public good.
I am writing to express my unequivocal support for the proposed plan to build 483 units of affordable housing on publicly owned downtown parking lots. This is an overdue and much-needed initiative, and it is a vital step toward addressing the housing crisis in our community.
Our own business once stood in the oldest building in Menlo Park, alongside a heritage tree, until we were displaced to make room for a housing project. While that project was far from being as inclusive or low-income-centric as this one, we ultimately accepted the necessity of building housing. However, it is crucial that Menlo Park prioritize truly affordable housing for those who need it most.
The loss of a parking lot should not stand in the way of providing homes for our neighbors. Downtown Menlo Park has ample parking options, and shifting our priorities to housing is not only reasonable but imperative.
That said, as housing expands, we also urge the city to recognize the importance of preserving the culture that gives Menlo Park its soul. Housing projects are essential, but we must also ensure that our growing community has access to meaningful spaces like independent bookstores, theaters, and cultural landmarks that foster connection and creativity. Establishing standards of historical and cultural significance for Menlo Park would be a good step towards clarifying which projects come at the expense of the city’s soul and which are more aligned with broader questions of public welfare. This would be, to my mind, excellent government.
Please say yes to this project and embrace the opportunity to make Menlo Park a more equitable, compassionate, and livable community for everyone.
Thank you for your leadership and commitment to our city.
Sincerely,
Aidan Stone
Manager, Feldman’s Books
Menlo Park, CA
