Since attending Menlo High School 35 years ago, I've been going to Peets regularly, walking up and down Santa Cruz Avenue with my coffee. The idea of closing the street to traffic initially had some appeal to me, but I can see that it is not working.
I listened to the last city council meeting, and I am glad you will be visiting Santa Cruz Ave. to assess the situation. I have noticed that there is very limited use of the blocked off streets at most times of the day. So I hope you take note of usage at various times to get a fair picture. Very often when I am there, the closed off block closest to Peets has a ghost town feel.
On closed blocks, most of the people are not actually using the street but instead still use the sidewalk. Using the street they are burdened at each block to get off the street and back on. People also have to walk further from the parking lots, presenting more exposure to Covid. Also consideration needs to be given to the elderly and handicapped who cannot easily walk as far.
Customers should be able to pick up purchases as close to the merchant as possible. In order to revitalize Menlo Park, retailers need to be able to conduct as much business as they possibly can. Every customer counts.
Menlo Park's main shopping street is not conducive as a park. The shops need exposure from cars driving down the street. The small numbers of people strolling down the middle of the street do not help the businesses or city with revenue.
Emergency vehicles access is also of extreme importance.
I like the restaurant parklets, but suggest you open Santa Cruz Ave entirely unless the businesses on affected blocks have consensus to keep it closed.
Sincerely,
Bill Lipa
