To the members of the City Council.
Outdoor dining in Menlo Park has brought new life into the downtown area. Outdoor dining brings people to Santa Cruz Avenue. After or before dining, people go into stores.
My friend and I had lunch at Vida, in the outdoor structure where the street is blocked off. After lunch, we wandered into Harvest. My friend bought 2 chairs and an end table. She never would have made a trip to Harvest but she was next door eating lunch.
The argument that outdoor dining keeps people away from stores is not true. There is plenty of parking in the lots behind the stores.
The Wednesday farmers market near Vida also brings people to our downtown.
There is only one block of Santa Cruz Avenue that is closed. Please do not reopen it.
Please do not get rid of a good thing.
Janet Robbins
Menlo Park
