- The email discusses potential sites for high-density, low-income affordable housing in Menlo Park, emphasizing the USGS site at 345 Middlefield Road as a viable option due to its size, green space, and parking facilities. It criticizes the current plan to use downtown parking lots for housing development, arguing that losing these parking spaces would harm local businesses and the downtown economy.
- The letter highlights that constructing a new parking garage for displaced parking would be costly (up to $80 million) and potentially unfeasible, especially under lease arrangements that do not grant ownership of the land. It warns that removing downtown parking spaces would reduce accessibility for customers, likely leading to a decline in business and sales tax revenue, risking the economic vitality of Menlo Park's downtown.
- The USGS site offers an alternative with ample green space, surface-level parking, and the potential to develop affordable housing without the need to build costly parking structures. It would enhance residents' quality of life and avoid congestion issues associated with high-density developments on limited land.
- The author urges the City Council to consider other options besides downtown parking lots, including the USGS site and Civic Center, to balance housing needs with economic sustainability and urban planning goals. Emphasis is placed on avoiding plans that could undermine downtown businesses and the local economy.
- Multiple stakeholders, including business owners, residents, and advocates, urge the Menlo Park City Council to reopen Santa Cruz Avenue, which was closed during COVID-19. They emphasize that the closure harms downtown businesses, reduces accessibility, and diminishes street appeal. The advocates advocate for a shift from street closures towards supporting through traffic, parking, and pedestrian safety to foster a vibrant, accessible downtown environment.
- Members of the community call for incorporating Complete Streets principles, including bike lanes, wider sidewalks, improved crosswalks, and traffic calming into the Woodland Avenue resurfacing project. They stress that current infrastructure is unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists, and that future street improvements should align with the Transportation Master Plan and Vision Zero goals to ensure safety and walkability for all users.
- Various business owners and residents highlight that street closures on Santa Cruz Avenue have led to decreased foot traffic, sales, and overall vibrancy of the downtown area. They express concern that the closures benefit only certain restaurants while hurting retail stores, and they call for reopening the street to restore economic vitality and community accessibility.
- A survey among Santa Cruz Avenue businesses shows a strong preference (56 out of 59 respondents) to reopen the closed section of the street, with only a few chain businesses favoring the closure. This data reflects community opposition to the street closure and underscores the desire for improved traffic flow and access.
- Community members urge the city to consider alternative locations for affordable housing, specifically favoring the Willow Road site over downtown parking lots. Concerns are raised that the downtown closure policies and street modifications negatively impact small businesses and overall neighborhood safety and appeal.
- Residents urge to preserve existing parking, particularly in downtown Menlo Park, emphasizing that parking structures should be built first to accommodate new housing and commercial growth without sacrificing neighborhood parking. They oppose reducing downtown parking to prevent neighborhood decline.
- Suggestions include developing underground parking combined with above-ground retail, shopping, and housing, taking inspiration from San Luis Obispo's successful downtown redevelopment, to revitalize Menlo Park's core while maintaining access and vibrancy.
- Community members advocate for including full-size sports fields, such as turf soccer fields with lighting, in new developments to serve families and address community recreation needs amidst increased density.
- Business owners and residents oppose building in existing parking lots behind Santa Cruz Avenue, emphasizing that parking is crucial for downtown retail vitality and warning that reducing parking would harm business access and foot traffic.
- Community members support keeping Santa Cruz Ave closed to traffic to enhance pedestrian and bike accessibility, citing success in other cities, and oppose reopening or widening traffic flow that could detract from downtown vibrancy.
- Residents advocate for increasing affordable housing in downtown Menlo Park, believing it will revitalize retail foot traffic and help sustain local businesses, citing examples from neighboring cities.
- Some residents call for reevaluation of street closures and traffic management, suggesting that current measures may cause detours and congestion, and that thorough studies could optimize downtown vitality and traffic flow.
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