To the planning commission
I’m writing as a long time Menlo Park, resident, to be exact since 1991, as well as a long time. Palo Alto resident since 1966. For many years now I have been scratching my head at why Menlo Park’s downtown has not been able to create the sense of vibrancy that its local neighbors such as Redwood City Burlingame and obviously Palo Alto have been able to. In the past year, we’ve been so fortunate to have Drew Dunlevie and his team lead Menlo Park in a new direction as far as the downtown is concerned. The guild has been an absolutely incredible success, and I have personally spoken with multiple business owners who are thrilled at the sense of vibrancy that has finally been created by just this one establishment - the new guild theater.
Now Drew has proposed an establishment that frankly we need more of not less of in Menlo Park, and to my great dismay, I have come to understand that there are actually people who are trying to figure out a way to say no rather than a way to say yes to this proposed development.
I trust the planning commission and the city Council will wake up and make a very easy decision that will benefit all of us in Menlo Park who are looking for establishments in the local community that we can frequent.
Nick Zaharias
