Hi City Council,
I have been a resident of Menlo Park and have lived on Cotton St. for over 10 years. I just learned of this and am very concerned of the implications this project would have on the local businesses and restaurants. Coffee Bar is one of the greatest additions to downtown and this specific parking is critical and most convenient place to park and walk to coffee bar a majority of the places in downtown. This project would really hurt those businesses and encourage if not force many of them to vacate.
I am all about providing affordable housing and meeting the state housing elements but there must be other properties as a possibility vs. taking these 3 specific Public Parking Lots. It would be great for the residents to have a say in ALL the options that a housing project could be built on and which one(s) would have the least impact on our already struggling downtown business owners and restaurants. This cant be the only option available to build this project. Are there other locations that would not destroy forever parking and walkability to Santa Cruz? Even a parking lot a few blocks away would dramatically reduce the community benefit.
How have the residents not been made aware of such a significant project that would forever alter downtown?
We love our town and as City Council you have an obligation to serve the people of this town. That is what you signed up for. I hope you do not rush into a decision before further evaluation and outreach to the residents of Menlo Park on such a significant project.
I have heard that tonight is only about naming these lots as "surplus" but I think this first step is a slippery slope and could actually start something that cant be undone for these sites. Before we even consider reallocating these spaces, we need many more studies on the potential impact on our community, on our businesses, traffic, parking and potential impact on our schools. I am strongly opposed to making this step prematurely, as our many of our residents.
Brian Henry
Executive Managing Director
Investment Sales Multifamily Capital Markets
NEWMARK KNIGHT FRANK
t 650-688-8507
m 650-823-1220
brian.henry@nmrk.com
CA RE License #01385537
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