Menlo Park City Council,
The city is sitting on a powder keg of upset Santa Cruz Ave merchants. We are in disbelief that that the block between Evelyn and Crane Streets is still closed.
When approaching Santa Cruz Ave from the west, people are met with this detour:
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As a result of the roadblocks, cars cut through parking lots, bikes ride down the opposing lane of traffic or on sidewalks, and intersections are made more dangerous. The detour is annoying for locals, confusing for visitors, and devastating for any business past the roadblock that relies on exposure and easy access.
The council closed the 800 block for two reasons: 1) to allow Galata Bistro to have outdoor seating, and 2) to create a place for people gather. But both of those reasons are now defunct. 1) Galata Bistro expanded their parklet, and they no longer use the street for seating, and 2) after a year of the closure being place, there is no sign that anyone is using the street there as a place to gather.
To open the road, all that is needed is to remove the roadblocks. There is enough space along the parklets to drive. In addition, the ugly concrete fire department barriers that are now along the other parklets should be removed. Other cities do not use such barriers for their parklets, and our fire department has said that they do not require those barriers. They are a blight on the town and serve no purpose.
The closed block in front of Left Bank and Vida is at least it is being used. However, there is no justification for the current closure of the east-bound 800 block. It appears that the council is simply being stubborn, while the rest of us pay the price.
Thank you,
Teresa Beltramo
Teresa’s Antiques
842 Santa Cruz Ave.
