Hello -
I am writing to express my opposition to converting the downtown parking
lots to low income housing. I am not opposed to low income housing in
Menlo Park however, I feel that there are other locations which would be
more appropriate for housing. I would also like to see downtown
development focused toward a more vibrant downtown business area.
The parking lots being considered - especially the parking lot near Ace
Hardware and The Coffee Bar - are usually 90% full when I am downtown.
Removing the parking lots would adversely impact the businesses near these
parking lots by removing convenient parking. I frequent walk downtown
however this is not always possible when shopping at the hardware store.
Large purchases need a car to transport purchases home. I would not like
the hardware store to disappear from Menlo Park. I prefer a local hardware
store - where help is available - as opposed to Home Depot.
I think the civic center area would be a wonderful location for housing.
This area has the library, swimming pool, fitness center, soccer fields and
playground. I swim at Burgess pool and use the library frequently. The
parking lots near the tennis courts and pool is rarely full. The parking
lots near the Ravenswood corner is always underutilized. The parking lot
between the gymnastics center and the police station could be converted to
a multi-story parking garage to support the Civic Center area. Housing
could be built in the parking lots near the tennis courts and the corner by
Ravenswood. This area is walking distance to the train station and
downtown and would provide convienent access to all Civic Center
facilities.
I also think the SRI site would be a good alternative for housing for the
same reasons as the civic center - access to transportation and access to
Civic Center facilities.
Another site that I have seen proposed for housing - Bohanan - this site
provides good access to the highway, the Dumbarton Bridge, Marsh Manor and
the baylands hiking trails.
There are many areas that seem more appropriate for housing than downtown
parking lots.
Patricia A Eurich
216 Concord Dr.
Menlo Park, CA. 94025
650.814.1148
