Dear Menlo Park City Council and staff,
As a progressive citizen, I am a supporter of bringing more affordable
housing into Menlo Park. The lack of housing, and accompanying lack of
sustainable infrastructure for transit, is a serious problem here.
As a resident of Menlo Park, I am also in support of a business- and
customer-friendly downtown, and yes, with the available parking that is
still necessary in the real-world Bay Area.
I believe that your proposed solution for downtown housing will have a
negative impact on Menlo Park, both fiscally and in quality of life. I
would strongly prefer you, the elected officials and staff of the city, to
start real planning for alternative sites for this project.
Assuming that you are nonetheless determined to go forward with your
current RFP, I would strongly oppose a move to shift the cost burden of
replacement parking to the City and residents. Parking needs to be an
integral aspect of any development solution, whether in downtown or
alternative sites. It cannot be an afterthought.
With best regards,
Gene Becker
Menlo Park, CA 94025
