Downtown Santa Cruz Ave has become an insane obstaclecourse. This morning I discovered anotherblock was closed to traffic to cater for the proposed 600 block fiasco. That project apparently is partially toprovide a play area for kids. However,there is an entire building on the "north" side of the road, near to El Caminothat is noticed as being specifically for kids’ activities.
There is absolutely no observable traffic enforcement alongthe entire stretch the road up to the county jurisdiction at Alameda. A lot of drivers and cyclists totally ignoreSTOP signs. This is frequent at the cemetery, and at Bethany church (countyjurisdiction): where virtually nobody observes the STOP sign. There is an acute problem with e-bikes ande-motorbikes, and there is no visible traffic enforcement with respect to them. Large funerals and resulting parking rarelytrigger police enforcement. WhenHillview school lets the kids out there appears to be no police presencewhatsoever and the entire street becomes a virtual parking lot, with kids onbikes being a special problem.
Parking is at a premium and going to get considerably worseif the proposed elimination for low income housing is approved by voters. Anobvious solution to lack of such housing is to rezone the single story businessesto multi-use and allow 2nd floor apts.
Most of the stores and businesses along Santa Cruz cater towealthy people, not low income residents: such as expensive rug stores (if they are still there); designbusinesses, cross stitch store, spice store, etc. Most of the businesses that ordinary peoplepatronized such as the Pet Place, Anne’sCoffee shop, Goodwill, the consignment shop, the drug store, and others I’ve forgotten,were forced out by the exorbitant rents. Other stores that are really well patronized like Ace Hardware arealmost impossible to get to and find a parking place. There is also an apparent problem for somedelivery trucks to businesses. Oneannoying (and dangerous) result is that the parking lots that do exist, have becomealternate roads, used not only by drivers but by wrong way cyclists
The concrete planters by the Italian restaurant (a few yardsfrom an existing STOP sign) hide small statured people, especially kids, whozip across the street. Some drivers usethe mid street planters to make U-turns
Menlo Park, like many communities, is experiencing a significantgrowth in its senior population and a decline in its young population. However, the city provides multiple facilitiesfor kids, but absolutely NOTHING this side of the freeway for seniors, wholargely do not bike, and many of whom have mobility issues, and who need accessto local businesses. However, these arethe people who have been paying local taxes for decades.
If you want local businesses to flourish, one way to do it isto make it easy for patrons to get to them. Another thing needed is a Traffic Engineer.
Right now Santa Cruz Ave is a total mess and a hazard, whichis likely to get considerably worse with what is planned to happen.
Another complaint:
A week or so ago someone dumped a load of garbage on bothsides of Alpine Road within Cityjurisdiction by Rural Lane. It needs tobe cleaned up.
