Dear Menlo Park City Council,
Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend tonights meeting. However, I would like to provide my public comment regarding the proposal by Alliant Strategic Development.
As a professional in the landscape and construction industry, I am keenly aware of the financial benefits this project will bring to Alliant Strategic Development. Given the substantial investment involved, I strongly believe it should be mandatory to engage a local landscape designer and planner based in Menlo Park.
It is concerning that the City of Menlo Park continues to allocate significant projects to external firms, often bypassing local businesses that contribute to our community and economy. On platforms like Nextdoor, I regularly see landscape designers and installers from Menlo Park promoting their work. It is disappointing to learn that an external firm from Oakland, with minimal local presence and engagement, might be considered for this project. This firm has only 80 followers on Instagram and no Yelp reviews, which suggests a lack of community involvement and recognition.
Local businesses like mine, which are deeply invested in Menlo Park and its residents, often miss out on these opportunities. We pay taxes here and strive to contribute positively to our community. It is essential that the proposal mandates the involvement of Menlo Park-based companies for landscape design and planning. Prioritizing local businesses will not only ensure higher quality work but also support our local economy.
I urge you to reconsider the current proposal and include provisions that prioritize local businesses for such contracts. Allowing external companies with limited community ties to take on these projects feels like a disservice to those of us who are committed to Menlo Park.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Max Fennell
C: 484-868-2421
W: Maxfennell.net
T•IG: @MaxFennell
Email: Fennellmax@gmail.com
