Dear Mayor, Vice Mayor, City Councilmembers, and Senior Staff,
Im writing as a Menlo Park resident to ask that the city take a future-focused approach to any new development on downtown parking lots, especially when it comes to building parking garages. As the city considers how to balance housing and parking needs, I urge you to ensure that any new structures are designed to be future-proofed and adaptable over time.
Parking needs are likely to change. Demographic shifts, including slower population growth, changing preferences around car ownership, and the increasing use of ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft or autonomous cars all suggest that demand for public parking may decrease over the coming decades. In San Francisco, for example, the rise of ride-hailing apps has already led to a drop in parking revenue. This has directly impacted Muni, which depends on parking fees to fund transit operations. We dont want to build expensive infrastructure that could sit underused in the future, especially on such valuable public land.
There is inspiration to be found in our neighboring communities. Google’s Alta Parking Lot, for example, was built with flat floor plates and higher ceilings, making it easier to convert into office space or housing if parking demand drops. Menlo Park should consider similar designs when evaluating proposals for new parking garages. This type of thoughtful, flexible planning protects our investments and ensures these buildings can serve the community even as our needs evolve, allowing parking lots to become housing, offices, or other community spaces in the future.
I also hope the city takes this adaptable mindset into all new development on these sites. For example, buildings can be designed with higher ceilings, flat floor plates, and larger utility systems so they are easier to reuse in the future. Thoughtful placement of entrances, mixed-use potential, modular construction, and smart infrastructure can all help make sure our buildings are ready for whatever comes next.
If we continue to build housing intentionally, expand our public transit and bike infrastructure, and make sure all neighborhoods have access to essential services, we may not need as much parking in the future. But we will still need space for homes, businesses, and community gathering places.By making thoughtful, flexible investments today, we position Menlo Park to successfully meet the changing needs of tomorrow. Let’s plan with flexibility in mind, so the decisions we make today don’t limit what’s possible in the future.
Thank you for your time and for your thoughtful leadership.
Sincerely,
Francesca
