Three affordable new city investments in the 600 block of Downtown
There are many positive signs that the 600 block of Santa Cruz Avenue is becoming the most compelling place to visit in downtown Menlo Park, the central business district for residents of both Menlo Park and Atherton. Foot traffic is increasing, outdoor dining is booming, new businesses are filling vacant storefronts, and the public area in front of Walgreen’s is a popular daytime gathering spot for youths and adults. And more changes are in the works. Who is making this happen? Our city, individual businesses, and a growing number of volunteers.
In this post, I highlight some key changes, recognize the sources of this emerging transformation, and focus on three opportunities the city now has to make IMMEDIATE improvements that would be wonderful gifts to our community, especially if installed during this holiday season.
1 => The city has installed a new bike lane between Curtis and El Camino. The design provides greater safety and convenience for bicyclists, motorists, and pedestrians on the east end of main street.
2 => Juniper trees and planters now separate the new bike lane from the public plaza.
3 => The owner of Bistro Vida - Ali El Safy - has invested more than $7500 in street furniture, the Bon Marche weekly market, sound equipment, lighting, live music and holiday decorations.
4 => Residents and workers are volunteering to clean sidewalks and the community plaza and install holiday decorations.
Jeff Kleck (resident) deep power washing; Bistro Vida’s Ernesto Pirch and Martina Alberto clean the sidewalk and plaza every day.
Bistro Vida’s Edy Chicojay and Jose López installing Holiday decorations.
5 => Menlo Park resident Greg Bettencourt donated the beautiful 15-foot holiday tree in the plaza.
6 => Elevate Art Menlo Park is building a unique art art walk in downtown Menlo Park. The two photo exhibits in Walgreens front windows engage pedestrians and enliven the 600 block.
7 => The exterior of the Left Bank restaurant was recently painted with a cool new color.
8 => On May 5th, 1965, a band called the Warlocks played their first gig at Magoo’s Pizza Parlor at 639 Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park. Its popularity grew and its name was changed to the Grateful Dead. This location will soon feature something else unique. Construction is now underway for a new place where adults can socialize either before or after dining in downtown. The opening is expected in early 2024. Details will become available well before then.
My Holiday Season Wish List
My wish list includes three affordable city investments that would greatly improve the visual appeal and usage of the community plaza.
1. Attractive safety barriers. Replace the ugly, dirty white concrete barriers with low-profile planters similar to those already installed along the 600-block bike lane. Bistro Vida will paint the planters and maintain the flowers.
2. Commercial quality street furniture.
• The city has agreed to upgrade the well-worn wooden picnic tables that are in poor condition and replace these with high quality commercial metal tables which resist wear and are more easily cleaned. Since everyone is NOT comfortable sitting at picnic tables, small metal tables should be added. Both are currently in stock at Global Industrial.
• All tables should be equipped with commercial umbrellas with fade/stain-resistant fabric like Sunscreen. These umbrellas are currently available at Premier Polysteel.
3. Better location for bike parking. Many bikes are haphazardly parked in front of Starbucks - especially in the afternoon when Hillview students gather in the plaza area – because the number of bikes exceeds the capacity of the existing parking structures. So bikes are left either on the ground or leaning on planters. They obstruct pedestrians and clutter the plaza. The bike parking area with sufficient facilities should be relocated and replace parking spaces on the east side of Curtis. Signs should direct bicyclists to this new location AND respectfully inform them NOT to leave bikes either on the sidewalk or in the plaza.
Summary
I hope the City of Menlo Park makes improving the experience of visiting downtown a top priority in 2024. It needs not only to to continue to invest in the public plaza but also in all its streets, crosswalks, sidewalks, kiosks and parking lots. Improving the conditions and appearances of its civic infrastructure will greatly increase foot traffic, attract and sustain local businesses and transform downtown into a source of community pride. The feeling of going downtown should be a good one. This is the true path to successful economic development.
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Thank you
Dana
Community Activist
Co-Founder, Elevate Art Menlo Park
