Mr. Vaughn:

The Stanford and Greenheart projects are no where near the scale of the projects in RWC to which you refer. The Lanza/Fry folks would have everyone believe they are, but they're very good at repeating lies in the hopes people will believe them just due to shear repetition of their lies.

I too wish they would answer Peter's questions. Not because it might make Peter go away (it won't), but because they are important questions that people voting on the poorly worded initiative should have the answers to before they vote on it. Lanza/Fry seems to want the voters to be ignorant to the effects of their initiative.

@Menlo Voter,
In truth, Mr. Carpenter's vigilence is appreciated. It is truly all in the "fine print"
In the hopes of avoiding stepping on anyone's toes, wasn't there an impartial third party website that looked at the Initiative and discussed the pros and cons, including the City's recent report? If so, might that link once again be posted by someone?
Lastly, I happen to like the Atria. But I really like that it is in Vegas :)

Mr. Vaughn:

I'm not sure there was a website, but there was an independent evaluation of the initiative by a consultant that looked at the pros and cons. It was published by the Almanac and is also available on the city's website.

The Menlo Park Specific Plan WITHOUT the initiative would NOT permit the structures being built in both Redwood City and Palo Alto. Ironically the Lanza/Fry initiative would encourage such structures by virtue of its site limitations and its bizarre open space definition.

Here is the referenced web site:

http://mpcdforum.com

Thanks Peter! That was exactly the link I was looking for.

Given the dusty crypt that was downtown Redwood City for so many years, it's not entirely clear to me that some large office buildings and apartments are really a step in the wrong direction, even if they do block some views. There are ample views from many other places.

My concern is more traffic congestion than the views. At least Redwood City has a rational parking policy, so there is less concern there.

When I gaze at Menlo Park's long-empty lots on El Camino, the dysfunction that they reveal does remind me of downtown Redwood City in the 80s or 90s.

Redwood City is allowing high-rise development in carefully planned locations -- and these select locations are adjacent to the downtown and near very large traffic arteries and the 101. Traffic gets channeled pretty efficiently.

The large residential complexes are geared toward single people who work at nearby high-tech companies. This population spends a lot of money on restaurants and entertainment -- so the redeveloped downtown will benefit. We already have. AND a side benefit is that RWC has live many music, movie, and cultural festivals each week on the Square -- bringing in more money and bringing folks together.

In fact, everyone is benefitting from growing revenue and tax base.

Howdy Neighbor,
Agree with you on the RWC Rec department and how they've used the square and side streets for many wonderful events, from the blues/rock concerts,car shows to the Jazz on Main series. All good for downtown but these were also occuring before these particular buildings were approved. Yes, it is high density and right on the transit hub, all in line with the "vision". For me, it is just the size and scale of this new project. Other projects have already been complted and just don't seem as massive. Perhaps when the building is finished it will have a different 'feel" Or, once finished, we will forget what was once there. Essentially, it was a shock to look down the street from the square and just see a building rather than the foothills.
As for parking, I think it would be very beneficial to investigate an underground, automated parking structure for MP. Seems like this would be a good way to go and then incorporate more pedestrian ammenities on Santa Cruz and El Camino. I also like that RWC has a validation system for it's gated lots. Go to dinner or a movie and get free parking. Win, Win & Win

Here is a link to the main downtown Redwood City projects underway.

Web Link