Read the full story here Web Link posted Wednesday, February 17, 2016, 10:52 AM
https://n2v.almanacnews.com/square/print/2016/02/17/major-deal-would-sell-1800-east-palo-alto-apartments-to-menlo-park-developer
Town Square
Major deal would sell 1,800 East Palo Alto apartments to Menlo Park developer
Original post made on Feb 17, 2016
Read the full story here Web Link posted Wednesday, February 17, 2016, 10:52 AM
Comments
Posted by A Travesty
a resident of Menlo Park: The Willows
on Feb 17, 2016 at 5:49 pm
a resident of Menlo Park: The Willows
on Feb 17, 2016 at 5:49 pm
This article, while informative, leaves out two major pieces of information. The financial backer for Equity Residential is U.S. Subsidiary ABU DHABI INVESTMENT AUTHORITY.
check out Equity Residential and the name Sam Zell pops up. This is the fellow who in 2007 bought the Chicago Tribune and quickly ran it into the ground, forcing this venerable newspaper to close its doors.
East Palo Alto is, once again, being taken to the cleaners by corporate America.
And Steve Emslie Former Palo Alto Director of Planning and Community Development is collecting a pay check to oversee this travesty.
There is no justice.
Posted by Clem Molony
a resident of Menlo Park: The Willows
on Feb 18, 2016 at 3:07 pm
a resident of Menlo Park: The Willows
on Feb 18, 2016 at 3:07 pm
Dear Almanac,
Related to this issue, please provide a link to the East Palo Alto general plan update public-involvement process. There apparently is a section of that general plan update related to this western portion of EPA, which is immediately adjacent to Menlo Park's Willows neighborhood. Also, all future Almanac stories about this issue should include reference to this link. / Thank you.
Posted by Stats
a resident of Menlo Park: South of Seminary/Vintage Oaks
on Feb 18, 2016 at 3:52 pm
a resident of Menlo Park: South of Seminary/Vintage Oaks
on Feb 18, 2016 at 3:52 pm
Thanks for making the connection Travesty !
The Biz Journal has an in-depth story on the Abu Dhabi link, but not Sam Zell.
Web Link
"Menlo's own" Sand Hill Properties isn't always the best developer for the communities under development either. It's probably not all their fault, but the Sand Hill's Properties imbroglio over Sunnyvale Town Center has blighted the center of Sunnyvale for a number of years. So just because they are local developers, we shouldn't expect them to do what's best for the local community.
I hope whatever the Sand Hill plan's to do, it is lined up with the city's general plan and the more specific plan for the west side.
http://vista2035epa.org
Web Link
Posted by Hmmm
a resident of another community
on Feb 18, 2016 at 5:05 pm
a resident of another community
on Feb 18, 2016 at 5:05 pm
A Travesty has their bad guys mixed up, which is pretty easy since corporations are people. Sam Zell is the Equity bad guy and they're the seller. Sand Hill is the new bad guy, the buyer in this current negotiation. It's Sand Hill with the ADIA $$, not Equity.
Clem - I hope our city planners keep in mind what your city's allowed Facebook to do and how lousy Menlo was with the University Circle project. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
