Think twice about a downtown park
I recently became aware of the proposal to repurpose all or part of Parking Plazas 1 and 2 for the development of a new downtown park. It appears that many residents may not yet be fully informed about this initiative, and I would like to share several concerns and request further clarity. I ask that the $2 million approved for park design be stopped as be reconsidered.
I would appreciate seeing what concrete data and analysis indicate that an additional park in this specific location is needed and how it would meaningfully enhance the city’s recreational offerings.
Concurrently, I have not read any vetted or well-studied justification for removing our parking plazas and their beautiful canopy of trees, nor information on the real impact of how losing over 200 parking spaces will effect our downtown vitality. Converting to underground parking or parking garages are ideas thrown around with little basis except the knowledge they will be expensive.
Is the city choosing to use Park Impact Fund dollars to provide ambiance and parking for the proposed and unfunded downtown theater, also to be cited on a parking plaza utilizing the Park Impact Fund?
These plazas are important and belong to all of us. All residents deserve full information and a valid path to weigh in. I want to know the real impact of losing our tree canopy and plazas before spending many more millions on this site rather than our existing parks or on a better location. Do you agree?
Barbara Loebner
Los Altos
