Changing downtown Los Altos forever
When we look at the drawings and schematics prepared by consultants for the proposed Los Altos downtown park, we can’t help but think: No approval by the residents, no meaningful oversight. Why does this feel uncomfortably familiar? Please, city council, we need a vote on this issue before our village is unilaterally and permanently changed.
The character of Los Altos – shaded, convenient, easy parking just steps from local businesses – was established by our founders and shop owners in the 1950s. That thoughtful design is why so many of us chose to live here, and why people continue to drive to Los Altos to shop. If we wanted to park in a garage – something that feels confining, dangerous and unsettling in an earthquake-prone area – we would go to a neighboring city.
Please allow the residents of Los Altos to vote on this issue before altering the heart of our village forever.
Rosemary Peters, Carlos Shaw, Mike Manning, Steve Andrews, Pat Sherwood and Peter Kunedt
Other solutions to downtown park
In agreement with the letter by Cindy Andrews (Dec. 17) about the obviously contentious issue of a downtown park, why indeed can we not have a vote on the matter? The project is being forced upon the community, yet I have not heard any strong support for it, only negativity. We need parking spaces for shopping rather than an unnecessary park which will be disruptive to build, and just who are the targeted end users? Put the money elsewhere. A shared city pool like Cindy suggests may be be more useful. We were sorry to lose the old pool at the Covington School site where all our neighborhood kids learned to swim. Why not let the community have a say before any more money is spent on an unpopular park location.
Barbara Waight
Los Altos
