April 2025 Newsletter

Housing on Downtown Parking Lots: RFQs and Lawsuit

There have been key developments related to the possible redevelopment of 3 downtown parking lots into housing. The city received 7 responses to its RFQ to understand the feasibility of building housing on the lots. Additionally, a lawsuit has been filed against the city with the goal of preventing the re-purposing of the parking lots into housing.

• RFQs: The city received 7 responses to its Request for Qualifications (RFQs) related to the possible development of three downtown parking lots into housing. You can learn more about the responses the city received on the project webpage. Generally, responses of this nature are made public weeks or months later when the related item is on a council meeting agenda. Given the heightened public interest, I asked city staff to make the responses available as soon as possible. I appreciate the city staff’s willingness to make the responses publicly accessible only 2 days after the submission period closed. The date of a council discussion on this matter hasn’t been finalized.

• Lawsuit: On April 14, a lawsuit was filed that, if successful, would prevent the city from repurposing of the 3 downtown parking lots into housing. You can access the filing at this link. The lawsuit was brought against the city by the organization Save Downtown Menlo. A central argument in the lawsuit is that the city doesn’t have the singular authority to dispose of these parcels (a process that would be required) given that adjacent downtown property owners funded the creation of the parking plazas. The city’s response to the lawsuit, as is the case with the overall downtown parking lots proposals, will come at the direction of a majority of the city council.

USGS Campus Sold At Auction For $137 Million

It was announced earlier this month that the United States Geological Survey (USGS) campus on Middlefield Road was sold for $137 million in an auction to San Francisco-based Presidio Bay Ventures. My understanding is that the deal is expected to close within 90 days. This brings an end to a years-long process that began when the USGS decided to decamp from its long-term Menlo Park campus to Ames Research Center/Moffett Field in Mountain View. The new owner of the 17-acre campus is familiar to Menlo Park. Presidio Bay developed Springline, a mixed-use development on El Camino Avenue, and was one of the respondents to the RFQ process for the downtown parking lots. It’s worth noting that the city has identified this campus as a housing opportunity site and indicated support for re-zoning a portion of the campus for use by a school district.

Sunset Campus Development: Updates

There have been two key developments related to the Builder’s Remedy project being proposed on a portion of the former campus of Sunset magazine. State Senator Josh Becker has proposed a bill that, if successful, would likely impact the project. Additionally, the State Historical Resources Commission has scheduled a new date to review the application to designate the campus a state historical landmark.

• Becker Bill: In March, Sen. Becker introduced legislation (SB 457) that was prompted, in part, by the project proposed on the Sunset Magazine campus. According to his office, the bill helps to prevent the misuse of Builder’s Remedy while ensuring that cities are treated fairly as they work to meet the state’s housing goals. You can read more about the bill on the Senator’s website. Earlier this month, a majority of the Palo Alto City Council voted to support the bill. A similar review of the bill has not yet been scheduled for a future Menlo Parity City Council meeting. Any member of the Menlo Park City Council can request that our council similarly review the bill. I support state-level efforts to provide more precision and clarity to the Builder’s Remedy provision. But my specific focus is that Menlo Park is best positioned to avail itself of all arguments and avenues (which could include litigation) to ensure that the city is able to exercise the fullest review of this specific project.

• Historic Designation: The State Historical Resources Commission is scheduled on May 9 to review and take action on the nomination of the Sunset Campus to the National Register of Historic Places. You can learn more about the nomination and upcoming meeting at this webpage. Additionally, you can learn more about the project on this city webpage.

Coleman Avenue Pilot Project: Upcoming Meeting

At its next meeting on April 29, the city council is scheduled to review proposed changes to the city portion of Coleman Avenue. This street serves as a key corridor for those traveling to and from Menlo-Atherton High School, Laurel Lower Campus, and the Peninsula School. These proposed changes come after a years-long review by both the city and San Mateo County to increase safety for all users of the street. At the meeting next week, the council will consider the following changes:

• Parking removal on the north side of the City’s portion of Coleman Avenue from Willow Road to the city/county boundary.

• Installation of stop signs on Coleman Avenue at Santa Monica Avenue to provide clear right-of-way designation for those crossing Coleman Avenue. This will facilitate access to bus stops.

• Traffic calming to reduce driver speeds.

• Pilot bike lane to improve mobility and accessibility.

You can learn more about the proposed changes on this webpage. Please note that any changes approved by the city council will only apply to the city portion of the street. The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors is the final decision-making body for any changes to the section of the street that is in unincorporated San Mateo County.

Upcoming Events and Mayor’s Office Hours

• Mayor’s Weekly Community Office Hours - On April 26, I will host community office hours from 9am - 10am at Peet’s Coffee in downtown. Here’s information on my sessions next month:

  • Office Hours on May 3, 10 and 17 will be held from 9am to 10am at Cafe Zoe in the Willows.

  • Office Hours on May 31 will be held from 9am to 10am at the Starbucks (1401 Willow Road) in Belle Haven.

• Love Our Earth Festival - On April 26, the Love Our Earth Festival will be held at the Belle Haven Community Campus. The festival will feature environmental education and family-friendly activities. For more information, visit this webpage.

• Bike Rodeo at Flood Park - On May 4, the Menlo Park Police Department and the California Highway Patrol Redwood City will kick off Bike Safety Month by hosting at bike rodeo at Flood Park. This event will be focused on biking safety measures, helmet fittings and bike repairs. For more information, visit this webpage.

• Schoolhouse Rocks 5K - On May 18, the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation hosts its annual festival, fun run and 5k. My family and I are looking forward to this year’s race. You can register for the race on this webpage.