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Menlo Park Mayor Shares Views on Development, Future Projects


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Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Richard Cline, mayor of Menlo Park, related it's a constant political fight to get things done at the local government level because Menlo Park residents have strong views on issues affecting the quality of life in their community.

Cline told SILVAR members at this week's Menlo Park/Atherton District meeting the good news is Menlo Park is one of the top three Northern California towns that is in a strong financial position. To the credit of its residents, volunteers and past city councils, the city has $25 million in reserves, to be used for rainy days. He said the reserves are there "to protect us from the worst, but also have to be saved for even more rainy days to come." So right now, the city is doing its part to trim the budget by deferring projects and seeking ways to cut costs.

Cline said employee costs are spiraling and not sustainable. As a solution to the problem, a petition is currently being circulated to place pension reform on the November ballot. While controversial in nature, Cline said the petition will most likely get the needed signatures.

"We need to figure out a way to get ourselves untangled," Cline said. "It's a sincere effort. The community wants to do this."

Cline said Menlo Park has great assets, but the community needs to be progressive in planning projects and getting more housing. Quality of life is a high priority for the city that was built as a village, but Cline feels the city lacks direction, the community is severely fractured, and "politics is extremely potent," as those for change and those against change are equally vocal.

"We need to know where we're going in 25 years," Cline said.

Cline describes the city's 30-year plan as "a monster plan," which envisions more parks, access to transportation, and mixed use development. He said currently on the table is the Menlo Gateway, which he described as "the single largest commercial project for the city and will change the entire landscape."

Menlo Gateway is a proposed combined office, hotel, and fitness club project with approximately four acres of open space and plazas and three five-story garages. The project will redevelop 16 acres of underutilized industrial land in Menlo Park, east of Highway 101. The City Council will review the term sheet at its April 6 meeting.

Cline said at stake is the promise of high revenue returns in exchange for major zoning concessions. "We're looking for big returns, a guaranteed revenue stream," Cline said.

Cline also shared his views on the high speed rail project. While it is a good proposal, further study needs to be done; too many questions have been raised that have gone unanswered. Menlo Park has joined four other cities in a lawsuit which will force a look at the impacts of the project.

"I am not for the greater good if the project is going to corrupt the community," Cline said. "My job is to look out for Menlo Park."


The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.

The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.

For further information, please contact Rose Meily at SILVAR Public Affairs, email , or phone (408) 200-0109.

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