Dear Public Works Commission,
I wanted to write and thank you
for your support of the Sustainable Streets Plan. San Mateo has an ideal
climate for walking and cycling. I look forward to seeing more alternative
transit development as befitting of our fair City.
In addition, let me please
elaborate on the importance of the 9th Ave. passage way for pedestrians
trying to access downtown from the Sunnybrae neighborhood and S. Claremont area,
foot traffic which we can expect to increase given the approval of Station Park
Green.
Right now pedestrians crossing
the tracks on 9th Ave. from the east side have the choice between two
slightly challenging options. The North side has a better sidewalk overall, but
one must pass a squared off curb on the West side of S. Railroad Ave, a
difficulty for wheelchairs or strollers. The South side does not have a large
curb like the North side, but many smaller bumps and cracks, particularly at
the driveway of The Ramen Parlor.
Still, coming from S. Claremont,
either of these paths are an improvement over continuing on S. Claremont to the
5th Ave. crossing. For one, there is not a complete system of sidewalk
on either side of the block. Two, there have been complaints regarding the 4th
Ave. Prometheus rebuild, with the charge builders are illegally blocking
traffic in order to conduct business. I must lodge the same complaint against
the San Mateo Lumber Company. They make considerable use of a forklift, often
balancing a stack of studs, back and forth between their East and West
properties. While many employees are gracious when crossing, I have observed
other employees do so with a sense of entitlement that borders on reckless
endangerment. It is a deterrent to vehicles, nevertheless pedestrians, who
already must walk in the street to pass.
These areas I identified on 9th
Ave. between the railroad and B. St. are more annoying and deterring than highly
dangerous, but correcting them would go a long way towards improving the
pedestrian experience.
Finally, Laurie Wananuki put
forth the idea of approving loft style office space in this light industrial
corridor. It makes sense to me to consider this option. While originally on the outskirts of town,
this area is now downtown itself. It is the nature of industrial to operate on
the periphery of the urban core, or at least in conjunction with other uses.
Without uprooting any existing businesses, the East side of Caltrain has room
for some great, multiuse development including office space of the newer sort.
Kind regards,
