In July 2012, the Menlo Park City Council approved the El Camino Real/Downtown Specific Plan which establishes
a framework for private and public improvements on El Camino Real, in the Caltrain station area and in Downtown Menlo Park for the next several decades. The Specific Plan provides a conceptual design for Downtown and identifies many potential civic projects. Unfortunately, ALL the significant ones have been ignored by subsequent city councils and not a single council member has championed them during the past 12 years.

Here is My Current Wish List

• Make public space on the 600 block of Santa Cruz Avenue a beautiful place to visit, socialize, enjoy a coffee or casual meal, and read a book or newspaper. While it is already extremely popular with teenagers it is unattractive and not adult-friendly. I recommended several basic improvements in November 2023 post, My Holiday Wish List for Downtown Menlo Park and much more should be done. Note: (New furniture was promised but never installed.)
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• Resurface and re-stripe Downtown Santa Cruz Avenue, repair curbs and crosswalks, and keep everything clean.
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• Install attractive new street lighting starting with Santa Cruz Avenue; then add to side streets between Oak Grove and Menlo Avenues.
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• Repair and resurface all city parking lots. Provide better lighting.
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• Introduce a monthly vacancy tax on properties not leased for six months.