They're back: Parking garages on Menlo Park agenda They're back: Parking garages on Menlo Park agenda (July 28, 2004)

By Rebecca Wallace
Almanac Staff Writer

In local government, there are certain things you can count on.

Chairs in the city council chambers will not be comfortable. People running for the school board will use the phrase "children are our future." And in Menlo Park, every few years someone will suggest building parking structures downtown.

Once more, the fabled garages will be on the City Council's agenda on July 27, when the council is expected to approve spending $45,000 on a study of how and where best to create the structures.

Members of this council, which is widely seen as business-friendly, have met with local merchants who have long cried out for more parking in the Santa Cruz Avenue area. Earlier this year, the council unanimously agreed to make a parking-structure study a top priority.

City staff members are recommending that Watry Design Inc., an architectural and engineering firm in Redwood City, be chosen for the study. The firm has designed parking structures at Stanford University and in Palo Alto, Redwood City and other cities.

The matter is on the council's consent agenda, which means it will be approved without discussion unless a council member requests otherwise.

The study would include putting together criteria for choosing the structure site, developing design concepts and conducting initial environmental studies.

Reaction to the idea of parking garages has traditionally been mixed, with many fearing that they would make Menlo Park's small downtown feel too urban. Others worry about the cost, which city public works director Kent Steffens has said could be $20,000 to $30,000 per parking space.

But Mark Flegel, owner of Flegels Fine Furnishings in downtown Menlo Park, said the study should be done because the parking crunch for his customers has persisted, despite the economic downturn. He also has concerns about some of the lots themselves.

"The spaces are so narrow, and cars are getting dented," he said.

Mayor Lee Duboc has said that, if a garage is built, she would want as much of it as possible to be put underground to lessen its visual impact. Mr. Flegel said that idea has promise, but said a subterranean structure must be designed to be welcoming.

"It has to still have light coming in, otherwise people won't park there," he said.

The July 27 meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at 801 Laurel St.

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