Guest opinion: Next step for Portola Valley Town Center Guest opinion: Next step for Portola Valley Town Center (December 07, 2005)

By Ron Walter

Having recently traveled to Italy, I couldn't help but notice the immense pride the Italians take in their beautiful civic buildings, most of which were built in the 12th to 16th centuries using private funds from generous residents. Right now the residents of Portola Valley have an opportunity to build a legacy of their own.

The Town of Portola Valley has come to an important juncture in its efforts to build a new Town Center to replace the existing, earthquake-threatened structures. Town officials and citizens have spent 18 months creating a conceptual design that meets the needs of the town's residents. Through a series of public design charettes and dozens of committee meetings, the town now has a conceptual design that includes a library, a community hall with activity rooms, a city administration building and numerous recreational facilities. At a recent town meeting, a three-building, single-story layout was approved. A rendering of the main courtyard of the Town Center is illustrated here.

Now is the time for Portola Valley residents to take a close look at the site plans, and to suggest ways to optimize the conceptual design, in preparation for the final design phase, which will begin this January. To make certain that all suggestions are heard, and that a consensus design is established, town administrators and community volunteers are now sponsoring a series of open discussions to bring out the enhancements that will result in a set of facilities that receive overall support. Important subjects will be addressed, including the style of the buildings, the budget target, and accommodations for a possible future reopening of Sausal Creek.

Now is also the time for town residents to get behind this project, and to provide financial support. The town has set aside over $4 million to build a new town hall, and the Portola Valley Community Fund has been established to privately raise an additional $16 million to build the community facilities. The town and its residents have the opportunity to build a community center which will support the needs of the town for decades to come, and become a place of real pride.

Everyone should have a stake in this and I hope everyone will take an interest in developing and supporting a Town Center design that fits our needs.

Ron Walter lives in Portola Valley and is a member of the committee raising funds for the new Town Center.

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