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Letter: Worry about disruption in downtown Menlo

Why is a downtown development plan necessary in Menlo Park?

I have worked at a local business on Santa Cruz Avenue for nine years and have constantly heard from customers, visitors, and residents, how much they value the unique character of the downtown area as it is.

I believe that this is mostly due to the locally owned businesses. These businesses will be the most severely affected by any lengthy, loud, and potentially damaging impacts of the proposed construction and parking lot closures. How would we receive deliveries? Where will customers park during all the proposed construction — or would they simply avoid the area as it could be a chaotic mess?

In this economic downturn, any major disruption to a small business can put us out of business.

Why would the City Council defend a developer instead of representing the tax-paying business owners and residents of Menlo Park? Perhaps the council needs to value local "Main Street" and its survival rather than accommodating a "Wall Street" developer.

Patty Mayall, La Honda