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Letter: Please, don't make downtown Menlo into Santana Row

D. J. Brawner's letter about the downtown plan last week was right on target.

I remember thinking "How did this get started? How did this snake-oil get sold to the city?" when the topic first came to light.

I note the coincidence of the 1867 photo of the Menlo Park train station adjacent to his letter. The station contributes to the charm of this city. This charm will be gone if the "vision" is realized.

Walking around in downtown Menlo Park is pleasant. I don't want our environment sanitized to resemble a Santana Row.

This plan can't have been driven by residents. Show me the money behind this boondoggle. Money targeted for this would be far better spent on improving our local economy by marketing the appeal of our city to businesses large and small, and, to individuals who are considering starting a locally owned business.

We must wake up, tell our friends and neighbors, and stop this idea now.

Larry Mehl, San Antonio Avenue, Menlo Park