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Letter: Downtown is just fine the way it is

Menlo Park is a lovely town. It is why my husband and I have chosen to raise our son here. We enjoy the parks, downtown summer concerts, and street parties.

We love the Sunday morning Farmers' Market. It is our family tradition. We feel comfortable with the quiet and calm feeling as we walk down Santa Cruz Ave, do our shopping and eat at the various restaurants with sidewalk seating.

The city's specific plan that has emerged worries us. We understand change is necessary: upgrading facilities, parking and landscape. However, we feel the current ideas in place will change the feel of Menlo Park. If we wanted a vibrant nightlife and a three-story-plus community, we would have moved near the recently renovated downtown Redwood City. That does not appeal to us.

Our great uncle loves Ann's Coffee Shop. He comes to Menlo Park at lunchtime on Friday and never has trouble finding parking. Blocking off streets with promenades and covered market places will only hurt the evenly distributed parking that exists now.

A garage in the distance is not going to help a senior or mother carrying a young child to the one store they want to visit in the opposite direction. If our great uncle can find parking during the highest traffic time, than there is no problem.

We hope there is still time to rethink Menlo Park's future.

Nora Singer, Sterling Avenue, Menlo Park