Editorial: The payoff from Measure T Editorial: The payoff from Measure T (July 06, 2005)

The skateboarders are doing stunts in their new concrete playground, Frisbees are flying on the newly manicured soccer field, and the two ball fields are awaiting the next game.

Slowly, but surely, the benefits from one of Menlo Park's largest bond issues are popping up in the city, with the completion of many improvements in Burgess Park. The city picked a perfect run of delightful weather over the run-up to the July 4th weekend to inaugurate use of the fields and skate park, which were made possible by voters who approved $38 million in bonds nearly four years ago.

Some of the money has gone for other uses, including making over Nealon Park on Middle Avenue and partnering with the Las Lomitas Elementary School District to upgrade a ball field.

But the Burgess projects are the centerpiece. The city was able to convert some excess parking areas adjacent to Alma Street into usable field space and the skate park. The pool of rolling concrete curves and rails was an immediate hit and a beehive of activity last week as Menlo Park's skating community looked for air on every jump. And there are two renovated ball fields ready to go -- one for Little League and the other for older players or adults.

All the improvements, and more to come, including the three new swimming pools that are under construction now, were either made possible or gained some funding after voters approved Measure T in 2001 by a healthy 70 percent margin. And although the city made public a list of potential projects prior to the election, all needed final City Council approval to receive funding.

So far, approximately $13 million has been spent or committed, with another $25 million to go when more bonds are sold, probably in two offerings. The remaining large projects are renovation and expansion of the Burgess gymnasium, and remodeling the recreation center, and it is possible that the city will contribute some Measure T funds to help build a new performing arts center at Menlo-Atherton High School, to make up for razing the old Burgess Theatre. It will be up to the City Council to choose a date for the next round of bond sales, and to approve whatever comes next.

If the projects mentioned in the original Measure T package are selected, virtually every element at the Burgess complex will have been rebuilt or renovated over a 10-year period, quite a legacy for a bond issue that went to voters shortly after the dot-com bust, and that some proponents felt might not pass.

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