Library funds can only be used for Library purposes with approval of the San Mateo County Joint Powers Association (JPA).
The Environmental Impact Report states that the extra traffic for the new library will require adding a traffic light at Middlefield and Watkins and turn lane at Watkins and El Camino Real. These are already heavy trafficed intersections.
The JPA has not approved that Library funds can or should pay for these improvements. There are likely other costs that the JPA will not feel are library associated. Perhaps the Atherton Council can convince the JPA to approve traffic improvements in Atherton, but more likely it will not.
Years ago the Art Committee opened an Art Center in the Park, which failed an is now rented to a Pre-School. A Pavillion that was donated to the Park for a community center is now rented for corporate events and weddings as the residents don't use it.
The Park Foundation raised funds to build six tennis courts, which has seem usage drop off. Day-in-the-Park and the town bar-b-que no longer happen for lack of attendance. The Menlo Park PAC is no fully used, nor is their library.
For lack of ridership the Atherton Train Station has closed on Weekdays.
Why does the Library in the Park Committee believe that this county library will not be a White Elephant that takes open space away from other park uses and Green Space?
Once the ten people that are driving this idea have moved on to other interests and the usage has not materialized, what can the building be used for?
