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Museum. Councilwoman La Berge said "Redwood City has an opportunity to be different from any other city on the peninsula and to offer something that is the kind of thing that can bring us a great number of benefits. No other community on the peninsula will have a U.C. center....(or) a first class, first rate History Museum. These are the kinds of things that bring recognition and business to a community." Councilwoman La Berge said these were quality of life issues. She said special events will be held at the Museum that "we have never experienced in Redwood City." She added "between a Museum and a U.C. center...we will be perfectly positioned to offer something that no other community can, and because of that I do also support, as some of the other Council Members have said,....adding more to the $300,000 for the History Museum....and perhaps to the Mezes Project." In response to Councilman Claire's questions regarding the status of office space rentals in downtown Redwood City, Director Church said "I think if the building was built right now and on the market, facing the pressures the market has right now for office space, (they) could probably get $2.00 or $2.25 per foot. Right now they are still trying to overcome some of the negatives...some of the surrounding uses that aren't all that attractive to prospective lenders....Once it is built, I don't think it will have any problem filling, but it is overcoming some of those preconceptions about downtown Redwood City." Mayor Hartnett said based on his discussions with the developers "It is my belief that if the School District is not a partner in this building that there is a reasonable possibility that there will not be financing to build the building....within the time frame that we've granted in the Exclusive Right to Negotiate to the developers...We are poised now for the perfect opportunity. If the right mix does not come together rather quickly, then that opportunity may well be lost." Councilman Ruskin said he also supported the proposal for the County Museum calling it a real potential asset to the community, and stated he would be willing to consider putting more than $300,000 in to it. He also agreed with Mayor Hartnett regarding support for the Mezes project. He said Mezes was "an opportunity we carmot afford to miss." Councilman Ruskin said the items under the joint economic strategies needed more discussion at the July 29, 1996 meeting. Councilwoman Howard said she agreed that the Mezes Project is "an opportunity we carmot pass up", and if the School District did not participate the whole project might not happen at all. Councilwoman Howard said the City was doing many things to help the downtown and economic development such as the Sidewalks Improvement program, the Entry Features program and the Storefront Improvement program. Councilwoman Howard said she wanted to be sure there would be adequate staff to implement the economic development strategies the Council and Agency chose. She spoke in support of the Rolison Road project which she said will have a positive impact on the whole MINUTE BOOK NO. 54 neighborhood. Page No. 304 MINUTES JUNE 17, 1996 SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING PAGE 15