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<br />recommendations for a Downtown Plan
<br />Mayor Bury commented on having received a request from a member of the class
<br />for use by the group of the Mini Bus facilities for a trip to the downtown
<br />area, with the objective of making a report to their class and the community
<br />regarding their thoughts about improvements. The students then briefly out-
<br />lined their proposals, supplemented by their drawings.
<br />Tom Wahl, 3775 Red Oak Way, Redwood City, in his introductory
<br />comments, explained the group represented the Team Room,
<br />Kennedy School, that they had met with Mayor Bury and
<br />Mr. Jerry Chandler, of the Chamber of Commerce, accompanied
<br />by Mr, Woodson, Principal and Mrs. Kendall, their teacher,
<br />and toured Downtown, particularly along El Camino Real,
<br />Audrey Flores, 1026 Connecticut Drive, spoke on a street
<br />plan, the objective of which was to observe areas of
<br />congested traffic, and four intersections were noted,
<br />A number of vacant store buildings in the 2600 block
<br />of Broadway were also observed where it was felt
<br />attention should be focused.
<br />Keith Koslosky, 3049 Muller Court, discussed a triangular
<br />area which was felt could be developed into a park, in
<br />the area of the United California Bank, Bank of California
<br />and Fireside Thrift, and described proposal for bridges across
<br />E1 Camino to the mall,
<br />The proposed mall was briefly described by Kathy Gottman,
<br />1221 Alameda, with Commercial Way becoming a walkway, and
<br />stores and possibly restaurants lining the mall, as well
<br />as a townhouse.
<br />Rich Selsted, 240 Brookwood, stated parking would be along
<br />Brewster and Perry. Unused parking area along Commercial
<br />Street also observed, which would be turned into a mall.
<br />Ken Yamamoto, 738 Topaz, discussed the neglected appearance
<br />of some downtown buildings, suggesting monthly inspection
<br />by City personnel, and landlords be subjected to fines for
<br />non-compliance of maintenance of appearance and cleanliness,
<br />with fines to go toward a beautification fund,
<br />Mary Ruth Batchelder, 2110 Stockbridge, felt the incidents
<br />of shoplifting in that part of Downtown by Sequoia High
<br />School students would decline if there was a mall with
<br />locations to sit at lunch hour.
<br />In their responses to Council questions, it was indicated where the S.P.
<br />railroad passes through in relation to the improved areas; that many proposals
<br />had been suggested, and that estimates of costs were planned to be considered
<br />in the next phase of the study, Mayor Bury complimented the group for their
<br />interest and critical observations, and indicated a copy of their report
<br />should be made available for Council. Councilman Henderson felt the
<br />suggestions should be made part of the record of the Downtown Plan, and
<br />Mayor Bury noted the presentation would be part of the minutes, and should
<br />be brought to the attention of the Planning Commission, City Attorney was
<br />requested to express his views as to the application of fines against
<br />property owners, and possible legal constraints, and he indicated that
<br />under present statutes controls would have to be on the basis of current
<br />definition of nuisance. Aesthetics alone are not subject to legal constraint
<br />by imposition of fines,
<br />Councilman Henderson expressed concern that two matters were not on the agenda;
<br />one being the participation of the Park Department in the Fiesta, and the
<br />other a proposed allotment of funds for the Redwood City Junior Soccer
<br />Team. City Manager stated it was his understanding that response on
<br />participation in the Fiesta was to have been held in abeyance as being
<br />more appropriate after completion of the Budget Study meetings. With
<br />regard to the contribution proposed to be made for travel funds of the
<br />Soccer Team, he advised he was prepared to respond. Mayor Bury asked that
<br />the matter be held until later in the meeting.
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