AgdaPkt 2005-06-06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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�!7 ' � � � / 1 � � 1 � i � , 1 1 Get readv! Downtown Redwood City is on the verge of becoming the entertainment capital of the Peninsula. Already, the Fox Theatre brings nationally recognized musical acts to Downtown, such as Tony Bennett, Neil Young, and Itzhak Perlman. Next door, the Little Fox Theatre brings smaller but incredibly talented acts to a more intimate setting. Both venues draw people from all over the Bay Area. At the end of this year, Century Theaters will relocate from Bayshore Road to the heart of Downtown, bringing with it 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 people per year. Across from the Fox Theatre, Courthouse Square (debuting in 2006) will be the most incredible public space in the county, if not the entire region. This is a place where people will want to be. This will bring many good things to Downtown Redwood City. The sheer numbers of people will enliven our sidewalks, making them much more interesting and much comfortable. The whole district will take on a much more festive mood, and will be a wonderful destination for residents and visitors alike. There will be much more "to do" in Redwood City. Much of the added foot traffic will undoubtedly work its way into local shops and restaurants, �idding to their prosperity while simultaneously enticing more shops and restaurants to locate here—both of which will cause sales tax revenue for the City to rise. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the rejuvenated azea will act as a source of pride for all Redwood City residents—the heart of their city will once again be a place that is important, prosperous, and alive. Downtown will become the "living room" of the Redwood City community. Most of these new visitors to Downtown will arrive by automobile, and they will need a place to store that automobile while they are enjoying themselves. Since the parking space is the place where most will first set foot in the area, it acts as an arrival point and sets the mood for their Downtown experience. Will there be a convenient space available? Will there be an inexpensive space available? If they have to walk, will the walk be pleasant? Will they have to carry a pocketful of quarters, or will there be another way to pay? Will they have to move their car every hour or so to avoid a ticket? There are about as many approaches to downtown parking as there are downtowns. And while many downtown parking programs have positive features, most have very negative features, too—and it is very difficult to get it just right. If there is enough parking, then it is often too much, cluttering the landscape with lifeless asphalt expanses and bunker-like garages. If it is free, then it usually comes at the risk of an expensive ticket or the hassle of moving your caz around to comply with time limits. If you pay, it is usually inconvenient to do so—who has that many quarters? pas�e 1