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From:Christine Padilla <br />To:publiccomment <br />Subject:Public Comment – March 4, 2025 Support for Redwood LIFE Evolve <br />Date:Tuesday, March 4, 2025 1:07:06 PM <br />You don't often get email from cpadilla@sanmateo4cs.org. Learn why this is important <br />Public Comment – March 4, 2025 <br />Support for Redwood LIFE Evolve <br />Good evening, Mayor, Councilmembers, and Planning Commissioners, <br />My name is Christine Padilla, and I am the Director of Build Up San Mateo County, an <br />initiative dedicated to expanding access to high-quality early care and education. <br />I’m here tonight to strongly support the Redwood LIFE Evolve proposal and highlight the <br />critical need for child care investment in Redwood City. Longfellow Real Estate Partners <br />has committed $2 million to our Capital Fund, which will be distributed as grants to <br />child care operators in Redwood Shores and the greater Redwood City area. These <br />funds will help address our region’s child care shortage by supporting facility improvements <br />and subsidizing low-income infant care. <br />Right now, San Mateo County lacks thousands of child care spaces, and funding is not <br />keeping up with demand. The California Child Care & Development Infrastructure Grant <br />Program saw 22 applications from our county requesting $16 million, yet only 2 were <br />funded, receiving just $1.6 million. Families and businesses feel the impact daily, with <br />long waitlists and economic strain. <br />The Redwood LIFE Evolve project is an opportunity to invest in the long-term well-being <br />of our community—supporting workforce participation, family stability, and local <br />businesses. I also want to commend Longfellow for listening to community concerns and <br />making meaningful adjustments to the project. <br />I urge the City Council and Planning Commission to support the Compromise Project <br />Alternative and help bring critical child care resources to Redwood City. <br />Thank you. <br />