RDA Min 2001-01-08 Jnt - Laserfiche WebLink

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Rudy Luca stated the impact of the project will be traffic, creating gridlock and the downtown and parking areas will suffer. He further stated that if a Police substation were not built there would be problems. Keith Bautista stated he recently visited San Luis Obispo and it was alive with customers at clothing stores, the cinema and restaurants. He stated he would love to have downtown alive with venues that would encourage his family and others to come to the downtown. He stated he believes the retail/cinema would help create the same conditions that have helped San Luis Obispo become a wonderful place for the use of the community. Randy Blair, Pizza and Pipes owner and Vice President of the business group in Redwood City, stated the group sent out its own questionnaire. A total of 198 postcards were sent out with 31 having been returned. The primary question was, "Do you think that a retail/cinema project would help revitalize downtown Redwood City?" Three were not sure, 5 answered no and the other 23 were all in favor. An informal vote of hands also showed two people were undecided and everyone else was in favor of the project. He stated his delivery business would be greatly affected by the Winslow closure. He further stated there are no guarantees, only opportunities. Alan Bygdnes stated that the parking garage profit is a risk and suggested the City sell the property to the developer. He explained that investing the proceeds in government bonds along with the property tax generated to the City would provide a much higher profit than the plan currently under consideration. City Manager Everett gave the following responses to questions posed by the public. 44. Concerns regarding the safety issue of walking one block to the parking garage. There will be security in the parking garage and around the cinema. Community Service Officers will also be stationed in various areas for both traffic issues and pedestrian safety. This will not be a repeat of Spanky's and the facility will be equipped for disabled access. 45. Can emergency vehicles get around? Yes, both the Police and Fire Chiefs have been involved in this issue. 46. Concern with parking and whether arrangements will be available for merchant customers? The 1,000 stall parking garage is not just for the project, in fact, it is for everyone downtown. JOINT ADJOURNED REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 8, 2001 MINUTES PAGE 20 MINUTES Book No.58 Page NO. 316