Are you aware that Caltrans will be ordering the removal of the Park Theater
marquee once they approve a third travel lane for El Camino Real? The
marquee sticks out over the edge of the curb and into the street. It has
already been damaged by a truck that was parking in front of the building.
(I invite you to go over there and look.) Once the street is widened, the
marquee will have to be removed to permit safe passage of trucks.
University Avenue in Palo Alto, with its two historic theaters, has a wide
sidewalk and narrow street in front of the theaters to preserve their
marquees, but we don't have that option on El Camino since it is a state
highway subject to the whims and decisions of Caltrans.

Why spend all this money to renovate a facade whose best characteristic, the
marquee, will be torn down in a few years when Caltrans decides it needs the
third lane for cars?

Andy Duncan says he wants a loan to buy the property. He should go to a
bank. The city shouldn't be in the banking business.

Or, Andy says, let the city buy the property and rent it to him. The city
shouldn't be in the rental real estate business, either. The people who
want to preserve the theater can form a partnership, borrow the money from a
bank, and buy it themselves.

When Ken's Family Restaurant was in financial difficulties, they didn't come
to the city for a handout. Nor did Dal Baffo, Menlo Park Hardware, or the
car dealerships. They let the market forces run their course, and so should
you. If the dance studio's landlord is raising their rent, they should
raise the prices of their classes, which their affluent clientele is
well-able to pay.

If the city lends money or buys the property, you will be setting a very
dangerous precedent for city involvement. What's next - buying the vacant
car dealerships? Taking over every failed restaurant site in town? It's
time to draw the line.

-Sue Kayton
1854 Doris Drive
Menlo Park
650-853-1711
kayton@alum.mit.edu
Received on Tue Oct 2 13:49:01 2007