Heart of E. Palo Alto eyed for downtown revival

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Feb 12, 2007 | by Neil Gonzales

EAST PALO ALTO -- Much of East Palo Alto's big-business activity has concentrated along the western edge of the city with IKEA, The Home Depot and the Four Seasons Hotel sprouting off Highway 101.

East Palo Alto leaders want to see a similar focus for what is supposed to be the symbolic heart of the city at University Avenue and Bay Road.

Right now, the area is home to City Hall, a number of small shops and apartment units and a large vacant lot. But in the next few years, proposals for new retail, commercial and housing developments at that intersection could revitalize the city center and bring East Palo Alto an identifiable downtown.

"It would be another hub of activity close to City Hall," Councilman Ruben Abrica said. "It's an important intersection. It has always been important. (The proposed developments would) create good business activity and people activity."

That kind of movement would shift some focus east of the highway, Abrica added.

However, some townsfolk remain skeptical such plans will be fulfilled or are wary that if they are, the projects will not fit well in the area.

Hector Trabanino, manager of a MetroPCS store, said a plan to build a full-service supermarket on the vacant lot on the northeastern corner of University and Bay has long remained just talk.

"It was supposed to happen many years ago," Trabanino said. "Anything said has already been said. There's no action taken."

Recently, San Jose-based developer Barry Swenson Builder proposed bringing in a supermarket. That proposal also includes possibly constructing a residential tower of up to

12 stories. Bob Gomez, a 12-year resident, said he's all for a supermarket that would allow East Palo Altans to shop for groceries in town and not have to travel to Palo Alto or Menlo Park. But Gomez is not too keen on a high-rise building.

"That would ruin the city," he said. "I think it would make the city grow too fast."

Carlos Martinez, the city's redevelopment director, said the development proposals for University and Bay are in their early stages and the community still has plenty of opportunities to review and comment on them.

"We're examining all our options really and getting community input," Martinez added.

Another proposal comes from Four Corners at Bay LLC to build about 120 residential units, including affordable housing, above 24,000 square feet of retail space on the southeastern side of University and Bay.

The city also eyes similar mixed-use development on the southwest corner, Martinez said.

Martinez said construction on some of the projects could begin in about two years.

"It's exciting," he said. "East Palo Alto continues to move forward little by little."

Staff writer Neil Gonzales can be reached at (650) 306-2427 or by e-mail at ngonzales@sanmateocountytimes.com.