Downtown Visioning and Planning Process:
Help Imagine Menlo Park's Future In the coming months, Menlo Park will start work on a “Vision Plan” for the future of Downtown and the El Camino Real corridor.
The visioning project will benefit from the input of a wide range of people, including residents, business owners, elected and appointed officials, developers, and architects. The City Council believes that your active participation is crucial to the success of this project.
The City Council has identified a goal relating to adoption of a Specific Plan or comparable document for the El Camino Real and Downtown areas, with the aim of increasing economic vitality and guiding land use development and transportation and other infrastructure proposals. The Council has agreed that that a broad and inclusive visioning process (Phase I) is needed prior to creation of a Specific Plan or equivalent document (Phase II). For reference, Specific Plans are tools for the systematic implementation of the general plan, establishing a link between implementing policies of the general plan and the individual development proposals in a defined area.
At the core of the Phase I visioning process is the need for broad public outreach and participation. This process is intended to engage a wide range of community members, including those who may not currently be involved in civic activities.
On August 7, 2007, the City Council approved initial steps to establish a Vision Plan for El Camino Real and Downtown. The City subsequently issued a general Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a consultant to direct the visioning process, and received responses from 11 planning and public outreach/facilitation firms. On September 25, 2007, the City Council reviewed and approved the Subcommittee recommendation for next steps in the process, including a Request for Proposal (RFP) and a recommended list of RFP recipients. More information is available in the staff report of September 25. The deadline for proposals is October 24, with consultant interviews tentatively scheduled for the first two weeks of November. While the process moves forward to procure consultant services, the City has sent an initial project newsletter and is starting an educational speaker series.
SPEAKER SERIES
To help generate initial ideas and discussion, the City is holding an educational forum on general planning and transportation topics. The events will take place at the City Council Chambers (701 Laurel Street), and will also be available for online viewing on the City’s Live and Archived Media page. In addition, handouts and other meeting materials will be available on the City’s web page.
- Wednesday, February 13, 2008 6:00 p.m. ~ 7:15 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 12, 2008 6:00 p.m. ~ 7:15 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 9, 2008 6:00 p.m. ~ 7:15 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 14, 2008 6:00 p.m. ~ 7:15 p.m.
Source: www.menlopark.org
36th Annual Golden Acorn Awards Banquet
Over the years, Menlo Park has proven itself to be a community concerned with giving to others. For more than three decades, the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce has acknowledged those individuals, organizations and businesses who consistently make the effort to significantly and positively contribute to Menlo Park and the surrounding communities. The Chamber will recognize community service leaders at the 36th Annual Golden Acorn Awards Banquet on September 18, 2008 at the Stanford Park Hotel.
The following are the 2007 Golden Acorn Award Recipients:
Albert J. Giannotti Award for Business Excellence
Stanford Park Hotel
Gary T. and Elissa Williams Memorial Award for Community Service
Richard Acquaviva, Gentry Magazine
Non-Profit Organization Award
National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy (NCEFT)
Public Service Award
Mary Ann Somerville Nominations for the 2008 award candidates should be submitted prior to May 30th using the attached form. Golden Acorn Nomination Form |
