A long-time San Carlos tradition of closing down several blocks of Laurel Street on Thursday evenings returns in a few weeks on May 7th.

It is great place to meet friends downtown and grab a drink at Town or get the $6 special at Speederia Pizza or grab something from the many vendors that attend the weekly event.

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Like most government agencies from city county state and federal levels, the City of San Carlos is dealing with shrinking revenue and increasing expenses.

Here is an email  from City Manager, Mark Weiss:

The Challenge Ahead: A Message from City Manager Mark Weiss

The Challenge Ahead

Last Fall, we shared with you some of the challenges that the City is facing with its budget.  With the economy at the top of everyone’s thoughts these days, it seems appropriate to provide you with an update.
Over the past 9 years, revenue supporting critical City services has declined.  In order to protect critical programs, in each of the past 9 years the City of San Carlos has cut services and programs in every area including Police, Fire, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Building, Planning and others. 

The City has cut over 30% of administration and administrative costs, and reduced Public Works by 19%.  The Police Department lost seven positions and the Fire Department lost nine positions. 

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The City of San Carlos issued a press release – see below – that Morse St between Laurel and El Camino and portions of Laurel Street near the new mixed use development at 1001 Laurel Street will be closed for approximately 2 weeks starting March 9 to allow completion of the sidewalks and streets around the complex.

My question is how will I get to the Cantina? and Jim DiPaola’s a Cut Above Hair Salon? Lucky I saw Jim on Wednesday and got trimmed up!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 PRESS RELEASE #030609

Downtown Street Closures Planned Starting March 9, 2009
1001 Laurel Street builder to complete street and sidewalk work

Contact : Robert Weil, Public Works Director/City Engineer, Public Works Department    (650) 802-4202
   rweil@cityofsancarlos.org
Jason Anderlite, Palisade Builders    (650) 610-9928

SAN CARLOS, CA – March 5, 2009 -  The City of San Carlos has approved a request by the builder of the 1001 Laurel Street project to close portions of Morse Blvd and Laurel Street so that they can complete the street and sidewalk improvements required of their project.

The 1001 Laurel project is a new four-story mixed use project with 90 condominium residences and street-level retail. When the City Council approved the project in October 2006, the developer was required to repave one block of Morse Boulevard and one half block of Laurel Street and to improve the intersection of Morse Boulevard and Laurel Street.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to complete these improvements without street closures. To minimize future impacts to the neighborhood, the developer has agreed to complete other needed capital improvements in the vicinity of the project.

Morse Boulevard will be closed between El Camino Real and Laurel Street for two weeks starting next Monday, March 9.  After that, a portion of Laurel Street will be closed from Arroyo Avenue to Brittan for up to four days.

During the Laurel Street closure, local traffic will continue to be allowed on the block between Arroyo Avenue and Morse Blvd.  The Laurel Street closure is anticipated to start on March 23, 2009, but the developer will not be permitted to start until the forecast shows four straight days of clear weather.

For questions about construction and access, the public should contact the construction superintendent, Jason Anderlite of Palisade Builders, at (650) 610-9928.  Updates to the construction schedule will be posted on the project’s web site, www.1001Laurel.com.

Although the street closures will have a temporary impact on traffic flow and commerce, the end result will include decorative sidewalks and newly paved streets in the vicinity of the project.

San Carlos announces:

On Monday, February 9, 2009, the City Council directed staff to begin negotiations with Silverstone Communities to enter into an agreement with the City. Once the agreement is completed and approved by the City Council, Silverstone Communities will develop designs and plans to redevelop Wheeler Plaza and to partner with the City on an extensive public participation process on this site.Wheeler Plaza is located one block west of El Camino Real, immediately southwest of the intersection of San Carlos Avenue and Laurel Street and includes a parking lot and 2 adjacent parcels – a retail building on one side, and a six-unit rental housing development on the other.

Silverstone Communities recently has built a large condominium development on El Camino Real in Los Altos called Peninsula Real.

This issue was discussed several years ago with quite a lot of public input.

Folks on both sides of the issue felt very strongly.

Some San Carlos residents like real grass and the “park” like feel to Highlands Parks at present.

Generally and I stress generally, most “baseball” folks want to maintain the real grass while many “soccer” folks want to go to Astroturf since Astroturf holds up better during the fall and winter seasons than does real turf.

During many 12 years involvement in San Carlos youth sports, my boys played both sports and I coached both sports so I do not know if I was a “baseball” guy or a “soccer” guy, I just enjoyed being with my boys and with other San Carlos families – parents and kids alike.

Some City officials want turf because it will be lower cost to maintain.

 What do you think??? – the official comment period starts on Monday.

See official city announcement here.

Make your voice heard!

Honestly, I like the grass but I understand the City is under financial pressure – so I am torn – I do not have all the answers.