Hotel by the Ocean

Beach Boulevard Anchor to Palmetto Avenue

From Pacifica Tribune, Letters-to-the-editor 4/14/10, http://www.mercurynews.com/pacifica/ci_14876965?nclick_check=1

Jane Northrop did a yeoman's job of reporting on the study session regarding the old WWTP site at Beach Boulevard. Several members of the public came up and offered their pet suggestions for everything from a hotel to reviving the Pacifica Ocean Discovery Center. The only problem is that she left my suggestion out in the cold.

I have a pet idea for a hotel, which I think is a great one; however, I resisted the temptation to offer it because I felt that what West Sharp Park really needed was an objective, professional analysis of the entire neighborhood — incorporating everything from an economic analysis to examining the zoning and how it works and doesn't work toward our goal of making a vibrant downtown. Parking is also an issue that we can't overlook. If our intention is to attract lots of visitors to Palmetto, doesn't it make sense to plan for the parking that will accommodate them all?

I specifically recommended that if we pick a consultant, that we pick one not because they're the cheapest or because they'll rubber stamp what the "powers that be" want to hear, but because of their successful track record in other cities. In particular, when I was on WSPAC, I remember meeting a consultant team that won awards for their work in Campbell, Sunnyvale, and Mountain View. Past success should be the main criteria for picking a consultant for our city.

West Sharp Park has some things working for it, and some things that don't work for it, which are the root causes of why this area is blighted. All of these issues need to be addressed. Being on target with our planning is too important to overlook and can ultimately make the difference between success or failure. As reported, the study session concluded that the next step would be a highest and best use study of the WWTP site. Although it's not as comprehensive an approach as I suggested, it's a step in the right direction.

Posted by Gil Anda