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Uploaded: Monday, October 26, 2009, 12:05 PM
Developer would level downtown 'eyesore'
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 | A small hotel on Evelyn Avenue near Castro Street, which some neighbors say is "essentially a halfway house," would be demolished to make way for a four-story office building under a proposal heard this week by the city's zoning administrator.
Applicant Daniel Minkoff wants to replace the Pacific Euro Hotel with a new 63,129-square-foot office building built above a 16,288-square-foot underground parking garage. Two parcels are involved -- both located between Wild Cherry Lane and Bryant Street -- at 871 Evelyn Ave. and 891 Evelyn Ave.
Because the city's zoning encourages ground floor retail space downtown, the proposal requires that zoning administrator Peter Gilli approve a provisional use permit to allow office space on the ground floor.
Minkoff has also requested a permit to remove a heritage tree on the site, which is required under the current design.
In a city-organized workshop in March, neighbors met to express concerns about a proposed 51-unit affordable family housing development on Evelyn and Franklin streets. During the meeting, some complained about the Pacific Euro Hotel near their condos at 108 Bryant Street, saying it detracted from the quality of their neighborhood.
City planner Rebecca Shapiro said the City Council will give final approval on the project at a later date.
— Daniel DeBolt
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Posted by Todd, a resident of the Shoreline West neighborhood, on Oct 26, 2009 at 2:15 pm I'm disgusted, but not surprised by the characterization of the hotel. If they think that hotel is "ghetto" they obviously have never made it out of their gated enclave to some place with an actual ghetto.
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Posted by Peter, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Oct 26, 2009 at 2:38 pm Sensationalism again on the part of the Voice newspaper. Trying to stir up resentment towards residents at Bryant Street is again the order of the day. We never said that they were "Ghetto." Can someone say Rupert Murdoch?
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Posted by James Hall, a resident of the Shoreline West neighborhood, on Oct 26, 2009 at 2:43 pm Just what the area needs most right now - another office building. We should all replace the term "developer" with a more appropriate and descriptive title.
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Posted by Don Frances, Mountain View Voice Editor, on Oct 26, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Don Frances is a member (registered user) of Mountain View Voice Peter,
Yes, someone did use the word "ghetto." From our story in March: "My concern is you are building a ghetto right here," said one resident, who added that — despite the police station located across Franklin Street — neighbors already must put up with the Pacific Euro hotel nearby, which was described as "essentially a halfway house." Web Link
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Posted by Whas da Prob, a resident of the Sylvan Park neighborhood, on Oct 26, 2009 at 3:27 pm Halfway up? Halfway down? Is the PE a crime magnet?
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Posted by Peter, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Oct 26, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Don: If that is true, should you not report that "one person" stated this and "one person" does not reflect the opinions of the community? You, and the Voice, should be better than that. I think that the Voice does great reporting but you are not being fair when you blanket us all with one, clearly reactionary, comment.
Why not quote me: "I have no issue with the Pacific Euro Hotel of the people who live there.In fact, I see them every day and spoke with them on several occasions,they are nice people." I suppose this comment would not sensationalize the article!
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Posted by Dr. Collateral, a resident of the Cuesta Park neighborhood, on Oct 26, 2009 at 4:15 pm What would be so wrong with an office building at that location? Perfectly situated next to a major transport hub. Better than yet another office building out in the greenfield someplace.
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Posted by QM, a resident of the North Whisman neighborhood, on Oct 26, 2009 at 4:36 pm
291 Evandale should be the new home of the Pacific Euro Hotel.
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Posted by Agree with Dr. Collateral, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Oct 27, 2009 at 7:09 am I agree with Dr. Collateral... I think this is a fine location for a moderately sized office building such as the one that is proposed. Besides being right next to the train station, it would bring more patrons to the nearby restaurants and businesses, and could replace some of the office/R&D space that is being converted to residential over in the Whisman area.
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Posted by Andrew, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Oct 27, 2009 at 3:23 pm Nice rendering...except what's with the foreign license plate? :)
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Posted by Aaron, a resident of the Blossom Valley neighborhood, on Oct 27, 2009 at 4:19 pm Stop making war on the poor! With 12% local unemployment, you might be among them sooner than you think!
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Posted by Mr Advice, a resident of the Blossom Valley neighborhood, on Oct 27, 2009 at 6:55 pm BULLDOZE THE RAT TRAP!!!!!!!
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Posted by downtown fan, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Oct 28, 2009 at 9:05 am I think that ghetto remark is insulting and way off. Let's not be too silly.
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Posted by Array, a resident of , on Oct 28, 2009 at 9:21 am Pacific Euro Hotel is a chain. There is one a block away from my office in downtown Redwood City. I walk past it at least once per day.
The term "ghetto" is somewhat inaccurate as it is just a single building and does have a variety of people including psychos, bums, and psycho bums. It's never a pleasant experience walking part the building.
A bulldozer would be a big help, though the current residents would be turned out onto the streets which would be a problem for them and of course for us.
(login broken again - USA)
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Posted by Don Frances, Mountain View Voice Editor, on Oct 28, 2009 at 9:46 am
Don Frances is a member (registered user) of Mountain View Voice Regarding the "ghetto" thing, I think Peter is right insofar as it's become a distraction from the story. We'll leave that word out in the future -- however, that won't change the fact that neighbors don't hold the Pacific Euro Hotel in high regard.
(USA, I think it's only your login that is having problems -- others seem to be logging in fine. I'm not sure what's wrong but maybe if you canceled your old account and created a new one?)
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Posted by Catherine, a resident of the Jackson Park neighborhood, on Oct 28, 2009 at 1:21 pm At that size, how about figuring out how to put in a first-floor grocery store to go along with three floors of office space? The Palo Alto Piazza's is 18,000 square feet.
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Posted by Array, a resident of the Cuesta Park neighborhood, on Oct 28, 2009 at 2:43 pm Good point. Sticking in some ground-level retail would be a good idea. I should suggest this to the city council.
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Posted by USA, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Oct 28, 2009 at 4:42 pm
USA is a member (registered user) of Mountain View Voice Yes, the "ghetto" thing is a distraction. The building itself is not bad. It's just the residence.
I agree with my doppelganger Array that a first floor retail with office and/or condos above would be good. I am not a big fan of yet another characterless glass & steel office pillbox, but the rendering on this one looks pretty good.
(I will try a new account.)
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Posted by kathy, a resident of the Sylvan Park neighborhood, on Oct 29, 2009 at 7:30 pm Any reasonable plan to demolish this sorry excuse for a hotel should be supported by the City. That 'hotel' is an eyesore, or as Bette Davis would have said 'What a dump!'.
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