Centennial Plaza Plans Etcetera

City projects should be prioritized (as opined in the Daily Journal)

A plan to place a plaza on a much-used parking lot at the Burlingame Train Station might be dropped after all to be replaced with some sort of public space carved out in Washington Park nearby. And we can't think of a better resolution.

Depending on what the project will be on Washington Park, creating a new gathering space in a previously established gathering space is a smart alternative to the original proposal. However, we can't help but think that the city's focus should be on other priorities.

After some months of discussion, centennial celebration planners had considered the possibility of removing a parking lot right next to the train station and placing a plaza there to celebrate the city's 100 years of existence next year. That spot was a bad idea for such a plaza because it not only removed much-needed parking, it would place gathering people next to dangerous train tracks. A plaza there would also do little to create additional walkability? since the path along North Road is already very popular. This plan is part of a year-long celebration with activities as varied as a vintage fashion show, an old-time baseball game, a parade and a play. Most of the organizing is done by volunteers, but there is council and staff time involved.

While it is good to recognize the importance of the city's first 100 years, there are also many other important issues facing Burlingame. Infrastructure needs should be at the top of the list. Recent storms flooded Burlingame in spots and more should be done to make sure the city's residents are safe and dry. A bond measure strongly supported by the City Council would have fixed some of the problems and its recent failure was regrettable.

However, there needs to be more emphasis placed on ways to obtain additional funding to repair the city's sewer system rather than elaborate schemes to celebrate a milestone albeit an important one. Let's hope the Washington Park alternative is modest so the city can get back to the business to which it truly needs to attend.

Additional Article:

Latest proposal could save downtown parking (by Mark Abramson, Daily News)

Organizers of Burlingame's yearlong centennial bash said they are considering an alternative to building a plaza at the train station. The plan to build a public plaza at the Burlingame Avenue and California Drive Caltrain station to commemorate the city's centennial could be replaced with a project at Washington Park, said Parks and Recreation Director Randy Schwartz, who is the city's staff liaison to the Centennial Celebration committees. The plaza idea at the train station concerned area business owners because it would take up some or all of a downtown public Parking Lot V. Some city council candidates before the November election, including new Council Member Jerry Deal, also questioned whether a plaza next to a train station and a busy street is safe. Schwartz would not say what he would propose at the park because he will unveil those plans at the city council's Jan. 7 meeting. "It will be usable space," he said.

In addition to a plaza or another project to commemorate the city's birthday, several events are planned to celebrate the centennial. Centennial planners said that droves of people have turned out for the events to celebrate the city's 100th birthday. The festivities started in June and conclude with a ball and fireworks finale on June 6, 2008. "We are really excited that people love their city so much that they want to party all year long," said City Council Member Terry Nagel. She recently served on the Centennial Celebration Executive Committee during her one-year term as mayor. A plethora of people have also volunteered to help plan the events, she said.

The community picnic in early October attracted 300 to 400 people alone, and a scavenger hunt that same weekend had about 150 participants, which was more than anyone expected, Schwartz said. "The events are doing well. We have had a lot interest so far," Schwartz added.

Another event that is getting a lot of attention is the Vintage Fashion Show on Sunday, Feb. 24, at the Kohl Mansion, Schwartz said. About half of the 120 tickets for $75 each have been sold, and the use of the mansion is being donated by Mercy High School, which is based there. The show will feature fashions like wool bathing suits and clothing from various eras.

Centennial celebration organizers are counting on events like the Fashion Show; the musical play "A Class Act" about the city's history; the ball; and sponsors to help pay back a $50,000 loan from the city. The play has been in the works for months, and it will be performed three times from Friday, Jan. 11, to Sunday, Jan. 13, at Burlingame High School.

A centennial art, photography and video contest called Visions of Burlingame have been added to the celebration as well. The contests are open to Burlingame residents and people who live outside the city.

For more information about the centennial, call the city at 650-558-7200, or go to www.burlingame.org and click on About Burlingame.

- Written by Fiona

Comments

[Principal T]

Placing the Centennial Plaza/Space within Washington Park does not seem to be the greatest idea in terms of creating a sense of deeper community in Burlingame.

The park is a bit out of the way and is a destination in and of itself --- the only way you'd know that the Centennial project is there is if one were walking their dog through the park etc. To that end, I just don't see the greater 'utility' of that location.

Why can't we just keep it simple? Something as easy as a fountain or something... say on the island b/t City Hall and the Library. Or another suitable and visible place. It truly baffles me to see this project create so much tension and dare I say hatred and anger in our community.

If we keep things simple, not too big, not too crazy or grand... then everybody can be happy. And we can all do one big community end-zone dance together.

Enough with the petty politics of personal petulance/vanity exhibited by some of the so-called 'leaders' in our community who take things so personally. It's time we all work together to get something done.

The Washington Park proposal is a great step in the process of developing concensus. Thhe ensuing debate on the proposal will help facilitate a framework towards a unified and cohesive centennial celebration that truly unifies our community that is Burlingame.

I have been a long time proponent of developing a very nice, simple (and not costly) at the island between City Hall and our Library. I have met with city officials, drawn up plans, received quotes, and volunteer services.

Keep it simple, I agree! The city seems to want something quite more grand!

jean

Thank goodness that some "simple" Centennial projects can be agreed upon with strong leadership and with little fuss, no grandstanding, no rerouting of traffic into a roundabout or gobbling up parking spaces, no peed-in fountains and no traffic studies.

The two successful projects are the Cannon Park Centennial Tree (perfect place) and the two Lions at the Library (perfect place).

Thank you to the Library and the Beautification Commission for showing us that with creative volunteers with creative ideas (plus generous donors) things can get done in Burlingame - and during the Centennial Year no less!

So now what? Randy and the city want to pave Washington Park? Take out more greenery?

I'm really looking forward to hearing about this plan!

I wonder, with the two "succesful" projects mentioned, why can't the city just stop? Those are the Centennial gifts, period. Save the money for something else.

By the way, developing the island at city hall never needed rerouting traffic or a roundabout...just some creativity.

I concur with the statement in the first article above, "There needs to be more emphasis placed on ways to obtain additional funding to repair the city's sewer system." Sufficient emphasis should be placed on further examination of a community facilities district. It is inherently flexible in terms of tax structure; a general obligation bond/assessed value tax is not. Those of us who publicly opposed Measure H will most certainly opppose ANY future general obligation bond for flood control, regardless of the amount.

In a town where projects like a museum, painting the cuppola, a new Safeway, etc. take forever, two or two dozen improvements that are non-city funded and achieved under the Centennial Umbrella (or not) is a time for dancing naked!

I wait (hmmmm) and look forward to seeing the Park plans but there are two areas that are ripe for improvement in the not too distant future:

(1) The Park Maintenance Yard

Could some of the equipment be housed in the Carolan Corp Yard or in the fenced off area on California Drive? This would open up a portion of the Yard and/or staff parking lot for more park or public space?

(2) The paved courtyard patio behind the Rec Center

This is pretty dismal and some creative paving, benches, planters, a stage and trees would enhance the Rec Center and the park.

No blade of grass would be killed or maimed in the process.

[jt3605]

How about a Centennial Rec Center? Seems kind of weird to think of improving anything outside in out park when the anchor building inside and out looks like it does. It's an embarassment to the community.

Improving the already paved area behind the rec center could a nice addition, but again, very expensive, and I'm thinking an amphitheater type venue would take up more than what is currently paved.

Even non-city funded. Do we want folks giving to a centennial "thing" (when we have two very good ones planned..cannon park, the lions) or do we want folks to save up and vote on improving our sewer systems? Well, there is something for everyone, and everyone likes to give in there own way.