After a plan to keep the 600 block of Santa Cruz Avenue closed to cars narrowly won city council approval, Menlo Park is now the next step in reimagining the space as a vibrant public plaza aimed at drawing residents and visitors downtown. Councilmembers are excited about making it a space “the city can be proud of.”
The Menlo Park City Council reviewed initial design concepts for new improvements to the 600 block, where vehicle access has been restricted since 2023. The city is far from having a plan or timeline for use of the space, but the initial concepts intrigued councilmembers.
The effort is part of the city’s broader goal of “downtown vibrancy,” one of its top five priorities for fiscal year 2025-26. The area under consideration spans approximately 2,500 square feet of additional public space, with another 1,200 square feet identified between the existing outdoor dining area and the bike lane.
Assistant City Manager Stephen Stolte said the city partnered with urban design consultants from M-Group to explore options that balance community needs, safety and aesthetics.
Concepts included flexible seating arrangements, protective barriers, shade sails, overhead string lighting and painted roadway treatments to help define spaces for different uses. M-Group also brought up the possibility of adding a sidewalk to connect the plaza with an already existing breezeway.
The city also wants to ensure the space is accessible and safe. City staff are evaluating platforms to level uneven street grades and ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Protective planters and decorative fencing could be used to separate the plaza from a bike lane.
The city will also work with the Menlo Park Fire Protection District. Gage Schlice, the new fire marshal at the district, told the council he looked forward to making a space that both accomplishes the city’s goal and is safe for residents.
By transforming the space, the city hopes to create a downtown “living room” where people of all ages feel welcome and connected.
Seemingly referring to Bistro Vida owner Ali El Safy’s idea for the space, the city is considering whether to include an event space with a stage and programming such as live music and movies.
Menlo Park Mayor Drew Combs has concerns about that idea and thinks it would be better to focus on maintain a gathering place rather than an area for city programming.
Another area where Combs differed from his fellow councilmembers concerned a street mural. He said he is worried about maintenance of a street art installation.
“I’m not a fan of murals on the street, because it’s always the case that in a few months, they look very worn, and there’s chips. Unless we are really, actively retouching the mural, I think that they really very quickly make a place look worn down,” Combs said.
The project is partially funded with $477,515 available in the city’s Capital Improvement Plan for downtown streetscape improvements. Additional costs for construction, equipment, and outreach would be determined as plans progress.
Next steps include launching a public outreach campaign in August to gather community input. Staff plan to host pop-up events at the site, provide online engagement opportunities and work directly with downtown businesses and organizations to refine design proposals.
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