Burlingame’s Broadway business leader resigning

That choice — alongside correlated action to scrap the Broadway Specific Plan, an ambitious revamp of the Broadway area with mixed-use, transit-oriented development — played a major role in his decision to resign, he said. 

“The timing was right, because I don’t want to deal with the City Council anymore,” Kevranian said. “I realize that the City Council does not care about Broadway.” 

The decision not to move forward with reopening the Broadway station for weekday service — which business leaders say was promised to them for years — is tied to massive cost increase estimates for the Broadway grade separation, which originally included a design with a rebuilt train station. 

Once Burlingame councilmembers learned the design with a train station would cost $889 million, more than double the original price, they voted to move forward with a cheaper grade separation design, at $615 million, sans train station.

Kevranian, however, has been vocal in arguing that the existing train station should be reopened to benefit local commuters and generate foot traffic for the Broadway businesses. Right now, the station is open on the weekends. At minimum, he says, the station should be opened during the week too while the city tries to accrue the needed funding for the grade separation project, which could take years. 

“When weekday service was removed over 20 years ago, the negative impact was immediate and profound,” his resignation letter read. “Restoring service should be a priority — not a political inconvenience.” 

Caltrain has expressed feasibility concerns with that suggestion, pointing to an increase in traffic congestion at the troubled intersection and logistical issues with the design for the current train station, which requires passengers to cross live tracks. 

Without an open train station and given concern from residents around major housing development, the Broadway Specific Plan was scrapped — a decision Kevranian said was thoughtless.

“The City of Burlingame’s decision to terminate the Broadway Specific Plan — which was intended to guide development and investment over the next five, 10 and 20 years — reflects a concerning lack of vision and long-term commitment to Broadway’s prosperity,” the letter read. 

Kevranian has served on the Business Improvement District Board for 25 years and has held the president title for the past 11, focusing on advocating for business needs and spearheading community events, like the annual toy drive. 

Although he is resigning, he said he will continue to play an active role in the downtown community, both as a business owner — he runs local shop Nuts for Candy — and an advocate. 

“I will have a voice as a business owner and I will support my downtown,” he said. “I’m not going to be sitting back and being quiet. I’m going to advocate for what’s best for Broadway and what’s best for the community. I’ve always fought for the businesses, and also the community.” 

Ross Bruce, a former president of the Business Improvement District, lauded Kevranian’s advocacy when it came to the train station issue, as well as general community matters. 

“He was the best president we ever had,” Bruce said. “He did such a great job representing Broadway and he was a fierce advocate for the merchants on Broadway, and represented us well at City Hall.” 

Kevranian’s resignation letter also expressed frustrations with Burlingame’s political leadership stemming from a verbal confrontation with Burlingame Beautification Commissioner Hadia Khoury about the city’s tobacco ban, an issue on which the two disagreed. 

That interaction resulted in the police being called on him to check up on what he deemed “fabricated allegations” that he’d threatened Khoury’s business, he said. He also alleged Burlingame Councilmember Donna Colson was improperly involved in the calling of the police. 

“It’s an intimidation of a business leader to scare and intimidate and bully me,” he said. 

Colson had no comment on the accusation regarding the police, but commended Kevranian for his community service work throughout the years. Khoury also had no comment. 

The Business Improvement District will now begin a search for a new president, which Kevranian will participate in during his remaining tenure. Bruce will also assist in the search, he said, and will likely not step back into the role. 

“I really do believe in getting the younger generation and new ideas and new blood into the leadership of the merchants,” he said. “I would feel better having a younger person at the helm only because they bring new ideas and new insight to the street.”