Eminent domain for 101, Woodside project in Redwood City

The three properties still in need of purchase are the parcels commonly known as 24-hour Fitness, Denny’s and Harbor View. These properties, and eight others, are identified as necessary to purchase for the public project.

One attorney representing 24-hour Fitness spoke during public comment, but the city’s special counsel Ben Stock said there are no requirements to meet with property tenants. Rather, it is required to meet with property owners, which it has done.

Councilmembers approved the resolutions of necessity unanimously. 

Every single property to be affected has been listed in project plans for a decade, Councilmember Jeff Gee said. 

“This is no secret, this has been known since 2016,” Gee said. 

The major project extends for 1.9 miles along Highway 101 and 0.4 miles along Woodside Road. It looks to dramatically improve the notoriously congested intersection and promote bicyclist and pedestrian safety. 

The interchange upgrades include widening Woodside Road to six lanes, three in each direction, with turn pockets. It also will reconstruct all ramp connections between the road and Highway 101, and construct two flyover ramps for Veterans Boulevard for northbound Highway 101 and to southbound Highway 101. The revamp is to eliminate the existing five-legged intersection at Broadway and Woodside Road. Major upgrades to pedestrian and bicycle facilities throughout the project area will also be done. 

The project is fully funded, including the amounts allotted to acquire properties. Estimated right-of-way acquisitions are anticipated to cost $21.3 million in total. 

Acquisition offers to purchase have been distributed to property owners, but negotiations remain ongoing for the final three properties. With the City Council’s approval, staff can proceed with pursuing litigation if the issue of just compensation is not resolved in negotiations. 

While discussions of the interchange improvements have been a city priority for over 10 years, as noted by Gee, the council agreed the city must continue to work in good faith and communicate with affected property owners throughout the process. 

“I got a text message the other day from a former councilmember saying ‘Are we ready? Are we almost there?’” Gee said. “We are almost there.” 

Should the city secure the right-of-way and finish negotiations in 2026, the goal will be to advertise construction constructs early 2027 and begin construction in spring 2027. The entire project is estimated to take three years to complete.