Matthews named San Mateo mayor

The bill was introduced by former Assemblyman Leland Yee, who is now state senator representing district 8, and would allow new devices to let gamblers bet on videos of past races every 20 to 45 seconds. It was aimed to bring revenue to California’s financially suffering tracks and the cities where they are. It died in committee earlier this year.

While the defeat was the highlight of his year, his first promise as mayor last year to develop the vacant parcels at the corner of Third Avenue and El Camino Real went unfulfilled. However, newly appointed Mayor Jack Matthews vowed to take up the cause in the new year as part of his push to improve downtown San Mateo.

"All of us would agree the downtown is an exciting place to be, but it can be better,” Matthews said.

Matthews wants to bring City Hall back to downtown and create a plaza. City Hall was originally located downtown near Ellsworth and Baldwin avenues, but moved to 20th Avenue in the 1970s.

Matthews is also eager to see the Benjamin Franklin Hotel be reinvented. AF Evans, the building’s owner, is close to sealing a deal to reinstate the historical building as an active hotel. Escrow could close before the end of the year, according to sources close to the deal.

Matthews also encouraged people opposed to the Bay Meadows redevelopment to stop fighting the City Council’s decision and instead become part of the process to develop the project as it moves forward.

"I’m asking all those folks to join us as a city and stay involved ... work to make Bay Meadows the best it can be,” Matthews said.

The new year won’t be without challenges.

The council must consider whether to invoke eminent domain to create southbound freeway on- and off-ramps at the Highway 101 Peninsula Avenue interchange. There is currently no southbound on- or off-ramp at that location. The result is added traffic at the dangerous Poplar Avenue off-ramp, just south of Peninsula Avenue.

He asked residents who may be affected by eminent domain to "keep an open mind for the betterment of the city.”

"It’s incumbent upon us to take a look at that and see if there is a way to make it work,” Matthews said.

Carole Groom was elected as deputy mayor.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.