A crowd of around 50 Millbrae residents and community members rallied at the troubled La Quinta Inn Oct. 3 to demand the county drop its purchase offer for the hotel and respond to a letter from the City Council asking for the same.
That letter came on the heels of the Department of Housing and Community Development’s denial of Project Homekey funds for the proposed project — which county officials say is intended to provide housing for formerly homeless families and seniors — citing a lack of site control.
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors’ September 2023 vote to purchase the hotel drew ire from the community since its inception and has resulted in a lawsuit and the recall of two councilmembers. During an impassioned speech, Millbrae Councilmember Ann Schneider said it was time for the county to rescind its purchase offer.
“I am so happy to have all of you here today to tell Supervisor Pine and the rest of the supervisors — put this on your agenda and vote to remove this purchase of La Quinta, and then come back in the future and work with the city of Millbrae,” she said.
Although this was the final funding cycle for Project Homekey, Schneider warned against future versions of the program taking away revenue-producing sources like La Quinta.
County Executive Officer Mike Callagy said he hasn’t yet had the opportunity to get into a closed session with the board, but plans to in November and December and will pursue a direction after that conversation.
“We didn’t get Homekey for it. I don’t know why they’re concerned,” he said.
“I understand they’re angry at the county,” she said. “They need to understand, we’re running a business. If they want us to keep the hotel and not sell, they should not do these things.”
Protests would be better directed at the county or city, Desai said, and not located at the hotel whose revenue Millbrae relies upon. If they really want the hotel to remain in business, individuals should ask the city to support small businesses, like hotels, she said.
But a lack of conclusion on the La Quinta project has put the city in flux, District 1 City Council candidate Stephen Rainaldi said at the rally, and residents deserve a conclusion.
“This project has helped 40 people to not know what their job security is. It’s caused a restaurateur here who invested money to have to relocate, and it’s caused the residents of Millbrae, in this community, a lot of concern around their fiscal sustainability and public safety,” he said. “The time is now for the Board of Supervisors to show leadership.”
A multitude of Millbrae residents spoke out at the event as well, often to thunderous cheers and applause from the gathered crowd, and many held up signs like ‘Cancel purchase of La Quinta’ and ‘Protect our Millbrae.’
“We have given alternative solutions. We have asked them to listen to us, and they continue, continuously, to refuse to listen to the voices here of the residents of Millbrae. We stand together. We stand strong. We believe in our beliefs. That’s how we roll,” community member Ken Smith said.
(1) comment
The county normally prides itself on "collaboration". People do not like surprises. This is one of many examples why over 60% of the people believe we are on the wrong track and do not trust our government. This is sad. Residents deserve a better job from our elected leaders and highly paid county executives.
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