Before the state Legislature starts voting on thousands of bills introduced this year, the San Mateo City Council lobbied Assemblyman Gene Mullin, D-South San Francisco, to support major projects on the city's horizon.
The council touted its new library and plans for Bay Meadows redevelopment Friday, but it also looked to Mullin for state financial help to fund its police station rebuild project.
The city is $8 million over its original budget for the new police station to be constructed on Saratoga Drive and Hillsdale Boulevard and the price could go higher if steel and concrete prices continue to rise. The city is also looking to make the new building environmentally friendly. Councilman Jack Matthews hinted to Mullin that state incentives for "green" buildings could help the budget dilemma.
The council brought Mullin up to speed on Bay Meadows, one of the largest development proposals to hit San Mateo County in recent years. The development will replace the existing race track near Hillsdale train station near the intersection of State Route 92 and Highway 101.
"This could be the classic model for how transit-oriented development should work because it's within spitting distance of transit," Councilwoman Sue Lempert said.
The development is expected to include 1.2 million square feet of office space and 1,200 housing units. There will also be a "mini Santana Row" and 15-acre park, Lempert added.
The council also stressed the importance of California's economic stability. Downtown continues to see slow but stable growth after the addition of the movie theater two years ago. Some national chains are moving in downtown, but smaller stores are moving out at the same rate.
Equinox gym and Jos. A. Banks are the newest additions, but other stores like the Great River Company are closing due to lackluster earnings.
Mullin said things should turn around for businesses.
"The business climate is improving statewide. We are seeing earnings in the two state pension funds," Mullin said.
Changes to the state pension plan topped city staff's list of issues. Increased contributions to employee pensions is significantly cutting into city budgets across the state.
Mullin met with local officials before heading back to Sacramento for two weeks of hearings on new bills.
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.
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CA Is Burning said:
CA Is Burning said:
CA Is Burning said:
Disadvantaged = uneducated third world foreigners whose living habits are not aligned with the USA.
CA Is Burning said:
LITTLE - I think the time is here, have you considered MAID?
Thomas Morgan said:
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