Regarding the letter to the editor “Demand for ice rinks” in the July 4 edition of the Daily Journal, Belmont’s rezoning of the Belmont Iceland parcel to permit housing was short-sighted. For decades, residents and city leaders have dreamed of revitalizing downtown Belmont — the blocks surrounding the Caltrain station — to create an area with ambiance, vitality and venues to attract patrons from the wider region. The ice rink could be that venue, if city leaders have some vision. The new zoning does not require a recreational use, or even a commercial use. Currently, housing is where the profits are, so given the option developers will build housing. But Belmont — which already lacks jobs, and is woefully underserved in commercial (with a jobs: housing ratio of just 0.6) — does not need more housing; it needs commercial to serve residents and balance its revenue portfolio.
Instead of caving to “housing crisis” pressures, city leaders could form a public-private partnership to develop the rink into a world-class venue, a la Rockefeller Center. An expanded rink could host state competitions. The venue could include casual dining rink-side, fine dining in an atrium overlooking the rink, party-rooms for events and private parties, a health club and a boutique for related sporting goods. Upper floors could be a hotel serving business travelers and skaters. Just across the street is the Caltrain station and the “Village” to offer more dining and shopping alternatives to visitors, all in walking distance.
This could be Belmont’s golden opportunity to put itself on the map as an elite recreation destination, and thus secure the retail (and revenue) vitality it has long dreamed of. I hope it’s not too late.
“Caving to housing crisis pressures” is pretty gross framing honestly. Building more housing means newcomers have a place to move that doesn’t push out Belmont’s low and middle income residents.
A lot of Belmont’s existing housing stock is not ADA compliant, is not safe in the event of an earthquake, and is not located within walking distance of downtown. This site checks all of those boxes.
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“Caving to housing crisis pressures” is pretty gross framing honestly. Building more housing means newcomers have a place to move that doesn’t push out Belmont’s low and middle income residents.
A lot of Belmont’s existing housing stock is not ADA compliant, is not safe in the event of an earthquake, and is not located within walking distance of downtown. This site checks all of those boxes.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.