Editor,
The San Mateo City Council will be holding a study session Nov. 3 discussing the Hillsdale Mall Project. Currently the project is projected to produce 2,100,000 square feet of commercial space and 1,670 new residences. Using conservative numbers 8,200 net new jobs will be created and only 1,670 residences, 250 of which are below market. This job to housing imbalance of five jobs to one residence is an unsustainable environmental disaster.
The Bohannon Development Company is billing this project as a gift to the community when in fact it is just another money grab by a very wealthy family. As has been well documented, this family’s wealth was built by its founder, David Bohannon Sr. through his profound influence of drafting, implementing and enforcing the brutal housing exclusionary practices starting in the early 20th century. These forces have left millions of people in poverty here in California alone.
The project says that to support the 250 BMR units a total of 2,1000,000 is needed yet nearby Station Park Green has 600 residencies, including 60 BMR units and 30,000 square feet of commercial while the pipeline project Concar Passage will have 850 including 150 BMR with only 3,100 square feet of commercial.
The city of San Mateo is aggressively rebranding itself as the beacon of hope through bold actions supporting all immigrants, DEI programs, sustainability, resiliency and integrity. This project flies in the face of all their stated missions and values while furthering a shortage of housing leaving the most marginalized residence scrimping for the ever-elusive affordable housing.
I invite you to share your thoughts and concerns on Nov. 3 as this project can be truly a transformative development for all the residences in San Mateo.
John Ebneter
San Mateo
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