Upfront
Shopping center (continued from page 3)
But the development would continue to comply with the city’s regulations regarding minimum parking
spaces. Shields said Simon and Stanford University are “singly focused on making sure that Stanford Shopping Center remains a premier world-class shopping and dining destination in the Bay Area.”
“We’re very aware that we have formidable competition for upscale shopping in San Francisco Centre and, south of us, the Valley Fair and the Santana Row complex,” Shield said. “Retail does not stay still. We know the center needs to continue
to evolve, and we’re focused on taking it to the next level.” Opened in 1955, the mall once housed tenants such as Woolworth’s and the coffee shop Sandy’s Kitchen. Now, purveyors include jeweler Tiffany & Co. and Italian men’s clothier Ermenegildo Zegna. Construction would proceed in three phases, with the first phase involving the building of a new Fleming’s restaurant in the front parking lot. The second phase would involve demolition of the existing Bloomingdale’s and construction of the new one about half the size. The third phase, according to the application, would add a “new lifestyle-oriented retail complex in the footprint of the former Bloomingdale’s.” Bloomingdale’s demolition and rebirth is part of a broader restructuring plan by its parent company, Macy’s. The company announced in January its plan to close five Bloomingdale’s stores throughout the country and to open five smaller Bloomingdale Outlet stores this year. The Palo Alto store, while not an outlet, is “expected to emphasize merchandise categories such as women’s and men’s apparel, accessories, cosmetics, shoes and home,” the company stated. Pam Decharo, owner of Hair International and president of the Stanford Shopping Center Merchants Association, said that while details of the new plan have yet to emerge, Simon’s track record gives her reasons to feel confident. The company took over management of the mall in 2003 and has over-
seen its transformation into what she called a “fantastic, world-class shopping center.” Decharo said shoppers’ behavior has changed in recent years, with people becoming more conscious of their shopping experience. “It’s not just about value,” said Decharo, whose salon has been a shopping center fixture for 22 years. “People want a little more of an experience. They want to feel like their time was well-spent.” At its first look at the plans, the Architectural Review Board generally supported Simon’s plans for new retail and a smaller Bloomingdale’s but expressed concern about the proposal to construct a new standalone structure for Fleming’s. Board Member Lee Lippert said he was “very disappointed” and called the proposed site plan “somewhat disjointed.” Board member Alex Lew noted that the proposed Fleming’s location would isolate it from the rest of the mall and criticized the location for “not really responding to the things going around it. “I think there’s still something missing in this particular design,” Lew said. The board didn’t vote on the proposal but directed the applicants to return with revisions to the site plan. Project architect Geno Yun said the team plans to come back later this year with more details about the proposed demolition of Bloomingdale’s and construction of the new store. After that, the focus would shift to the new retail complex. N
NOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETING of the City of Palo Alto Planning & Transportation Committee Please be advised the Planning and Transportation Commission (P&TC) shall conduct a public meeting at 6:00 PM, Wednesday, April 25, 2012 in the Council Chambers, Ground Floor, Civic Center, Palo Alto, California. Any interested persons may appear and be heard on these items. Staff reports for agendized items are available via the City’s main website at www. cityofpaloalto.org. and also at the Planning Division Front Desk, 5th Floor, City Hall, after 2:00 PM on the Friday preceding the meeting date. Copies will be made available at the Development Center should City Hall be closed on the 9/80 Friday. NEW BUSINESS. Study Session: 1. Review and Comment on the Bus Rapid Transit Plan. Staff presentation on the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) – Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project including recommended station locations, street alignments, and enhanced bus operations on 10-minute headways. The BRT project replaces the existing VTA Rapid Bus service along El Camino Real between San Jose and Palo Alto. The new BRT project includes enhanced buses with green technology, more comfortable seats and modern interiors. BRT Stations will include enhanced shelters and rapid ticketing equipment to help reduce dwelling time and increase bus travel times. El Camino Real will be transformed into a transit-oriented street with dedicated bus lanes through portions of the corridor with center-street platform stations. Staff will present specific proposed improvements in Palo Alto. Public Hearing: 2. Draft Density Bonus Ordinance Review (SB1818) Recommendation to the City Council to adopt the draft Density Bonus ordinance including the “menu” of approved concessions as defined in Government Code Section 65915. Questions. For any questions regarding the above items, please contact the Planning Department at (650) 329-2441. The files relating to these items are available for inspection weekdays between the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This public meeting is televised live on Government Access Channel 26. ADA. The City of Palo Alto does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations to access City facilities, services or programs, to participate at public meetings, or to learn more about the City’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), please contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at 650.329.2550 (voice) or by e-mailing ada@cityofpaloalto.org. *** Curtis Williams, Director of Planning and Community Environment
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