As we move closer to a final determination on the last 15 undeveloped acres in our City, let us keep in mind that this should encompass a community view. Over the past few years we have all read, seen or heard various versions of visions for this project.
The interesting thing about visions is they are sometimes subjective, often times objective, and always confusing as they relate to the artist’s preconceived notion of what the landscape portrait will ultimately resemble.
As your elected representative I have listened to the concerns, needs and desire of you my fellow community members. Each one of us is but one voice that comprises the 30,000 people whose visions must be taken into account in order to complete the master piece.
The colors on the artist’s palette reflect mixed use; education, elderly housing, downtown retail, and entertainment/performing arts. Adding to the mix is a need to develop some degree of income stream while at the same time attracting a developer whose interest in the project is motivated by profit.
When we examine highest and best use versus the intent of the original donor, T. Jack Foster and the Foster family, we must also realize that times change. The City now has different priorities and we must look at income stream and recognize that the sum of what equates to the highest and best use versus intended use will differ vastly between community members.
Our Town Hall meeting held on April 4th to gather community feed back was an excellent opportunity for the democratic process, of which you the voters are a vital part, to provide your Council members with direction on this pressing issue.
What is of the utmost importance for all of us as a community to understand is that what may be immaterial as benefit to some in the community is of a higher order of preference to others. The compromise lies somewhere in between.
Our final development, I believe, must complete our community. After having a chance to meet many of you and hear your visions I have come to understand that as our City has grown and changed we as a community have evolved.
Because of this our conceptions for the best use of the land in order to facilitate the entire community, not only in the present but as we look to our bright future, may look something like this:
Let’s try to envision a multi-use facility which reflects the broad based views expressed by our community members while satisfying the aesthetics of the site and guaranteeing an income stream to insure our future economic stability.
Let us start with an avenue style down town that could include an in-door soccer stadium, a Greek style theatre with retracting glass that will accommodate indoor or outdoor performances, and concession stands where boats can be rented, and quality food and beverages will be available for sale as a service to the two entertainment facilities as well as picnic lunches for those who just want to come and enjoy the day.
A school facility that addresses the educational needs of our youth and adults and perhaps a small art gallery so that we may facilitate receptions for local artists and possibly create our own in-house artist’s studio.
We must also include multi-story condominium housing which will address the housing needs of our seniors and public servants while at the same time providing sufficient profit motivation to attract a developer to build the project.
The Foster City of the future, based on this vision, will be able to attract invitational events to bring tourists here during specific times to enjoy our facilities. While here they could stay in our hotels, enjoy our restaurants, take a ride on the lagoon, and even take in a performance at the Greek style theatre all the while bringing revenue into our community.
Because of the location of the complex our lives would not be impacted since the traffic would remain on the main corridors. We could facilitate finalizing our school system, while still providing an arts and culture respite and housing so that our senior citizens can continue to live in comfort in the community where they raised their children.
This may not be the perfect answer, but with concerted community input and a lot of hard work I believe that we can all blend our visions and create what will inevitably be our masterpiece.
I can be reached via e-mail jkramis@fostercity.org
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