A couple weeks ago Mayor Koelling shared with us her vision of the 15 acre site next to City Hall. Each of us on the City Council has ideas of what might work on this site. It is without a doubt the most important piece of property left to be developed in Foster City.
The land was purchased by Foster City when the San Mateo Unified High School District decided not to build a High School here in Foster City and deemed it as excess property. Foster City saved the site for nearly 30 years in hope that the SMUHSD would build a High School on that site, but as you know the High School was never built. I think I will finish the history of this site with my next Council Corner, so on with my vision.
I have a vision and a concept, and with this concept many different things can happen. The number one, most important, is that the site has to serve our community with as many amenities as possible.
Second, it must financially bring in a stream of revenue that will help our city maintain the amenities we now enjoy for years to come.
For the next few months the city is going to hold town hall meetings and solicit feedback to receive ideas from the public, businesses, and developers on their views of the site.
I am keeping my eyes and ears open, and most important my mind open for the best ideas. The mix of private along with public facilities will be what makes the most sense to me. I do hope that a senior assisted living facility will be a part of the plan, so our seniors will have the opportunity to remain in Foster City.
What gets built here now will be seen for the next fifty years and I hope our citizens will get that many years of enjoyment and use of the land. Lastly I hope the revenue stream will last that long so the rest of Foster City can stay alive like it is now.
The City Council wants to hear from you on this topic! Contact Vice Mayor Cox at rcox@fostercity.org.
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