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Palo Alto Sets Sights On Revitalization Grant

PALO ALTO (KCBS) - Palo Alto planned to submit an application Tuesday to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority for a $1.5 million grant to revitalize one of its shopping districts.

Critics were already making their opinions known, suggesting there was a downside to the proposed plan.

KCBS Mike Colgan Reporting:

If awarded, the grant would be used to essentially transform California Ave.

"I think it's a great idea," declared councilman Greg Scharff. "I think it will make California Ave. more pedestrian-friendly and give it more of a European style flavor. We're going to have some colored concrete and little turnouts, make the whole thing flow much better."

Scharff was wholeheartedly behind the idea, which he pointed out had already been done in neighboring communities.

Some pedestrians welcomed the concept.

"California Ave. is already kind of walkable but you know, it's looking a little bit run down, a little bit shabby and I think it would be a great addition to the area," one man said in support of the concept.

He had no objection to the possible European influence in the design.

"It's not a bad idea at all. I mean, I'm kind of a fan of mid-century modern architecture, but you know I think a lot of what's here on California Ave. could stand a facelift."

"I like that there would be more places to sit and it would be sort of a friendly, more social atmosphere perhaps on California Ave.," echoed a woman walking Monday on the subject stretch of street. "I think of having outside seating and a pleasant environment and places where you can walk easily and sit ,and groups can gather in just a kind of a relaxed atmosphere."

Critics took exception to the plan on the basis that it would turn the four lane street into just two lanes.

(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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