In the State of the City Address that he delivered on May 4, East Palo Alto Mayor Ruben Abrica presented a vision of East Palo Alto that could rival, on a much smaller scale, the image of San Francisco. He shared his belief that East Palo Alto could one day have a new reputation and a new image as the little City by the Bay. He asked his listeners to think of East Palo Alto as a City by the Bay with a strong spirit, next to a beautiful creek, the San Francisquito Creek.
Certainly for many that description brings to mind a lovely little city with parks, a protected and preserved Cooley Landing with walking trails, shops, recreation areas, a lively waterfront and scenic bay views. It's a futuristic vision for East Palo Alto and it would be a real reversal of the image that many have of East Palo Alto as a problematic place with inner city problems.
The vision Mayor Abrica put forth is certainly one toward which the city could strive. Being known as the little City by the Bay would certainly be a lovely appealing image and a positive description for East Palo Alto. It's certainly a vision worth thinking about. So, do you think Abrica's vision of East Palo Alto, as a lovely little City by the Bay, could ever become a reality? Is it a vision that the city could and should strive to achieve? Would it be a reality that you would want to pass on to the next generation?
See Mayor Abrica's State of the City Address here. What do you think?
1 comment:
Hello Henrrietta,
Thank you for your invite to comment on Ruben Abrica's vision on "The Lovely Little City By the Bay", but I'll am little taken back by the comment. I personally think that our city is already a beautiful city by the bay. We have made great strides over the years and I think we face the same struggles as other cities in all parts of the state. Crime is way down since 1992, 42% says Chief of Police Ron Davis. People come to EPA to spend their money at our new shopping centers, eat at our restaurants and I've even seen a new dentistry I will be checking out.
East Palo Alto has always been a beautiful city by the bay, it just depends on what aspect in which you're looking. My family has had businesses here for over forty years. Yes, we've had good times and bad, but what city on earth hasn't? I grew up in Palo Alto but I've always been connected to East Palo Alto through my father's church and through my friends that live here. I love East Palo Alto, and I have lived here for over 30 years, it gives me a sense of pride. Although so many of my friends and family members have moved away there are still new people to meet and old friendships still exist.
In 1999, Dr. Omowali Satterwhite brought the Neighborhood Improvement Initiative to EPA. That was one of the tipping points for EPA. EPA resident came together to improve our city, and improve we did. In Housing, Economics, Education, Recreation & Culture, Technology & Communication, Youth and Young Adult programs, Health and Human Services, Senior provisions, we sought ways to revitalize and build our community in the establishment of "One East Palo Alto" (OEPA). Today some of these program are still in force. We are a people that continue to work on our issues and as we problem solve together we will continue to flourish. Yes, East Palo Alto has always been a beautiful city by the bay and always will be.
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