How can Redwood City make El Camino Real a friendlier place, with more walking, bicycling, and transit use, a better connection to the downtown and transit center, with more affordable housing, and economic success including for current businesses?

The City is hosting a community forum on Wednesday, November 16 at 7pm, at City Hall, 1017 Middlefield Road. Come if you can, and feel free to share reports in blog comments, or to us at friends@friendsofcaltrain.com

Some learnings from earlier meetings. Residents and businesses are interested in improving the area for walking, which would be more comfortable and better for business. Safety issues including above average collision rates at intersections, and long distances between street crossings.

There is a ongoing discussion about how to make the area for bicycling. Studies show that bicycling facilities are valuable for shopping main streets such as El Camino, since a majority of trips are for errands and other non-work purposes.

Other concerns include how to make it easier for owners with small properties to redevelop, including shared parking, while protecting existing businesses that want to stay.

See this document for more on the plan in progress.