By Khalida Sarwari
A Silicon Valley initiative will discuss its plans to give the El Camino Real a European-inspired transformation at a forum in Redwood City on Saturday.
The Grand Boulevard Initiative, comprised of a collaboration of cities, government agencies and community leaders in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, encourages cities to design neighborhoods on El Camino Real similar to those in European cities, marked by a mix of housing, shops, business and recreation, convenient access to public transportation and open
space.
“El Camino Real is the backbone of the Peninsula and Silicon Valley,” San Mateo County Transit District General Manager and CEO Mike Scanlon said in a statement. “The Grand Boulevard Initiative is an opportunity to make the most of this regional asset.”
The initiative is co-chaired by Scanlon and Russ Hancock, CEO and president of Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network.
Speakers at the forum will include urban planner Michael Freedman, California Department of Transportation Director Will Kempton, Metropolitan Transportation Commission Executive Director Steve Heminger and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo.
The forum will be held at 9 a.m. at the Fox Theater, located at 2215 Broadway. Anyone interested in attending should contact Corinne Goodrich at (650) 508-6369 to make reservations.