High Speed Rail to Run Above Ground in San Carlos

Plan Released

According to the detailed plan that was released by the California High Speed Rail Authority on Thursday, most of the high-speed rail section that will someday traverse the Peninsula and the South Bay will do so above ground, and not in an underground trench as many communities had hoped for.   According to this article in the Daily News, the Rail Authority assigned most Peninsula cities above-ground implementations since they are the least expensive, but that decision was not well received by many community leaders on the Peninsula who were lobbying very hard to minimize the intrusion of the new rail system.

Elevated? Been There, Done That…

While many communities on the Peninsula now face the first prospect of an elevated train track splitting their city, San Carlos is one of the only cities that has at least some experience in this area.   Years ago, amidst a sea of contention, San Carlos opted to elevate the Caltrain tracks through its city limits as a way to alleviate the chronic traffic tie-ups at the railroad crossings.   Opponents to the plan believed that an elevated berm would isolate the east side of the city from the west — a fear many community leaders on the Peninsula are now expressing for their own constituents.

Whether or not this was the net effect on San Carlos is a subjective matter, but what one cannot argue is the fact that traffic flow at the Howard Avenue, Brittan Avenue, and Holly Street intersections is immeasurably better since the tracks were elevated.  They’re still far from perfect, but much better than before.

A Little More Noise?

Aside from the isolation concerns, one of the biggest objections to an elevated track will be the noise impact.   It’s not a stretch to see how the wind noise and rail noise that’s generated by a train that is capable of 200 mph will be far different (and quite possibly louder) than what we’re accustomed to with CalTrain today.   Granted, the train will likely not be hitting those speeds on the Peninsula, but the noise element will be a big concern for many.

In reality, with all of the objections already being voiced by community leaders, it’s easy to see how the whole California High Speed Rail idea could spend the next decade or so in the court system…instead of fulfilling the dream of a high-speed rail backbone in California.

What are your thoughts on the High Speed Rail Initiative?

A Reminder: Shop San Carlos!

Support San Carlos Businesses.

As we head into the spring and summer months, it’s natural that we (and our kids) will be spending more time hanging out in downtown San Carlos.  We’re fortunate to have such a vibrant shopping district so close to many of our homes, one that is the envy of many surrounding communities.  It’s one of those things that makes San Carlos a great place to live, and a top choice for many home buyers.

So as you’re shopping for a Mother’s Day present, or if you’re just hunting down a killer scoop of chocolate ice cream on a warm day, be sure to make downtown San Carlos your first stop.  Many of the stores are San Carlos family-owned businesses — they’ll appreciate your patronage, and it keeps our sales tax revenue right here, where it’s truly needed.    And who knows?  You may be surprised at how many cool stores there are in San Carlos that you didn’t even know existed!

For more information on San Carlos businesses, contact the nice folks at the San Carlos Chamber of Commerce.

Hops, Shops, and a new Blog Poll.

The results from the latest White Oaks Blog poll are in, and suffice it say that San Carlans like dining out and being entertained.   The most popular answer to the poll question “What should go into the old Foodville location?“  was a brew-pub with live music.   This would certainly fit in well with the lively north-section of Laurel Street, and the that style of eating establishment would likely complement the other restaurants already running on north Laurel.

Second place was an excellent suggestion for an inexpensive family restaurant — Pluto’s was the example that was suggested, and this is a cool restaurant.  We’ve eaten at the one in Davis quite often, and it would be a good fit for San Carlos.  Regardless of the selection, the whole Foodville replacement discussion will likely be altered once the plans for the Wheeler Plaza Development become more clear.   If this development becomes a reality, the whole block around San Carlos Avenue and Laurel Street will look vastly different.

Here are the final results from the latest poll:

What should go into the “old” Foodville location?

• Brew Pub/Microbrewery with live music. (37%, 26 Votes)
• Inexpensive family restaurant (i.e. Pluto’s) (25%, 18 Votes)
• Specialty grocery store (i.e. Fresh and Easy) (15%, 11 Votes)
• Bicycle Shop. (8%, 6 Votes)
• Vietnamese Restaurant. (7%, 5 Votes)
• None of the above.  (6%, 4 Votes)
• Bookstore. (1%, 1 Vote)

The New Poll

Since Wheeler Plaza and the development of downtown San Carlos has been a common theme this week on the site, that will be the topic for the next poll.  So here’s the big question:

“Do you approve of the development that is being planned (Wheeler Plaza, Transit Village) for downtown San Carlos?”

Be sure to make your opinion known and vote on the poll!

Cowabunga, Dude! Marianne’s Ice Cream finally comes to San Carlos.

Here’s a “scoop” for you.   The Cowabunga Creamery has officially opened its doors in San Carlos this weekend, and they’re unleashing a secret weapon on unsuspecting ice cream lovers:  Marianne’s Ice Cream.  Yep, it’s true — Cowabunga Creamery will be showcasing Marianne’s Ice Cream as their main brand.

For those of you who know about Marianne’s Ice Cream and regularly visit the main shop in Santa Cruz (like my family does) you know why this is such a big deal.   Marianne’s is an institution in Santa Cruz.  Their main shop at 1020 Ocean Street in Santa Cruz is packed even on a slow day, and is simply chaotic on a warm weekend.  And for good reason — their ice cream is quite simply the BEST ice cream I have ever had.  No contest.   With flavors like Irish Coffee Chip, 10/20, 2AM Truffle, Root Beer Float, 50/50….it’s a place that puts the “die” in diets.

According to owner and San Carlos resident Bill Cotter,  Cowabunga Creamery chose to go with Marianne’s because of the quality, the flavor assortment and the connection to surf city.  Personally, I’m thrilled at this development.  Downtown San Carlos really needed a replacement (and an upgrade) for Scoops, and I always knew that any connection to Marianne’s would be a smashing success.  I can’t wait to check out their new digs.

So be sure to check out The Cowabunga Creamery for their opening weekend.  They’re located at 784 Laurel Street, and here’s their website:  Cowabunga Creamery.   Then you’ll see what the excitement is all about.

Who will take over the Siskin’s Pharmacy site?

OK, so my guess was a little off regarding what was going to become of the old Bell Market site on Laurel Street.   At least I guessed correctly that it was going to be an upscale grocery store — I still think Oxbow Market would have been a great fit, but Foodville/Bianchini’s will still work nicely.  So, now what about that nice little bit of store-front right across the street?  The former site of Siskin’s Pharmacy at 825 Laurel Street is sitting vacant waiting for a new owner.  This is the building that is adjacent to the San Carlos Post Office.

What does downtown San Carlos need in that location?  Certainly not another restaurant or coffee shop.  And we’re good on ice cream and yogurt too (although I would LOVE it if Marianne’s would open up shop in San Carlos –  simply the best ice cream in the universe IMHO.)   The Siskin’s building is exposed on the south side, so it benefits from the parking, extra visibility and window front.  So what do you think would fit there?

• Bike shop?  (The ghost of the Broken Spoke…)
• Florist?
• Music Store?   (Hello, Clocktower?)

I’m open for suggestions — leave a comment below and let us know what you think.

The Oxbow Public Market — A perfect tenant for the Bell Market building?

One of the hottest topics regarding downtown San Carlos lately has been about the future of the Bell Market site on Laurel Street. I have heard ideas kicked around that range from retail outlets, to a variety of recreation options — and of course, another grocery market. I wrote a post in this blog back in February which posed the question about the future of Bell Market, but nothing seems to be happening with it.

Of all the ideas being considered, the most logical would be another grocery store — primarily because the building is already set up to accommodate one. But what San Carlos doesn‘t need is another chain grocery store. The ideal grocery store would be something unique, definitely organic, and perhaps one that ties into the very popular Farmer’s Market that takes place every Thursday evening in the summer. Think Whole Foods, or Molly Stone’s — only better, and more unique.

White Oaks Blog reader Jeff Erickson may have come up with the best idea yet — The Oxbow Public Market. There are Oxbow locations at the San Francisco Ferry Building, and in downtown Napa that are doing quite well. Although I haven’t been to these yet, the description makes it sound like a combination of Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Draeger’s, and a little Sigona’s thrown in for the farmer’s market feel. As Jeff states, “it’s all about green, local, and extreme high quality.” You also have the ability to dine in the store, or take something home for a unique dinner (ala Drager’s and Whole Foods.)

Check out Oxbow’s website below, as well as a very informative post on the Napaman’s Blog:

• Oxbow Public Market

• Napaman.com
  

This certainly sounds like it would be a very good fit for Laurel Street. I have no doubt that it will succeed, and it bring another level of chic to downtown San Carlos. A huge thanks to Jeff Erickson for carrying the torch on this one!!

Thoughts? Comments?