Palo Alto hopes to protect El Camino retail amid housing boom - San Jose Spotlight
Briefly

The Grand Boulevard Initiative aimed to revamp El Camino Real into a pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use corridor, but faced skepticism from Palo Alto city leaders. Critics highlighted the challenges posed by El Camino's shallow parcels and proximity to single-family neighborhoods, questioning the feasibility of redevelopment. Despite El Camino's history as a local arterial, it struggled to attract visitors compared to other shopping areas in the region due to its auto-oriented design. The initiative was envisioned to create a safer, more vibrant environment for pedestrians and cyclists.
The Grand Boulevard Initiative sought to turn El Camino Real from a state highway into a more attractive urban destination with a focus on pedestrian and cyclist safety.
Once the Peninsula's only highway, El Camino retains the auto-oriented character that emerged in the 1920's, making it struggle to become a destination corridor.
Read at San Jose Spotlight
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