Public Plaza on the 600 block of Santa Cruz Avenue

Since 2023, the City Council has maintained a closure of the 600 block of Santa Cruz Avenue between Curtis Street and Doyle Street in the eastbound direction to allow for enhanced outdoor communal space and outdoor dining opportunities for restaurants adjacent to the street closure. Now, the City is designing a public plaza in a portion of that closed area, and we need your feedback on design elements. Currently, the area has temporary picnic tables and planters.

Design concepts

A location map is available online(PDF, 115KB). The Streetary outdoor dining area will occupy on-street parking spaces, but not the closed vehicle travel lane, and extend along restaurant frontage only. A previously installed bicycle lane will remain. Approximately 2,500 square feet of public space is available for programming, and approximately 1,200 square feet of space is available between the Streetary outdoor dining area and the bike lane, which is recommended as a pedestrian walkway.

An initial, high-level design concept is available for illustrative purposes. It incorporates the following design elements:
• Allow multiple uses
• Enhance safety
• Design for welcoming space and aesthetic appeal
• Activate the space with events

Community feedback

Thank you for sharing your feedback at four in-person outreach events and through the online feedback form. Your input will help shape the final design.

Timeline

Select events in the project history are listed below, beginning with the most recent event.

Upcoming in November 2025: City Council will receive public feedback, refined design concept, and information on the first phase of improvements to the public plaza.
On Oct. 22 and 23, staff hosted informational tables at the public plaza site at the 600 block of Santa Cruz Ave. View the community outreach posters.
On Oct. 19, staff hosted an informational table at the Menlo Park Farmers' Market. View the community outreach posters.
On Sept. 25, staff hosted an informational table and collected feedback at the Downtown Parking Management Study Open House. View the community outreach posters.
On July 8, the City Council held a study session on design and improvements for a public plaza in the closed portion of Santa Cruz Avenue between Curtis Street and Doyle Street in the eastbound direction. View the study session materials.

Background on street closure and public plaza design

August 29, 2023: City Council adopted Resolution No. 6860 to close a portion of Santa Cruz Avenue to allow for enhanced outdoor communal space and outdoor dining opportunities for restaurants adjacent to the street closure.

March 22, 2025: City Council discussed downtown street closures including Santa Cruz Avenue and directed staff to return with agenda items for determinations on street closures.

June 10, 2025: City Council maintained the street closure on Santa Cruz Avenue and directed staff to return with options for the public space in a study session.

July 8, 2025: City Council held a study session on design and improvements for a public plaza in the closed portion of Santa Cruz Avenue between Curtis Street and Doyle Street in the eastbound direction.

Documents

Design concept - plan view(PDF, 240KB)
Design concept - section view(PDF, 4MB)
Location map on Santa Cruz Avenue(PDF, 115KB)
July 8 City Council study session on public plaza(PDF, 4MB)
Community outreach posters(PDF, 472KB)