A Sustainable Environment
Traditionally, development projects have relied on large tracts of unused – known as greenfield – land. Times are changing. Current land use thinking has evolved in favor of limiting development to sites that are already built out – or "greyfield" sites – and improving their use through sustainable redevelopment. As a result, greyfield sites minimize impact on the surrounding environment. In fact, many actually increase the amount of available open space and improve the ecological condition of the site.
Menlo Gateway takes this leading-edge approach to the next level. The project will re-develop existing, under-utilized industrial land according to sustainable principles with the goal of achieving LEED Gold certification, even as it complies with California's rigorous statutory requirements. By combining more densely organized structures with concentrated parking in above-grade structures, more ground plane can be opened up and returned to use for pedestrian open space. Limestone, tinted and transparent glazing, prefinished metal panels, and precast concrete panels will provide light coloration and visual transparency.
Regulatory Considerations
The Menlo Gateway project is designed to comply with California legislation, including California Title 24: Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The project also will strive to meet the spirit of legislation recently enacted, such as AB 32: California Global Warming Solutions Act and SB 375: California anti-sprawl bill.
A Fact of Life – People Drive
Menlo Park residents are concerned about traffic. And with good reason. Menlo Park's thin east-west shape results in high volumes of traffic streaming through the city on its way north to San Francisco or to Silicon Valley. Making matters worse, Menlo Park also functions as the portal to Palo Alto to the south and Redwood City to the north. Without easy access to these cities from Highway 101, visitors and workers often exit Highway 101 and cut through Menlo Park to reach their destinations.
Menlo Gateway's advantage, however, lies in its excellent proximity to existing transportation infrastructure. Located east of Highway 101 along Highway 84, in an already-developed industrial park, Menlo Gateway requires no new roads or major traffic improvements. Instead, traffic to and from the project will use Highway 101, Marsh Road, Bayfront Expressway, and Independence Drive. Employees of knowledge-based businesses who currently live in Menlo Park or drive through the city could work in Menlo Gateway-based companies. Although this would add traffic to the Menlo Park street network, the economic benefits of Menlo Gateway far outweigh the possible impact.
The Bay
Storm water runoff will be treated to the maximum extent possible before leaving the site, using tree well filters, vegetated drainage swales, flow-through planters and subsurface filtration devices. Additionally, surplus storm water runoff will be retained on-site using a system of subsurface vaults and cisterns. This water may then be released to the storm drain system during dry periods or reused on-site for landscape irrigation with no resulting impacts to the San Francisco Bay.
Renewable Energy
By generating a portion of the electricity needed during peak consumption periods, the photovoltaic arrays at Menlo Gateway will help to reduce demand on the electrical grid and minimize its associated carbon impact.
Bayfront Park
Bayfront Park lies just northeast of the Menlo Gateway site. Menlo Gateway's employees, hotel guests, visitors, and ClubSport members can easily take advantage of the Park's trail system, which connects with the 240-mile San Francisco Bay Trail. Menlo Gateway would significantly enhance visitors' exposure to this civic jewel and improve awareness of its value in Menlo Park.
Outdoor Amenities
Menlo Gateway will return more of the existing industrial area to open space, providing approximately four acres of open space. Landscaping will incorporate native drought-tolerant species to reduce water consumption, and large areas of natural grasses, native shrubs, and trees will provide a strong, contextual look and feel that enhances the pedestrian experience. On-site drainage utilizes naturally vegetated swales to provide primary bio-filtration, as well as offers a measure of storm water detention. Tree-shaded parking areas and pedestrian plazas will offer seating, and water features and other amenities will create a pleasant outdoor social environment. The streets along the project sites and linkages between sites will create comfortable, safe pedestrian environments, making it easy for people to walk rather than drive.