Responding to a new Santa Clara County clampdown on construction activities, Palo Alto is suspending construction of its largest infrastructure project: the six-level garage in the California Avenue business district.
The city announced its decision to wind down construction of the garage at 250 Sherman Ave., as well as several other projects, on Wednesday, a day after the county issued a new order banning all public works projects that are not deemed essential to government operations. While construction on the garage progressed Thursday afternoon, city officials say these activities are necessary for safely winding down operations before work is suspended for the duration of the stay-at-home order.
"Under the new Order, City infrastructure projects are considered essential only if they relate specifically to safety or to health care as it relates to supporting the COVID-19 emergency," the city announced in its daily coronavirus newsletter. "Since this is not the case with the majority of our projects, discussions are underway with contractors to safely suspend work for projects such as the Animal Shelter Medical Suite Remodel, Cal Ave Parking Garage and Utilities water main and sanitary sewer main replacement projects on Fulton Street and Ruthelma Avenue."
The county's revised order, which counties throughout the Bay Area announced on Tuesday afternoon, extends the shelter-in-place rules from April 7 to May 3. It also includes several new restrictions pertaining to construction. In addition to restricting public work projects, the new order also prohibits construction of residential projects that do not devote at least 10% of their units to affordable housing.
The new restrictions kicked in at a time when Palo Alto's ambitious 2014 infrastructure plan was just hitting its stride, with the first project (a new fire station near Rinconada Park) crossing the finish line last month, the garage scheduled for completion this summer and the new bike bridge over U.S. Highway 101 just entering the construction phase. The delay of the California Avenue garage also will postpone the biggest project on the city's list: a new public-safety building that the city plans to construct at 350 Sherman Ave., a lot adjacent to the new garage.
The county's March 16 order prohibited various forms of construction, including commercial developments, but gave wide leeway to public works projects. After it was issued, Palo Alto had suspended work on sidewalk repairs, on the Charleston-Arastradero traffic calming project and on the reconstruction and expansion of the Junior Museum and Zoo, according to the city's announcement.
The March 31 order went further and, in addition to restricting many public works projects, also banned construction of residential developments, while making an exception for those that offer at least 10% of their units for affordable housing. According to city spokeswoman Meghan Horrigan-Taylor, four residential projects in Palo Alto meet this requirement, which means they will be allowed to continue construction.
These projects are:
• 2755 El Camino Real, the former Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority site at El Camino and Page Mill Road where Windy Hill Property Ventures is constructing 57 "workforce housing" units.
• 425 Page Mill Road, a mixed-use project with 16 housing units, of which five are designated for affordable housing.
• 2515 El Camino Real, a mixed-use development at the former Olive Garden site that includes 13 residential units, including two dedicated to affordable housing.
• 3877 El Camino Real, a mixed-use development at the former site of Compadre's Bar and Grill, that includes 17 units, with two designated for affordable housing.
While the county's new order explicitly states "Most construction – residential and commercial – is prohibited," the directive may sound hollow to some residents in the Mayfield and Ventura neighborhoods, which are in close proximity to both the new garage and to three of the four residential projects. Numerous residents have expressed their concerns – to the City Council, to city staff and to the Weekly – about safety hazards associated with workers congregating at construction sites and traveling to and from the city.
Contractors, for their part, have instituted new measures to prevent and curtail the spread of COVID-19 among its workforce, as well as between company workers and the surrounding community. Nibbi Brothers, the company building the project at 2515 El Camino Real, has released a list of protocols for its work crews, which include temperature scans for every worker three times per week, symptom checks for employees before they enter the workspace and disinfecting all commonly touched surfaces, as well as bathrooms and break rooms, three times daily, according to the company's protocols.
A COVID-19 manager is now at every company site every day, according to the company, and managers meet every morning to update protocols based on the latest guidance, according to the company.
"We are doing everything possible to mitigate the exposure and spread of the Covid-19 virus as much as possible," Joe Olla, the company's vice president for business and marketing told the Weekly. "We continue, as information is provided, to add and modify our safety protocols and guidelines to ensure the health and safety of our employees and workers and families.
"Not only them, but also the communities we work in. Obviously, we don't want a worker exposed and walking around the neighborhood."
Swinerton, the contractor working on the California Avenue garage, is also taking precautions to comply with social-distancing guidelines, according to the company. These include staggering work breaks and lunch schedules to limit opportunities for workers to congregate; disinfecting equipment and common areas; and providing personal protective equipment to workers, a company spokesperson told the Weekly last week.
Even so, concerns about the construction activities remain. Horrigan-Taylor said several community members also have reached out to the city in the past few days to ask why work on the garage project continues, even after the county order. She told the Weekly that the contractors had been "directed to suspend work and to do so in a manner that is safe."
"Securing the construction site in a safe manner could take several days," Horrigan-Taylor said. "That is what they are doing now."
Find comprehensive coverage on the Midpeninsula's response to the new coronavirus by Palo Alto Online, the Mountain View Voice and the Almanac here.
Comments
Fairmeadow
on Apr 3, 2020 at 2:38 pm
on Apr 3, 2020 at 2:38 pm
It is beyond absurd that construction is allowed to continue just because a project has at least 10% of its units allocated to affordable housing. How are these projects that include a small amount of affordable housing any safer to continue working on during the coronavirus pandemic? Santa Clara county health officials, including Sara Cody who is being modeled as some sort of local hero, must know that by allowing this construction to continue they have not done everything they could to reduce the spread of covid and their decision may cause more spread and cost lives. It is amazing to see that the politically correct agenda of affordable housing can even trump public safety in such dire times.
Embarcadero Oaks/Leland
on Apr 3, 2020 at 3:20 pm
on Apr 3, 2020 at 3:20 pm
Projects that have a tiny percentage of BMR are just as dangerous vis-a-vis CV19 spread as project that don't. It is immoral to put the entire community at risk because a project supposedlyh as a couple of BMR units. it's crazy.
Duveneck/St. Francis
on Apr 3, 2020 at 4:17 pm
on Apr 3, 2020 at 4:17 pm
I wonder when all is said and done how the statistics on the virus spread in crowded areas will fall out. Will dense areas far outdo suburban areas like Palo Alto in cases and deaths. Will places like South of Market areas of dense apartment complexes in San Francisco see more cases per capita than less dense areas. Will be interesting to find out. If Palo Alto Forward had their way would we be worse off?
Barron Park
on Apr 3, 2020 at 5:56 pm
on Apr 3, 2020 at 5:56 pm
so far 10 million americans have filled for unemployment insurance the last two weeks 10 million !!! Deaths from covid so far 5 to 6 thousand.....thousand, yes thousand
when all of you wealthy , stay at home professionals clamor for "stay at home" how about think of all those lives ruined doing service jobs. And oh yeah!! government bailout to save those at need, well maybe a few, but not the many.....
Midtown
on Apr 3, 2020 at 8:10 pm
on Apr 3, 2020 at 8:10 pm
The ban on various construction projects is irrational. If proper workplace distancing is observed, then why should it be banned? The same folks complaining about workers building needed projects and housing are the same ones who think nothing of lining up at Trader Joes (or any other markets) as long as they are 6' apart...when most construction workers are farther apart. This is an emotional response, period!
When will this woman enforcing these irrational construction bans be replaced?
Professorville
on Apr 3, 2020 at 8:34 pm
on Apr 3, 2020 at 8:34 pm
Been posting about this for 2 days. It’s an emotional and illogical decision, esp when you consider that the existing rules were having a positive effect.
What, if anything has changed to merit tightening the restrictions now? Pols and leaders would be well served to provide an explanation beyond “these are uncertain times” or “out of an abundance of caution”.
Old Palo Alto
on Apr 3, 2020 at 9:45 pm
on Apr 3, 2020 at 9:45 pm
Those are just suggestions only as Palo Alto is not enforcing the County's order.
And the city hasn't changed its tune. Do you see information regarding where to report violations?
If this is a serious health emergency where everyone's cooperation is needed to succeed, then act like it.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Apr 3, 2020 at 11:21 pm
on Apr 3, 2020 at 11:21 pm
>> "... esp when you consider that the existing rules were having a positive effect."
Looks to me like cases and deaths in Santa Clara County have doubled in the past week. Were we expecting them to triple?
Professorville
on Apr 4, 2020 at 5:51 am
on Apr 4, 2020 at 5:51 am
I predict that soon ALL construction will stop!
Old Palo Alto
on Apr 4, 2020 at 8:04 am
on Apr 4, 2020 at 8:04 am
Away from the Covid theme....I thought 425 Page Mill was going to be a boutique hotel? Is there still a hotel? When did it become housing?
Midtown
on Apr 4, 2020 at 10:23 am
on Apr 4, 2020 at 10:23 am
So only projects with “10% of their units for affordable housing” may contine.
Huh, didn’t realize that this virus was financially selective.
Midtown
on Apr 4, 2020 at 12:22 pm
on Apr 4, 2020 at 12:22 pm
@ Anneka: "I predict that soon ALL construction will stop!" Sounds like you support such an irrational outcome...why?
Professorville
on Apr 4, 2020 at 3:52 pm
on Apr 4, 2020 at 3:52 pm
Kevin, The leaders of our country at all levels have been going back and forth on many pandemic issues and regulations. The latest is the facial masks, where they first told us not to wear them, because it would not help against the virus. Now, we are getting to a point where that decision has been reversed.
With regard to construction, I have no specific feeling about the situation one way or the other, except that we put the workers, whom I believe are mostly from Spanish background, in severe danger, because it is nearly impossible to keep distance when working in construction. Moreover, there are now reports that a very large percentage of COVID infected people have no symptoms.
I believe the city's decision to allow the construction of residential development where at least 10% is dedicated to affordable housing is a political one, and one to "encourage" other developers to include that percentage in their developments as well. However, as we learn more about the COVID virus, the city's decision. may possibly be reversed soon.
I think that the pandemic will change the way we live and work. What will the word "affordable" mean after all is said and done?
Professorville
on Apr 4, 2020 at 3:53 pm
on Apr 4, 2020 at 3:53 pm
Kevin and all, so sorry. The previous message was from me and not from Kevin.
Anneke
Embarcadero Oaks/Leland
on Apr 4, 2020 at 5:12 pm
on Apr 4, 2020 at 5:12 pm
Projects in which 10 percent are dedicated to "affordable" housing pose the exact same danger to the public as any other construction project, so the decision to allow them was political and meant to appease housing advocates while endangering the entire population.
Midtown
on Apr 5, 2020 at 12:55 pm
on Apr 5, 2020 at 12:55 pm
@Anneke and Mauricio: More irrational responses...sad. Construction work, if properly socially distanced and controlled is LESS risky than standing in line (6' apart) at the grocery store. Those advocating for a shut down of well-controlled construction jobs are not only delaying badly needed new construction or renovation project, but also taking away badly needed money by the workers. Time to become rational!
Embarcadero Oaks/Leland
on Apr 5, 2020 at 2:54 pm
on Apr 5, 2020 at 2:54 pm
There are no badly needed new construction projects, only necessary projects that are giveaway to developers. Scientists and pandemic experts have determined that any construction is dangerous to the public right now, and I'l take their advise over pro constructions advocates even in these anti science dark days.
Palo Verde
on Apr 5, 2020 at 3:02 pm
on Apr 5, 2020 at 3:02 pm
The decision to allow construction is not politics, it is public interest. The public interest in having affordable housing is greater than the minuscule chance of construction workers getting sick. Or to put it another way, why are grocery stores still open even though grocery store workers are just as likely to get sick as clothing store workers? It's because the public interest in purchasing groceries outweighs the risk.
Embarcadero Oaks/Leland
on Apr 5, 2020 at 4:07 pm
on Apr 5, 2020 at 4:07 pm
The public interest is not having very expensive units with Beverley Hills price tags for well paid tech workers disguised as "affordable housing". Food is an absolute essential, there is no life without access to food, hence grocery stores. Comparing six and seven figure housing construction to food supply during a pandemic is absolutely mind boggling.
Minuscule chance of construction workers getting the virus? Are you a pandemic scientist?
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Apr 5, 2020 at 5:06 pm
on Apr 5, 2020 at 5:06 pm
Posted by mauricio, a resident of Embarcadero Oaks/Leland
>> Minuscule chance of construction workers getting the virus? Are you a pandemic scientist?
I don't know what the chance is for construction workers, but, I know that the chance of getting the virus while surfing alone is miniscule. Yet, they cited someone in LA (yesterday) for doing just that. I'm not saying that they were wrong to cite him, but, we need to keep the real problem in sight. Surfers aren't going to catch the "big one" while riding a wave, they are going to yak with others on the beach or in the parking lot.
Is there a way for construction workers to safely work with no chance of sharing viruses? I don't know. There might be, but, when I was younger, people used to share sodas and what not. I assume that it is mainly the social interactions on a worksite that make it too easy to forget social distancing.
Palo Alto High School
on Apr 5, 2020 at 9:30 pm
on Apr 5, 2020 at 9:30 pm
Depends on what type of construction. Working in an enclosed environment with an infected person would be dangerous. Similar to being in a classroom, office, lab, waiting room, conference room, train, bus, restaurant/bar, store, sharing a car/truck, hospital room, ship, plane. It's the shared enclosed air space.
Mountain View
on Apr 6, 2020 at 11:30 am
on Apr 6, 2020 at 11:30 am
And in the mean time, two single family homeowners in our neighborhood just have started non-essential home improvement projects --- 2 days AFTER the modified Shelter In Place regulations banned such construction on Wed March 29. These scofflaws hopefully will shut down for putting the rest of Santa Clara County at increased risk of socially transmitted Covid-19. This is a time to be socially responsible, not grossly irresponsible and selfish.
Adobe-Meadow
on Apr 6, 2020 at 12:08 pm
on Apr 6, 2020 at 12:08 pm
Stop the project at 2755 El Camino. In case anybody has forgotten...'workforce housing', a new word coined at the time, was meant for the techies in town so they wouldn't have to commute. It would only be affordable to them and a few others earning equivalent incomes.
Midtown
on Apr 6, 2020 at 12:30 pm
on Apr 6, 2020 at 12:30 pm
There are many of what could be considered non-essential businesses currently open. For example, mechanics and gas stations (who needs them if people are forced to stay at home?). Grocery stores could be shut down, too... people could be forced to use shopping/delivery services, instead of staying 6' apart in lines, then coming much closer when inside the store. A well regulated construction project is NOT as risky as doing these activities. I think it just makes some people irrationally mad when they see people working at anything that they don't directly benefit from.
Charleston Meadows
on Apr 6, 2020 at 1:28 pm
on Apr 6, 2020 at 1:28 pm
Mauricio,
Thank you for your sane postings, as usual. Fighting provocateurs is a thankless job. They know that a few units of "affordable" - ha! - housing are not essential, whereas grocery shopping is. Now their activities can lead to multiple deaths. Mathematical modeling shows that transferring the virus from anyone who can be asymptomatic may lead to up to 40 deaths the way this infection works. That is ... if you believe in science, not hearsay, of course. Statements like "construction work can be done safely" is just irresponsible blabbering, nothing more.
Stay safe.
Old Palo Alto
on Apr 6, 2020 at 1:34 pm
on Apr 6, 2020 at 1:34 pm
@ Kevin....it's the so called "privileged." It's always about them.
Mayfield
on Apr 6, 2020 at 1:56 pm
on Apr 6, 2020 at 1:56 pm
I live at Mayfield. Last week it was a rare occasion to leave our Shelter in Place county order and for my son's birthday gift. I ventured out for a short walk for take-out dinner at Chipotle. It was 4pm closing time at 2515 ECR luxury multi home site at the former Olive Garden. Day laborers were packing up their older model sedans lined up along ECR and Ash Street (as there is no other job site parking available). They were not wearing face coverings and were only about 4 feet from where I was walking past. They were haphazardly and quickly tossing tools and their work clothing into their cars parked along ECR. Far from being careful. My major concern: They are traveling here from all over the Bay Area for non-essential work on luxury homes for the rich. They eat lunch from many locales along Cal-Ave. These are jobs not related to our county Emergency! I am not sure who gets the 10% BMR units later as there is no indication this housing will be designated or connected to Covid-19 immediate recovery. I have also observed workers communicating on the job site only within inches of each other faces without any face coverings. When walking past on the sidewalk the other day I was forced to fully turned away as to not expose my breath to their 3/4 foot distance from me or my son. I so worry that we are making our community more vulnerable to Covid-19 spread by continuing what I see in non-essential work on privately owned housing projects. These are not union wage jobs associated with any connection to emergency response to this Pandemic. As well I want to know how the City is directing our homeless to safe, dry shelter. There is a motel right next to 2515 that would be a wonderful place to house our most vulnerable living unsheltered and could easily contract Covid from any source of "free" amenities they find along ECR. Also how about a hand washing honey pot at the Soccer Field on the corner of ECR and Page Mill. I have spoken with about 5 different homeless individuals here. One was hacking and coughing sitting down, leaning up against the now closed Vista Center. At a 8 foot distance I safely inquired if he needed help and was he aware of the Pandemic. He said he was fine and yes knew of the wide spread sickness. I was not convince. Please City of Palo Alto address both of what I have commented on above. The PA Daily reports do not emphasize our most vulnerable homeless and elderly out there on the streets of our town.
another community
on Apr 6, 2020 at 2:37 pm
on Apr 6, 2020 at 2:37 pm
A slow down of construction is necessary and expected. However, construction companies need to remain open and allowed to work at least for the necessary and emergency situations that may arise.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Apr 6, 2020 at 3:43 pm
on Apr 6, 2020 at 3:43 pm
Stanford West Apartments, owned by Stanford University and located in PA, has contractors on site today (and last week) performing NON-ESSENTIAL/NON-URGENT "backflow repairs" to many of it's buildings. What's worse, is that the repairs involve turning off the water supply to hundreds of residents' apartments for 4-5 hours! Half a day with no water, during a mandatory government shelter-in-place, is irresponsible and unacceptable. According to the city utilities department, this work could have and should have been cancelled. Shame on Stanford for the absence of concern and consideration for its employees and their families who reside there.
Palo Verde
on Apr 6, 2020 at 4:05 pm
on Apr 6, 2020 at 4:05 pm
The project at 2755 El Camino is operating entirely within the law and regulations and will not be shutdown. The project is providing a meaningful benefit to the community and workers should be commended for doing their job professionally during these trying times. [Portion removed.]
Charleston Gardens
on Apr 6, 2020 at 7:44 pm
on Apr 6, 2020 at 7:44 pm
Most of the non union construction workers live paycheck to paycheck, if they do not work they do not eat. Most of them do not give a rats ass what folks on this forum think, they have mouths to feed.
Duveneck/St. Francis
on Apr 6, 2020 at 8:15 pm
on Apr 6, 2020 at 8:15 pm
Wrong priorities - are you a resident of stanford west? If so, what did the office tell you when you complained? If you are not a resident, how do you know the work is non essential?
But glad to see one aspect of Palo alto life has not changed?
Barron Park
on Apr 8, 2020 at 12:32 am
on Apr 8, 2020 at 12:32 am
Good. We don't need that parking garage on California Ave anyway. They never should have built it in the first place
Embarcadero Oaks/Leland
on Apr 8, 2020 at 7:41 am
on Apr 8, 2020 at 7:41 am
I passed this morning a private home construction site on Louis Rd that does not completely comply with the construction halt. There are open meal boxes with food leftovers lying everywhere, some on the sidewalk. When I passed it the other day, I could see and hear the worker working on the roof coughing and spitting into the wind. Yesterday they had a truck deliver some equipment and several workers were huddled together, not keeping any social distance. People who think construction workers are extremely unlikely to pass the virus have no idea what they are talking about.
Charleston Gardens
on Apr 8, 2020 at 9:18 am
on Apr 8, 2020 at 9:18 am
[Post removed.]
Embarcadero Oaks/Leland
on Apr 8, 2020 at 4:11 pm
on Apr 8, 2020 at 4:11 pm
I also see gardeners, who are not supposed to even work these days, use gas leaf blowers, who are technically banned, to blow dust and who knows what else into the air. What if they actually blow the coronavirus into the air and unsuspecting people end up breathing it in? What's even worse, since I'm doing lots of walking while stuck in Palo Allto, I have noticed police cars driving by constructions sites and homes, where workers and gardeners were violating the halt on construction and gardening in broad daylight, while ignoring the violations. Explanation please.
Professorville
on Apr 10, 2020 at 11:07 pm
on Apr 10, 2020 at 11:07 pm
[Post removed.]