Hello 2010 – what’s next for Menlo Park?

What are the issues and events that will shape the lives of Menlo Park residents in 2010? Looking back at 2009 yields a guide.

When the  Almanac News, which covers not only Menlo but also the towns of Woodside, Atherton and Portola Valley, looked at the five top stories of 2009, Menlo took three of the spots:

• Future development, in particular the reshaping of downtown Menlo and the proposal for an office/hotel project in eastern Menlo
• Foreclosures the Belle Haven neighborhood
• Overcrowding in the Menlo Park City School District, despite rebuilding efforts on various campuses

Add to this lineup the discussion about and opposition to the proposed high speed rail, ongoing efforts to make Menlo a greener place, the impact of the economy on local retail and employment as well as the real estate market — and 2010 looks far from dull.