Dear City Council: Menlo Park is one of the most expensive areas to live in. My family and I are fortunate to own a home in the Lorelei Manor neighborhood since 2004. During our 20 years as residents of this community we have seen home prices and rent prices go up with minimal expansion of the housing stock west of 101. During this time Facebook has grown exponentially creating jobs and office space in the Belle Haven neighborhood. Now our community has finally passed our Housing Element with opportunity sites west of 101 and once again my neighbors and now downtown business owners and landlords are shouting that we have to Save Menlo Park. We do indeed have to Save Menlo Park, from neighbors who would rather have towers at 80 Willow Road. Housing is a human right. Everyone deserves a safe place to live and call home. I want to see the over 50 RV dwellers behind my home in Bohannan Park, in real homes, with heat and running water. I want to see my local barista walking to work, I want to see my local Trader Joe’s employee having more time with their families and not commuting over the bridge. I want to see a vibrant downtown with business thriving because of foot traffic. I urge you to continue on the path city planners and city council have identified by exploring what indeed is possible on downtown parking lots. We can have thriving businesses because more people living in the downtown area. I urge you to approve RFQ on downtown parking lots. Menlo Park is for all of us, not just the lucky few. Margarita Mendez